Cited by 111Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchLandfill Environmental Impact StudiesEnvironmental Chemistry and Analysis

Aerobic biotransformation of fluorotelomer compounds in landfill leachate-sediment

Hamid, Hanna, Li, Loretta Y., Grace, John R.·2020·Science of The Total Environment

Abstract

Consumer products containing fluorotelomer polymers are a source of fluorotelomer compounds to the environment following their disposal at landfills. The fate and transformation of fluorotelomer compounds are unknown in landfill leachates. This study investigates the aerobic biotransformation of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS) in landfill leachate-sediment microcosms using batch tests. Spiked 8:2 FTOH, 6:2 FTS and their known biotransformation products were quantified in sediment-leachate and headspace over 90 days under aerobic conditions. 8:2 FTOH and 6:2 FTS biotransformation was slow (half-life >>30 d) in landfill leachate-sediment microcosm, suggesting persistence of fluorotelomer compounds under the conditions investigated. Significant volatilization (>20%) of 8:2 FTOH was observed in the microcosm headspace after 90 days. C6 - C8 and C4 - C6 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were the most abundant products for 8:2 FTOH and 6:2 FTS, respectively. PFCAs accounted for 4-9 mol% of the initially spiked parent compounds at 90 days. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the single most abundant product of 8:2 FTOH (>2.8 mol% at 90 days). The unaccounted mass (20 to 35 mol%) of the initially spiked parent compounds indicated formation of fluorotelomer intermediates and sediment-bound residue. Overall the findings suggest that aerobic biotransformation of fluorotelomer compounds acts as a secondary source of long- and short-chain (≤C7) PFCAs in the environment. Partitioning of semi-volatile fluorotelomer compounds (e.g., 8:2 FTOH) to the gas-phase indicates possible long-range transport and subsequent release of PFCAs in pristine environments. Short-chain fluorotelomer replacements (e.g., 6:2 FTS) result in a higher abundance of short-chain PFCAs in landfill leachate. Future research is needed to understand the long-term exposure effects of short-chain PFCAs to humans, aquatic life and biota.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136547

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Authors
Hamid, H., Li, L. Y., & Grace, J. R.
Affiliations
University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Li, Loretta Y.
Venue
Science of The Total Environment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-04
Volume
713
Pages
136547
ISSN
0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2999983699
Cited by
111
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9
FWCI
4.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Schlumberger Foundation
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (CGSD3-475849-2015)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Landfill Environmental Impact Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
Keywords
fluorotelomer alcohols, fluorotelomer sulfonates, aerobic biotransformation, landfill leachate, perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorooctanoic acid, volatilization, biotransformation products, long-range transport, microcosm
MeSH terms
Aerobiosis, Alkanesulfonates, Biotransformation, Fluorocarbons, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Biota, Waste Disposal Facilities

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