Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast of Brevard County, FL, reveals distinct spatial clusters

Aquatic Vegetation, an Understudied Depot for PFAS

“…The IRL, and Brevard County in 70,71 It is hypothesized that a major contributor of PFAS into the IRL is aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) used by two major aeronautical facilities: Patrick Air Force and Kennedy Space Center (KSC), as well as from the many surrounding airports. Consistent with a previous investigation of PFAS in surface water, 33 concentrations in AV were found to be greater in the Banana River Lagoon, one of the three lagoons in the IRL system adjacent to PAFB and KSC (Figure 5a). Following the IRL, the sites with the highest average ∑PFAS (ng/g) in all AV were OK (13.5 ± 14.3), WS (7.79 ± 4.91), TB (3.96 ± 3.03), FB (3.62 ± 4.23), CH (3.46 ± 3.82), SQ (2.29 ± 2.12), and then CR (0.69 ± 0.36; Table 1).…”

“…The highest average ∑PFAS measured in all species were detected in the Indian River Lagoon, excluding emergent species, which were not collected at this location. The IRL, and Brevard County in particular, are one of the most extensively studied areas in the United States with regard to PFAS contamination, as elevated levels are routinely measured in wildlife, surface water, and groundwater. ,− Some of the highest PFAS concentrations in groundwater have been measured in the IRL near Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB). Concentrations of PFOA+PFOS exceeded 4,000,000 ppt (ng/L) in groundwater, almost half a million times greater than the newly established interim Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) health advisory limits of 0.004 and 0.02 ppt for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, respectively. , It is hypothesized that a major contributor of PFAS into the IRL is aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) used by two major aeronautical facilities: Patrick Air Force and Kennedy Space Center (KSC), as well as from the many surrounding airports.…”

“…28,30,31 Additionally, the distribution of PFAS within an aquatic system may be influenced by geographic characteristics including flow rate, atmospheric conditions, seasonal variations such as changes in water level, and proximity to anthropogenic sources. 32,33 Future studies should explore, both in a laboratory setting and within complex ecosystems, the impact of environmental factors on the fate, transport, and uptake of PFAS in AV.…”

“…For example, changes in salinity and temperature of hydroponically grown wheat plants significantly modified the uptake and translocation of four PFAS . It is also likely that the presence, uptake, and accumulation of PFAS within AV is dependent upon the physiochemical properties of PFAS, such as chain length, headgroup, degree of fluorination, and ionic state. ,, Additionally, the distribution of PFAS within an aquatic system may be influenced by geographic characteristics including flow rate, atmospheric conditions, seasonal variations such as changes in water level, and proximity to anthropogenic sources. , Future studies should explore, both in a laboratory setting and within complex ecosystems, the impact of environmental factors on the fate, transport, and uptake of PFAS in AV.…”

“…While Florida comprises large expanses of natural coastlines and protected areas, increasing population growth and coastal development pose a continued threat to water quality and thus to the biodiversity of Florida’s ecosystems. , Despite increased knowledge of PFAS pollution in Florida’s coastal waterways, many areas with high contaminant burdens remain understudied. Previous research has quantified PFAS in sediments and surface water. ,− However, the levels of these highly persistent compounds in AV, especially in Florida’s increasingly urbanized estuaries, remains unknown. In the present study, eight aquatic environments throughout Florida with varying levels of AV cover, including submerged vascular plants (mainly seagrasses), macroalgae, and emerging wetland plants, were investigated for the presence and abundance of PFAS.…”