A Comprehensive Statewide Spatiotemporal Stream Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in an Agricultural Region of the United States

Abstract

Public concern regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has grown substantially in recent years. In addition, research has documented multiple potential agriculture-related release pathways for PFAS (e.g., biosolids and livestock manure). Nevertheless, little research on the environmental prevalence of PFAS has been conducted in agricultural regions of the United States. To fill this gap, we conducted the first statewide spatiotemporal assessment of PFAS in Iowa streams across a region of intense agricultural activity. At least one PFAS was detected at 19 of the 60 stream sites sampled (32%) with 10 different PFAS detected statewide. The number of PFAS detected in the stream samples ranged from one to nine. While PFAS were detected in agricultural streams, sites with the most PFAS detected and in the highest concentration were small, effluent-affected streams where wastewater treatment plant discharge is driving stream PFAS concentrations. No individual PFAS had an exposure:activity ratio (EAR) of >1.0 (exposure concentration shown to trigger observed adverse biological activity). Five stream locations, however, had at least one EAR of >0.001, a precautionary effect screening threshold. Additional targeted temporal sampling would be beneficial to specifically capture potential agricultural source applications and corresponding runoff conditions to fully characterize the prevalence of PFAS in such agricultural systems.

Tapwater Exposures, Effects Potential, and Residential Risk Management in Northern Plains Nations

“…Briefly, TW samples were analyzed by USGS using seven organic (6 classes; 476 total/468 unique analytes), five inorganic (34 ions/trace elements), and two field (3 parameters) methods (Table S2) and by USEPA using three in vitro bioassay (ER, AR, and GR) methods, as discussed ,,, and described in detail previously. − Organic analytes included cyanotoxin, disinfection byproduct(s) (DBP), pesticide, per/polyfluoroalkyl substance(s) (PFAS), volatile organic compound(s) (VOC), and pharmaceutical classes; additional method details are in the Supporting Information. All results are in Tables S3–S4 and S8 and in Romanok et al , Quantitative (≥limit of quantitation, ≥LOQ) and semiquantitative (between LOQ and long-term method detection limit, MDL , ) results were treated as detections. ,, Quality-assurance/quality-control included analyses of six field blanks, as well as laboratory blanks, spikes, and stable-isotope surrogates.…”

Contaminant Exposure and Transport from Three Potential Reuse Waters within a Single Watershed

“…Water sample analyses included quantification of 242 pesticides; 41 , 42 107 pharmaceuticals; 43 53 household/industrial chemicals; 44 58 halogenated chemicals, 13 48 semivolatile chemicals, 45 46 hormones, 14 34 PFAS; 46 33 antibiotics, 47 22 disinfection byproducts (DBPs), 48 and nonvolatile dissolved organic carbon (NVDOC). 49 Pesticide, pharmaceutical, hormone, antibiotic, DBP, and NVDOC analyses were conducted on filtered samples, whereas all other organic analyses were conducted on unfiltered samples.…”

Food, Beverage, and Feedstock Processing Facility Wastewater: a Unique and Underappreciated Source of Contaminants to U.S. Streams

“…FPWW samples were analyzed by USGS laboratories using 10 target organic (576 unique analytes), 13 inorganic (32 unique analytes), and 18 microbial (15 bacterial groups) methods (Tables S1 and S2). Analyses conducted at USGS laboratories included the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) in Lawrence, Kansas (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) antibiotics; LC–MS/MS glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA); LC–MS/MS ionophores and mectins; and LC–MS/MS steroid hormones, hormone conjugates, phytoestrogens, progestins, and mycotoxins), the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Denver, Colorado [gas chromatography MS (GC/MS) volatile organic compounds (VOCs); LC–MS/MS pesticides and pesticide transformation products (TPs); neonicotinoids; LC–MS/MS human-use pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical metabolites, and polar organic compounds; LC–MS/MS PFAS; , and nutrients − ], the Redox Chemistry Laboratory (RCL) in Boulder, Colorado (trace elements − ), and the Michigan Bacteriology Research Laboratory (MIBaRL) in Lansing, Michigan (bacterial growth , ). Method information is available in Tables S1 and S2 and in the companion data release…”