Cited by 53Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactEnvironmental Chemistry and Analysis

Sorption and partitioning of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) onto sediments of Diep and Plankenburg river systems Western Cape, South Africa

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Fagbayigbo, B.O, Opeolu, B.O., Fatoki, O.S., Olatunji, O.S., Akharame, M.O., Human, I.S.·2022·Environmental Technology & Innovation

Abstract

Partitioning behaviour of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in sediments obtained from river systems were investigated in this study. The partitioning coefficient (log KOC) and distribution coefficient (log KD) of PFOA and PFOS between sediments and the aqueous solution were estimated from the sorption data. Levels of PFOA and PFOS in the sediment samples ranged between 30.01–191.96 ng/g dw and 0.50–248.14 ng/g dw, respectively. The kinetic study showed that the time required for equilibrium was <400 min for the compounds. Sediment samples SS-C provided the highest sorption capacities (0.11 and 0.13 mg/g) for both PFOA and PFOS. Sorption studies revealed that the removal kinetics fitted well into the Elovich rate equation (R2=0.98 and 0.92) followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2=0.91 and 0.89) for PFOA and PFOS, respectively. Mean values for the partitioning coefficient (log KOC) in the river systems were 1.04 ± 0.26 and 1.85 ± 0.65 (cm 3/g) for PFOA and PFOS respectively. Partitioning coefficient (log KOC) significantly (p < 0.05) increased over time. This study represents the first report on partitioning and distribution of PFOA and PFOS in sub-Sahara Africa, which provide data and a scientific base to understand the fate and sorption of PFOA and PFOS in an aquatic system. The findings showed that lower pH values and increasing ionic strength favours sorption and partitioning of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous solution onto sediments; hence, plays an important role in their availability in water. Presence of PFAS in the aquatic system sediments is a potential risk to organisms.

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  • Long-chain PFAS tend to partition to river sediments.

    “Long-chain PFAS tend to partition to river sediments (Fagbayigbo et al., 2022; Kolpin et al., 2021), so these findings may reflect that the Mississippi River is a major receiver of industrial and municipal wastewater or that Mississippi River sediments may serve as a source of sorbed and remobilized long-chain PFAS (Balgooyen and Remucal, 2022).”

    From PFAS in Iowa drinking water sources: Chemical and geospatial patterns (2025) · cites this paper as Fagbayigbo et al., 2022

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Authors
Fagbayigbo, B. O., Opeolu, B. O., Fatoki, O. S., Olatunji, O. S., Akharame, M. O., & Human, I. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
  • Cape Peninsula University of Technology (ZA)
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
Corresponding author
Fagbayigbo, B.O
Venue
Environmental Technology & Innovation
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-02
Volume
25
Pages
102110
ISSN
2352-1864 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3214789177
Cited by
53
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5
FWCI
2.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Environmental Technology & Innovation (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • National Research Foundation (84185)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
Keywords
perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOS, perfluorinated compounds, sediment sorption, partition coefficient, distribution coefficient, sorption kinetics, Elovich model, pseudo-second-order kinetics, river sediments, pH effect on sorption, ionic strength effects

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