Complementary Field and Laboratory Batch Studies to Quantify Generation Rates of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in a Contaminated Agricultural Topsoil with Unknown Precursors
Alexander Arthur Haluska, Klaus Röhler, Joel Fabregat-Palau, Diogo A. M. Alexandrino, Sergey Abramov, Katharine J. Thompson, Daniel Straub, Sara Kleindienst, Boris Bugsel, Jonathan Zweigle, Christian Zwiener, Peter Grathwohl
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Soil microbiome changes and generation rates of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) precursors were studied in a contaminated agricultural field using a combination of field and laboratory batch microcosm studies. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to track how microbial community composition changed over time, while perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) generation rates were quantified using a combination of field and batch incubations combined with the direct total oxidizable precursor (dTOP) assay. The study site in Brilon-Scharfenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has PFAS contamination in the topsoil (0 to 30 cm) originating from compost. Generation rate constants of these short-chain PFAA estimated from batch incubations (0.12 to 0.75 1/year) were higher but similar to rate constants from the fields (0.05 to 0.22 1/year). Long-term field mass discharge data (2009 to 2023) suggest that at least 60 years are needed to remove 99.99% of short-chain PFAA and their precursors. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data revealed a major impact of PFAA on the biodiversity of soil microorganisms, with batch-incubated contaminated soils showing higher richness and diversity indexes than field control soils. However, most of these impacts occurred at lower taxonomical ranks and did not seem to have a prominent impact on the overall structure of the autochtonous microbial communities of the soils where PFAA were produced and accumulated. Overall, our findings demonstrate that well-controlled aerobic batch test combined with the results of dTOP assay are a suitable approach for estimating short-chain PFAA generation rates. Additionally, our research suggests that the complete removal of PFAA precursors from topsoil will take decades.
期刊介绍:
Since its inception in 1981, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation® has been a resource for researchers and practitioners in the field. It is a quarterly journal that offers the best in application oriented, peer-reviewed papers together with insightful articles from the practitioner''s perspective. Each issue features papers containing cutting-edge information on treatment technology, columns by industry experts, news briefs, and equipment news. GWMR plays a unique role in advancing the practice of the groundwater monitoring and remediation field by providing forward-thinking research with practical solutions.