An investigation into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in nineteen Australian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)

Abstract

Quantifying the emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from Australian wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is of high importance due to potential impacts on receiving aquatic ecosystems. The new Australian PFAS National Environmental Management Plan recommends 0.23 ng L −1 of PFOS as the guideline value for 99% species protection for aquatic systems. In this study, 21 PFAS from four classes were measured in WWTP solid and aqueous samples from 19 Australian WWTPs. The mean ∑ 21 PFAS was 110 ng L −1 (median: 80 ng L −1 ; range: 9.3–520 ng L −1 ) in aqueous samples and 34 ng g −1 dw (median: 12 ng g −1 dw; range: 2.0–130 ng g −1 dw) in WWTP solids. Similar to WWTPs worldwide, perfluorocarboxylic acids were generally higher in effluent, compared to influent. Partitioning to solids within WWTPs increased with increasing fluoroalkyl chain length from 0.05 to 1.22 log units. Many PFAS were highly correlated, and PCA analysis showed strong associations between two groups: odd chained PFCAs, PFHxA and PFSAs; and 6:2 FTS with daily inflow volume and the proportion of trade waste accepted by WWTPs (as % of typical dry inflow). The compounds PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA increased significantly between influent and final effluent. The compounds 6:2 FTS and 8:2 FTS were quantified and F–53B detected and reported in Australian WWTP matrices. The compound 6:2 FTS was an important contributor to PFAS emissions in the studied Australian WWTPs, supporting the need for future research on its sources (including precursor degradation), environmental fate and impact in Australian aquatic environments receiving WWTP effluent.

Landfill leachate contributes per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceuticals to municipal wastewater

“…Although the total volume of leachate disposed was just 1.7% of the total daily flow into the paired WWTP, there was substantial load contribution of PFAS, NVDOC, and select pharmaceuticals to WWTP influents from the disposal of landfill leachate. Consistent with load trends previously reported, [55][56][57] total effluent loads for PFOA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFHpA, MeFBSAA, PFBS, and PFHxS were larger than corresponding influent loads, indicating microbial degradation of transformation precursor compounds during the treatment process can result in highly persistent and even toxic compounds. 63,64 Due to the well-documented role of NVDOC in facilitating transport of co-contaminants, the potential role of leachate-derived NVDOC to the persistence and bioavailability of these PFAS compounds into the waste stream warrants further study.…”

“…54,55 Total effluent loads for PFOA (300 g d (Table ESI-6 †), and consistent with load trends previously reported. 56,57 For the 79 nonprescription and prescription pharmaceuticals and hormones detected across all samples, 44 (56%) were detected in effluent. Total concentrations for detected nonprescription pharmaceuticals in effluent ranged from 9.00 to 2450 ng L −1 , whereas prescription pharmaceutical concentrations ranged from 1400 to 10 800 ng L −1 ( Table 2).…”

PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding

“…Wastewater‐treatment facilities receive PFAS in influent and discharge PFAS in treated effluent and biosolids (Sinclair and Kannan 2006; Coggan et al 2019). Treated effluent can be a source of PFAS exposure if it is discharged to a water body that is used as a drinking water source.…”

Redefining Water Treatment: Identification of WWTPs as an Earth System Problem and Circular Economic Eco-Bog System to Challenge It

“…Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, (PFAs) are of emerging concern for aquatic ecosystems, thus agriculture and food health, and their amount to be treated also depends on the industrial facilities which are discharging into sewage. In Australia, which is a developed country, [34] calculated the mean ∑PFAS to be 110ng/L from samples taken from 19 WWTPs, investigating 21 types of PFAs in solid and aqueous samples. In Assamra WWTP discharging into Zarqa River in Jordan, which is a developing country, [35] have calculated the influent ∑PFAS to be 10-15ng/L and effluent ∑PFAS to be 14-24 ng/L, concluding that treatment in the facility was poor.…”