Contamination of groundwater with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from legacy landfills in an urban re-development precinct
Hepburn, E; Madden, C; Szabo, D; Coggan, TL; Clarke, B; Currell, M
HERO ID
5080507
Reference Type
Journal Article
Year
2019
Language
English
PMID
| HERO ID | 5080507 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2019 |
| Title | Contamination of groundwater with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from legacy landfills in an urban re-development precinct |
| Authors | Hepburn, E; Madden, C; Szabo, D; Coggan, TL; Clarke, B; Currell, M |
| Journal | Environmental Pollution |
| Volume | 248 |
| Page Numbers | 101-113 |
| Abstract | The extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater surrounding legacy landfills is currently poorly constrained. Seventeen PFAS were analysed in groundwater surrounding legacy landfills in a major Australian urban re-development precinct. Sampling locations (n = 13) included sites installed directly in waste material and down-gradient from landfills, some of which exhibited evidence of leachate contamination including elevated concentrations of ammonia-N (≤106 mg/L), bicarbonate (≤1,740 mg/L) and dissolved methane (≤10.4 mg/L). Between one and fourteen PFAS were detected at all sites and PFOS, PFHxS, PFOA and PFBS were detected in all samples. The sum of detected PFAS (∑14PFAS) varied from 26 ng/L at an ambient background site to 5,200 ng/L near a potential industrial point-source. PFHxS had the highest median concentration (34 ng/L; range: 2.6-280 ng/L) followed by PFOS (26 ng/L; range: 1.3-4,800 ng/L), PFHxA (19 ng/L; range: <LOQ - 46 ng/L) and PFOA (12 ng/L; range: 1.7-74 ng/L). Positive correlations between ∑14PFAS, PFOA and other perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) (e.g. PFHxA) with typical leachate indicators including ammonia-N and bicarbonate were observed. In contrast, no such correlations were found with perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) (e.g., PFOS and PFHxS). In addition, a strong positive linear correlation (R2 = 0.69) was found between the proportion of PFOA in the sum of detected perfluorinated alkylated acids (PFOA/∑PFAA) and ammonia-N concentrations in groundwater. This is consistent with previous research showing relatively high PFOA/∑PFAA in municipal landfill leachates, and more conservative behaviour (e.g. less sorption and reactivity) of PFCAs during subsurface transport compared to PFSAs. PFOA/∑PFAA in groundwater may therefore be a useful indicator of municipal landfill-derived PFAA. One site with significantly elevated PFOS and PFHxS concentrations (4,800 and 280 ng/L, respectively) appears to be affected by point-source industrial contamination, as landfill leachate indicators were absent. |
| Doi | 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.018 |
| Pmid | 30784829 |
| Wosid | WOS:000466618000012 |
| Url | https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0269749118327994 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Groundwater contamination; Landfill leachate |
| Relationship(s) |
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