Occurrence and source identification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the Metedeconk River Watershed, New Jersey

Abstract

The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA), which relies on the Metedeconk River as its primary source of water supply, initiated a perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) source trackdown study in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) after discovering that the concentration of one PFAA, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), was elevated at their raw surface water intake. Water samples were collected over eight sampling events between September 2011 and July 2014. Samples included surface water, groundwater, stormwater, sanitary sewer water, and commercial/industrial process water. Each sample was analyzed for ten PFAAs. Results from a set of samples collected from the 80 km South Branch Metedeconk River watershed directed the focus of this study to a 7.5-km area of interest. Within this area, a high concentration of PFAA contamination was documented in a localized zone. Subsequent groundwater sampling led to the identification of a plume of groundwater contamination emanating from an industrial/business park. The suspected source of PFAA detected in the river and drinking water intake was identified to a small industrial facility that used materials containing PFOA. Groundwater PFOA concentrations as high as 70,000 ng/L were found in samples taken within 200 m of the parcel and surface water concentrations as high as 130 ng/L were observed in the river. While various PFAAs were detected in the samples, particularly in groundwater samples, PFOA was identified as the primary contaminant of concern with respect to the river and the BTMUA water supply.

Pilot‐scale comparison of granular activated carbons, ion exchange, and alternative adsorbents for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal

“…Furthermore, conventional secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment has not been shown to remove PFAS from effluents (Plumlee et al, 2008; Zietzschmann et al, 2014). Stormwater runoff has also been shown to contain PFAS with concentrations ranging from 10 to 139 ng/L (Murakami et al, 2009; Page et al, 2019; Procopio et al, 2017; F. Xiao et al, 2012). PFAS have been detected throughout the Orange County aquifer within the general zone of influence of the recharged river water.…”

Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in the United States: Seasonal Patterns and Meta-Analysis of Long-Term Trends and Average Concentrations

“…Otherwise, (1) WWTPs within studies that reported averages only would be underweighted and (2) the distribution of PFAS concentrations would appear to be narrower than the true distribution. Three studies for wastewater influent or effluent and one study for biosolids were omitted on the basis of this criterion. ,− If multiple stages of wastewater treatment were sampled, only the final, most treated sample (e.g., disinfected tertiary effluent but not the preceding secondary effluent) was included to avoid double-counting WWTPs.…”

Bioretention Design Modifications Increase the Simulated Capture of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Trace Organic Compounds

“…For our airport scenario, we used PFOA and 1H-benzotriazole (referred to herein as benzotriazole) as model compounds. PFOA is a PFAS listed as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” by the U.S. EPA, among other toxic effects, and has been found at concentrations associated with adverse health effects in water. , PFASs are used in aqueous film forming foam used in firefighting at airports. , Benzotriazole is a compound used as a corrosion inhibitor in automotive antifreeze and aircraft deicing fluids …”