Formatted Title:

Adaptation of Polar Organic Compound Integrative Sampler for Passive Sampling of PFAS in Sediment Porewater at Contaminated Sites

Background/Objectives:

The widespread existence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represents an emerging issue due to their stability, bioaccumulation potential, and risks to human and ecological well being. Areas where PFAS have been released into the environment now pose bioaccumulation risks. PFAS-contaminated sediments and shallow groundwater present human and ecological risks associated with recreation, drinking water contamination, and bioaccumulation in fish. Contaminated sites are often located in areas populated by disadvantaged communities, and therefore consumption of fish in areas of historical pollution is an important environmental justice consideration. PFAS contamination in commercial fisheries also presents an understudied potential pathway for PFAS bioaccumulation. There is a critical need for improved knowledge of bioaccumulation and other fate and transport processes to mitigate risks associated with PFAS-contaminated sites. The objective of this research is to understand the fate and transport processes of PFAS using a passive sampler to act as a biomimetic for PFAS bioaccumulation.

Approach/Activities:

A recent study of 22 PFAS in Lake Michigan sediments revealed an average of 4.6 ng/g PFAS were present based on an extensive monitoring in the Great Lakes. This project is developing an improved understanding of PFAS transport and risks from contaminated sediments and groundwater near Lake Michigan waterways to benthic invertebrates, which are often a key risk driver at contaminated sites. Assessment of the risks of bioaccumulation of pollutants into benthic invertebrates is often accomplished using passive samplers, since direct measurement is confounded by the complexities of biological systems. The project team has developed an in-house derivative of the polar organic compound integrative sampler (POCIS) for applications to measure PFAS release from sediments. Passive sampling of sediment porewater is fundamentally different from integrative sampling of surface water, which is the typical application for POCIS, including the approach used to analyze observed accumulation in the device. The POCIS design with the appropriate resin provides a mechanism to sample the surrounding environment, whether it is surface water or saturated soil/sediment. A model is used to infer the external porewater concentration from the observed mass and other properties of PFAS in the sampler.

Results/Lessons Learned:

Experiments have shown that the model can be used to infer PFAS concentrations in the sampler over 30 days. Additional experiments are being performed presently to compare the bioaccumulation in benthic organisms and to use the device to monitor contamination in and around southern Lake Michigan. The project provides new insight into the fate and transport properties of PFAS and develop a framework that can be applied to contaminated areas to perform site assessment and remediation. The knowledge generated by this study will be applicable for analysis of other areas of historic PFAS release into soil and shallow groundwater including fire training areas, landfills, and former manufacturing facilities in heavily industrial regions such as the southern Lake Michigan. These benefits of this work will accrue to marginalized communities in affected regions. The results will be of interest to local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and the broader scientific and engineering community.

Farzad Mohammadi

Affiliation

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(Group 2, Poster Board #35) Adaptation of Polar Organic Compound Integrative Sampler for Passive Sampling of PFAS in Sediment Porewater at Contaminated Sites