Dataset Information

Occurrence and fate of per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in residential wastewater treated with nitrogen-removing biofilters

ABSTRACT: Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are designed for the removal of pathogens and nutrients from septic effluent. However, many other contaminants are widespread in wastewater, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other trace organic chemicals. We analyzed per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in residential septic effluent and investigated their fate in nitrogen-removing biofilters (NRBs), an innovative and alternative type of OWTS. We measured concentrations of 23 targeted PFASs in septic effluent pre- and post-NRB treatment in nine residential OWTSs. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates were generally enriched in NRB effluent versus influent while perfluoroalkyl sulfonates appeared to be partially removed during NRB treatment. Grab sampling results were highly variable but passive sampling (microporous polyethylene tubing containing WAX sorbent) consistently showed greater PFAS levels post-NRB treatment. High-resolution mass spectrometry screening of composited grab samples using two different workflows (suspect screening and untargeted analysis with ion mobility spectrometry) resulted in tentative identifications of 40 additional PFASs not included on the target list. The average mass defect of features identified as potential PFASs was significantly lower (p = 0.014) in post-NRB samples. This, along with increasing concentrations of PFCAs in effluent, suggest transformation of polyfluorinated precursors to more highly fluorinated end products in the NRB.

INSTRUMENT(S): 6560 Q-TOF LC/MS, 6545 Q-TOF LC/MS

ORGANISM(S): Na

SUBMITTER: Carrie McDonough

PROVIDER: MSV000097952 | MassIVE | Wed May 21 09:31:00 BST 2025

REPOSITORIES: MassIVE

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Emerging investigator series: identification and transformation of per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in residential wastewater and effluent from alternative treatment systems.

Smolinski Rachel R Oates Meghan M Venkatesan Arjun K AK Gobler Christopher J CJ McDonough Carrie A CA

Environmental science. Processes & impacts 20250616

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) are designed for the removal of pathogens and nutrients from septic effluent. However, many other contaminants are widespread in wastewater including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other trace organic chemicals. We analyzed per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in residential septic effluent and investigated their fate in nitrogen-removing biofilters (NRBs), an innovative and alternative type of OWTS. We measured concentrations of 22 tar ...[more]

PMID: 40522249

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