The development of diffusive equilibrium, high-resolution passive samplers to measure perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater

A field-validated equilibrium passive sampler for the monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediment pore water and surface water

“…Additional research is also needed to assess if this passive sampler could be used for the monitoring of longerchain compounds (i.e., compounds that have more than 10 carbons), which have been shown by McDermett et al to have high adsorption affinity to the sampler components in their study. 29 In regards to PFAS adsorption to surfaces, studies have shown that the tendency of PFAS to partition to surfaces increases as the ionic strength of the solution increases. [54][55][56] Thus, additional study is needed to evaluate the adsorption of PFAS to the sampler components as well as the migration of PFAS into the sampler in solutions containing elevated…”

“…Regarding PFAS sampling by equilibrium passive samplers, there have been only four studies, namely (1) the study by Dixon-Anderson and Lohmann on the use of LDPE sheets for the monitoring of neutral PFAS (e.g., uorotelomer alcohols) in wastewater treatment effluent, 26 (2) the study by Becanova et al on the passive sampling of anionic PFAS (i.e., peruoroalkyl acids) in surface water by a graphene-based monolith, 27 (3) the study by Kaltenberg et al who employed a passive sampler with carbamate polymeric adsorbents to monitor PFAS in surface water and groundwater, 28 and (4) the study by McDermett et al who proposed a diffusive equilibrium peeper sampler for the monitoring of anionic PFAS in groundwater. 29 Whereas the passive samplers in the rst three studies consisted of a solid receiving phase (i.e., the accumulation of PFAS into the sampler is driven by adsorption), the sampler developed by McDermett et al employed water as the receiving phase (i.e., PFAS accumulation is driven by absorption). One important feature of adsorptive-based samplers is that the analytes of interest are preconcentrated on the adsorbent, which could lower the detection limit.…”

“…It is noted that of the four studies mentioned above, the LDPE sheet, the graphene-based monolith, and the carbamate polymeric adsorbent were tested in the eld, [26][27][28] whereas the diffusive equilibrium sampler has only been tested in a laboratory environment. 29 Considering the limited number of studies on passive sampling of PFAS, particularly by equilibrium samplers, the objective of this study was to develop and validate an equilibrium passive sampler for sediment pore water and surface water. To this end, a sampler with water as the receiving phase was constructed and tested through a series of bench-scale experiments for its ability to monitor some key PFAS, including peruorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and per-uorooctanoate (PFOA).…”

“…, perfluoroalkyl acids) in surface water by a graphene-based monolith, 27 (3) the study by Kaltenberg et al who employed a passive sampler with carbamate polymeric adsorbents to monitor PFAS in surface water and groundwater, 28 and (4) the study by McDermett et al who proposed a diffusive equilibrium peeper sampler for the monitoring of anionic PFAS in groundwater. 29 Whereas the passive samplers in the first three studies consisted of a solid receiving phase ( i.e. , the accumulation of PFAS into the sampler is driven by adsorption), the sampler developed by McDermett et al employed water as the receiving phase ( i.e.…”

“…It is noted that of the four studies mentioned above, the LDPE sheet, the graphene-based monolith, and the carbamate polymeric adsorbent were tested in the field, 26–28 whereas the diffusive equilibrium sampler has only been tested in a laboratory environment. 29…”