Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Pennsylvania surface waters: A statewide assessment, associated sources, and land-use relations

Breitmeyer, Sara E.; Williams, Amy M.; Duris, Joseph W.; Eicholtz, Lee W.; Shull, Dustin R.; Wertz, Timothy; Woodward, Emily E.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164161

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Eleven PFAS were detected in the River Mersey at Westy with detection frequencies between 6% and 100% (Table S2 and Figure S4). The observed peak concentrations were 19.9 ng/L for PFOA, 14.9 ng/L for PFBS, 14.4 ng/L for PFHxS, and 12.5 ng/L for PFOS, and mean concentrations (Table S2) were similar to those observed in other urban river systems. ,− …”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Considering the complexity of PFAS loading in urban river basins, large-scale investments in upgrades to WwTWs to remove PFAS and improve river water quality need to be carefully weighed against the potential effects of unknown (point and nonpoint) sources of PFAS in river basins. Despite numerous studies and reports documenting potential sources of PFAS to rivers (e.g., landfill leachate, contaminated groundwater, runoff from agricultural land, airports, and military bases), ,,, the actual load contribution of these sources to total river PFAS export remains unknown. Our findings highlight the urgent need for catchment-scale mass loading data at high temporal resolution that can locate and “bracket” PFAS sources to rivers and quantify the loads associated with those sources.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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PFAS River Export Analysis Highlights the Urgent Need for Catchment-Scale Mass Loading Data

Byrne,

Mayes,

James

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.

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Source apportionment of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) requires an understanding of the mass loading of these compounds in river basins. However, there is a lack of temporally variable and catchment-scale mass loading data, meaning identification and prioritization of sources of PFAS to rivers for management interventions can be difficult. Here, we analyze PFAS concentrations and loads in the River Mersey to provide the first temporally robust estimates of PFAS export for a European river system and the first estimates of the contribution of wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) to total river PFAS export. We estimate an annual PFAS export of 68.1 kg for the River Mersey and report that the yield of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the catchment is among the highest recorded globally. Analysis of river and WwTW loads indicates approximately one-third of PFOA emitted from WwTWs is potentially stored in the catchment and approximately half of PFOS transported by the River Mersey may not originate from WwTWs. As governments move toward regulation of PFAS in WwTW effluents, our findings highlight the complexity of PFAS source apportionment and the need for catchment-scale mass loading data. This study indicates that strategies for reducing PFAS loading that focus solely on WwTW effluents may not achieve river water quality targets.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

PFAS River Export Analysis Highlights the Urgent Need for Catchment-Scale Mass Loading Data

Byrne,

Mayes,

James

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.

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“…Findings for PFOA corroborate similar associations between PFOA and the density of oil and gas operations that were observed by Breitmeyer et al in Pennsylvania surface waters. While not the largest contributor of PFAS to surface water identified in Pennsylvania, the authors provide some evidence of potential impacts from upstream oil and gas activities, possibly delivered to streams through discharges from combined sewer overflows . None of the groundwater sample locations in this study are located within 5 km of a documented combined sewer overflow that could serve as a conveyance mechanism to surface water and only four are located in proximity (2 km) to a known and documented wastewater treatment facility suggesting that, if oil and gas operations are a viable source of PFAS to groundwater wells in this study, another pathway must be at play.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…All three sites fall within 1 km of UOG well pads with recent drilling operations (2019−2020) and multiple active or abandoned COG wells (Figure 4B While not the largest contributor of PFAS to surface water identified in Pennsylvania, the authors provide some evidence of potential impacts from upstream oil and gas activities, possibly delivered to streams through discharges from combined sewer overflows. 25 None of the groundwater sample locations in this study are located within 5 km of a documented combined sewer overflow 111 that could serve as a conveyance mechanism to surface water and only four are located in proximity (2 km) to a known and documented wastewater treatment facility suggesting that, if oil and gas operations are a viable source of PFAS to groundwater wells in this study, another pathway must be at play. Other pathways of contamination (i.e., spills or accidental releases of low-salinity PFAS-containing fluids, atmospheric releases and dry or wet deposition, on-site herbicide applications, or emergency AFFF discharges) remain plausible, though could not be confirmed or rejected in light of the limited evidence available.…”

Section: Evaluation Of Variable Significance Using a Multivariate Lat...mentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Disperse sources of PFAS contamination include stack emissions from fluoropolymer manufacturing facilities , and agricultural applications of biosolids. , Point sources of PFAS include discharges of fire-fighting foams (AFFFs) at airports, military bases, and power plants, − as well fluid discharges from chemical manufacturing and metal-plating facilities. ,− Industrial and consumer waste streams ,− associated with sewage treatment facilities, combined sewer overflows, and landfills represent additional point sources that may contribute PFAS directly or indirectly to surface water and groundwater. Moreover, PFASs have been used in the oil and gas industry for decades as corrosion inhibitors on pipes and drilling equipment, to enhance oil recovery, and as additives to prevent evaporation of stored fuels. ,, Limited scientific attention has focused on potential environmental impacts from the use of PFAS and their precursors in the oil and gas industry, − despite documented cases of water quality impairments related to unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development for other contaminants (e.g., brines, diesel range organics, radium) − that could co-occur with PFAS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigation of Sources of Fluorinated Compounds in Private Water Supplies in an Oil and Gas-Producing Region of Northern West Virginia

Siegel,

Nason,

Warren

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of toxic organic compounds that have been widely used in consumer applications and industrial activities, including oil and gas production. We measured PFAS concentrations in 45 private wells and 8 surface water sources in the oil and gas-producing Doddridge, Marshall, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties of northern West Virginia and investigated relationships between potential PFAS sources and drinking water receptors. All surface water samples and 60% of the water wells sampled contained quantifiable levels of at least one targeted PFAS compound, and four wells (8%) had concentrations above the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Individual concentrations of PFOA and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid exceeded those measured in finished public water supplies. Total targeted PFAS concentrations ranged from nondetect to 36.8 ng/L, with surface water concentrations averaging 4-fold greater than groundwater. Semiquantitative, nontargeted analysis showed concentrations of emergent PFAS that were potentially higher than targeted PFAS. Results from a multivariate latent variable hierarchical Bayesian model were combined with insights from analyses of groundwater chemistry, topographic characteristics, and proximity to potential PFAS point sources to elucidate predictors of PFAS concentrations in private wells. Model results reveal (i) an increased vulnerability to contamination in upland recharge zones, (ii) geochemical controls on PFAS transport likely driven by adsorption, and (iii) possible influence from nearby point sources.

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Evaluating potential developmental toxicity of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Xenopus laevis embryos and larvae

Degitz,

Degoey,

Haselman

et al. 2024

J of Applied Toxicology

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As part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Action Plan, the agency is committed to increasing our understanding of the potential ecological effects of PFAS. The objective of these studies was to examine the developmental toxicity of PFAS using the laboratory model amphibian species Xenopus laevis. We had two primary aims: (1) to understand the developmental toxicity of a structurally diverse set of PFAS compounds in developing embryos and (2) to characterize the potential impacts of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide‐dimer acid (HFPO‐DA a.k.a. GenX), on growth and thyroid hormone‐controlled metamorphosis. We employed a combination of static renewal and flow‐through exposure designs. Embryos were exposed to 17 structurally diverse PFAS starting at the midblastula stage through the completion of organogenesis (96 h). To investigate impacts on PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and HFPO‐DA on development and metamorphosis, larvae were exposed from premetamorphosis (Nieuwkoop Faber stage 51 or 54) through pro metamorphosis. Of the PFAS tested in embryos, only 1H,1H,10H,10H‐perfluorodecane‐1,10‐diol (FC10‐diol) and perfluorohexanesulfonamide (FHxSA) exposure resulted in clear concentration‐dependent developmental toxicity. For both of these PFAS, a significant increase in mortality was observed at 2.5 and 5 mg/L. For FC10‐diol, 100% of the surviving embryos were malformed at 1.25 and 2.5 mg/L, while for FHxSA, a significant increase in malformations (100%) was observed at 2.5 and 5 mg/L. Developmental stage achieved was the most sensitive endpoint with significant effects observed at 1.25 and 0.625 mg/L for FC10‐diol and FHxSA, respectively. In larval studies, we observed impacts on growth following exposure to PFHxS and PFOS at concentrations of 100 and 2.5 mg/L, respectively, while no impacts were observed in larvae when exposed to PFOA and HFPO‐DA at concentration of 100 mg/L. Further, we did not observe impacts on thyroid endpoints in exposed larvae. These experiments have broadened our understanding of the impact of PFAS on anuran development.

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Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Pennsylvania surface waters: A statewide assessment, associated sources, and land-use relations

Cited by 14 publications

References 44 publications

PFAS River Export Analysis Highlights the Urgent Need for Catchment-Scale Mass Loading Data

PFAS River Export Analysis Highlights the Urgent Need for Catchment-Scale Mass Loading Data

Investigation of Sources of Fluorinated Compounds in Private Water Supplies in an Oil and Gas-Producing Region of Northern West Virginia

Evaluating potential developmental toxicity of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Xenopus laevis embryos and larvae

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