Groundwater Pollution by Perfluorinated Surfactants in Tokyo

Abstract

Perfluorinated surfactants (PFSs) in groundwater were analyzed to reveal their distribution and sources. Sixteen groundwater and spring samples were collected from the Tokyo metropolitan area, and nine PFSs, including perfluorooctane-sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A column test using artificial street runoff was also performed to study their behavior. PFSs were detected in all groundwater samples, some at concentrations comparable to those in wastewater and street runoff, suggesting widespread contamination of groundwater by PFSs. In particular, PFOS -was more abundant in groundwater than in rivers, wastewater, and street runoff. This was attributed to its production from the degradation of its precursors, as supported by the column test. The occurrence of short-chain perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) in groundwater was also consistent with the results of the column test, showing that limited amounts of short-chain PFCAs were removed by soil, as the efficiency of removal increased with the chain length. We evaluated the contributions of PFCAs from wastewater and surface runoff to groundwater by using two indicators, the long/(short + long) ratio and the even(even + odd) ratio. Both ratios showed good agreement in their calculated contributions in heavily contaminated groundwater where breakthroughs likely occurred. Wastewater and surface runoff contributed to 54-86% and 16-46% of PFCAs, respectively, in groundwater.

Występowanie perfluorowanych związków organicznych w środowisku i fizykochemiczne metody usuwania ich z roztworów wodnych

“…Przykładem punktowego źródła emisji związków perfluorowanych może być np. użytkowanie pian gaśniczych [44], zrzut ście-ków komunalnych i przemysłowych [4]. Badania Schultza wykazały obecność PFOA i PFOS w ściekach surowych i oczyszczonych w 10 oczyszczalniach ścieków w USA [57].…”

Source analysis of perfluorocarboxylates in Tokyo Bay during dry weather and wet weather using sewage markers

“…[33] Murakami et al surveyed sources of perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) in groundwater in Tokyo using differences in PFS compositions among sources and suggested that surface runoff contributed to between 16 and 46% of PFCAs. [10] Consistent findings show that non-point sources play important roles in contamination by PFCAs, but not by perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFASs). [24,32,33] The entry of PFSs, especially PFCAs, from surface runoff into waters is a matter of concern.…”

“…potassium salt of PFOS, 570 mg L À1 at 24-258C; PFOA, 9500 mg L À1 at 258C), [3,4] bioaccumulative, [5,6] and environmentally persistent. Owing to these features, PFSs have been ubiquitously detected in surface water, [7][8][9] groundwater, [10] seawater, [11][12][13][14] drinking water, [15] aquatic organisms, [16,17] and humans. [18,19] As PFSs are suspected of being carcinogenic, of being chronic and reproductive toxicants, and of having adverse effects on humans and other animals, [20][21][22] concerns about PFSs are increasing.…”

Biodegradation Property of 8:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol (8:2 FTOH) under Aerobic/Anoxic/Anaerobic Conditions

“…However, the highest thermal stability of C-F bond [1] makes PFAAs persistent pollutants that they have been globally detected in soil [2], sediment [3], surface water [4], groundwater [5], seawater [6], landfill leachate [7], indoor dust [8] etc., as well as human beings [9]. Because of the global distribution and similar property with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and the related substances were newly added as Annex B substance of POPs under the Stockholm Convention in 2009 [10].…”