Nontarget Identification of Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Soils from an Oil Refinery in Southwestern China: A Combined Approach with TOP Assay

Zhao, Maosen; Yao, Yiming; Dong, Xiaoyu; Baqar, Mujtaba; Fang, Bo; Chen, Hao; Sun, Hongwen

doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c05859

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Such transformation processes might be an important PFSA source, potentially helping to explain unidentified precursors in the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay analysis . While this work focuses on the concentration and distribution of PASXs in the abandoned fluorochemical park, the developed nontarget protocol also opens a door to discover other novel PASX species in many environmental scenarios, such as consumer products or other PFAS-related environments, such as AFFF-impacted soil ,, and polyfluorinated ether production . This approach could change PASXs from inferred precursors to measured intermediates.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nontarget Discovery of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Sulfonyl Halides in Soils by Integration of Derivatization and Specific Fragment-Based Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Screening

Wang,

Xiao,

Liu

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Though long recognized as synthetic precursors to other poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), most poly-and perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl halides (PASXs) cannot be directly measured and have generally received minimal attention. Inspired by the redox reaction between sulfonyl halide groups and ptoluenethiol in organic chemistry, we developed a novel nontarget analysis strategy for PASXs by intergrating derivatization and specific fragment-based liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry screening for m/z 82.961 [SO 2 F − ] and m/z 95.934 [S 2 O 2 − ]. By using this strategy, we discovered 11 PASXs, namely, perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl fluorides (5), polyfluoroalkyl sulfonyl fluorides (2), unsaturated perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl fluoride (1), and perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl chlorides (3) in soil samples collected from an abandoned fluorochemical manufacturing park. These average ∑PASXs concentrations were 1120 μg kg −1 (range: 9.7−9860 μg kg −1 ), which were very likely to be the key intermediates and undesired byproducts of electrochemical fluorination processes. Spatial variation in the mass ratio of ∑PASXs to ∑PFSAs (range: 0.7−795%) also indicates their different transportation pathways. More importantly, the decline of PASXs and increase of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (when compared to a prior study at this site) suggest the continued hydrolysis of PASXs and the relatively fast environmental transformation rates in the abandoned fluorochemical park soils. Overall, these findings demonstrated the utility of a novel nontarget analysis strategy, which may change most PASXs from inferred precursors to measured intermediates and further could be adapted for structures, distribution, and transformation studies of PFASXs in other matrices.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nontarget Discovery of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Sulfonyl Halides in Soils by Integration of Derivatization and Specific Fragment-Based Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Screening

Wang,

Xiao,

Liu

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Volatile PFAA precursors, such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) present in the lubricant products when oxidized, can convert into various PFCAs with varying carbon chain lengths such as PFPeA (C5), PFHxA (C6), PFHpA (C7), and PFOA (C8) at various molar proportions. The oxidation of these precursors is also known to increase PFAS levels found in soil samples taken near oil refineries where many lubricants begin production [129], thus proving that the remediation of PFAS would need to extend to all levels of a lubricant s life cycle.…”

Section: Synthetic Lubricant Additivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forever Chemicals, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in Lubrication

Dias,

Bons,

Kumar

et al. 2024

Lubricants

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, exhibit exceptional chemical stability and resistance to environmental degradation thanks to their strong C-F bonds and nonpolar nature. However, their widespread use and persistence have a devastating impact on the environment. This review examines the roles of PFAS in tribological applications, specifically in lubricants and lubricating systems. This article focuses on conventional and advanced lubricants, including ionic liquids (ILs) and their use in modern automotive vehicles. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the adverse impacts of PFAS whilst acknowledging their outstanding performance in surface coatings, composite materials, and as additives in oils and greases. The pathways through which PFAS are introduced into the environment via lubricating systems such as in seals and O-rings are identified, alongside their subsequent dispersion routes and the interfaces across which they interact. Furthermore, we examine the toxicological implications of PFAS exposure on terrestrial and aquatic life forms, including plants, animals, and humans, along with the ecological consequences of bioaccumulation and biomagnification across trophic levels and ecosystems. This article ends with potential remediation strategies for PFAS use, including advanced treatment technologies, biodegradation, recovery and recycling methods, and the search for more environmentally benign alternatives.

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“…In addition to 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA), emerging 6:2 FT-based PFAS, such as 6:2 fluorotelomer thioether amido sulfonate (6:2 FtTAoS), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylamine (6:2 FTAA), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide amine oxide (6:2 FTNO), have been increasingly detected in contemporary AFFF formulations in recent years. ,,− In fact, patented products related to these chemicals have been in production and use in AFFF since the 1970s . Consequently, these emerging 6:2 FT-based PFAS have been widely detected in soil, ,, groundwater, surface water, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) − affected by AFFF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7,8,10−16 In fact, patented products related to these chemicals have been in production and use in AFFF since the 1970s. 10 Consequently, these emerging 6:2 FT-based PFAS have been widely detected in soil, 3,4,17 groundwater, 4 surface water, 2 and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) 18−21 affected by AFFF. AFFF-derived polyfluoroalkyl compounds, commonly referred to as "precursors", have the potential to undergo microbial transformation in the environment, leading to the formation of more persistent perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stability and Biotransformation of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid, Sulfonamide Amine Oxide, and Sulfonamide Alkylbetaine in Aerobic Sludge

Fang,

Zhang,

Chen

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide (6:2 FTSAm)-based compounds signify a prominent group of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely used in contemporary aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations. Despite their widespread presence, the biotransformation behavior of these compounds in wastewater treatment plants remains uncertain. This study investigated the biotransformation of 6:2 FTSAm-based amine oxide (6:2 FTNO), alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA) in aerobic sludge over a 100day incubation period. The biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylamine (6:2 FTAA), a primary intermediate product of 6:2 FTNO, was indirectly assessed. Their stability was ranked based on the estimated half-lives (t 1/2 ): 6:2 FTAB (no obvious products were detected) ≫ 6:2 FTSA (t 1/2 ≈28.8 days) > 6:2 FTAA (t 1/2 ≈11.5 days) > 6:2 FTNO (t 1/2 ≈1.2 days). Seven transformation products of 6:2 FTSA and 15 products of 6:2 FTNO were identified through nontarget and suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The transformation pathways of 6:2 FTNO and 6:2 FTSA in aerobic sludge were proposed. Interestingly, 6:2 FTSAm was hardly hydrolyzed to 6:2 FTSA and further biotransformed to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Furthermore, the novel pathways for the generation of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from 6:2 FTSA were revealed.

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Nontarget Identification of Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Soils from an Oil Refinery in Southwestern China: A Combined Approach with TOP Assay

Cited by 18 publications

References 77 publications

Nontarget Discovery of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Sulfonyl Halides in Soils by Integration of Derivatization and Specific Fragment-Based Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Screening

Nontarget Discovery of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Sulfonyl Halides in Soils by Integration of Derivatization and Specific Fragment-Based Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Screening

Forever Chemicals, Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in Lubrication

Stability and Biotransformation of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid, Sulfonamide Amine Oxide, and Sulfonamide Alkylbetaine in Aerobic Sludge

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