Cited by 186Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchGroundwater flow and contamination studiesFluoride Effects and Removal

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Transport from Groundwater to Streams near a PFAS Manufacturing Facility in North Carolina, USA

Pétré, Marie-Amélie, Genereux, David P., Koropeckyj-Cox, Lydia, Knappe, Detlef R.U., Duboscq, Sandrine, Gilmore, Troy E., Hopkins, Zachary R.·2021·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

We quantified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) transport from groundwater to five tributaries of the Cape Fear River near a PFAS manufacturing facility in North Carolina (USA). Hydrologic and PFAS data were coupled to quantify PFAS fluxes from groundwater to the tributaries. Up to 29 PFAS were analyzed, including perfluoroalkyl acids and recently identified fluoroethers. Total quantified PFAS (ΣPFAS) in groundwater was 20-4773 ng/L (mean = 1863 ng/L); the range for stream water was 426-3617 ng/L (mean = 1717 ng/L). Eight PFAS constituted 98% of ΣPFAS; perfluoro-2-(perfluoromethoxy)propanoic acid (PMPA) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) accounted for 61%. For PFAS discharge from groundwater to one tributary, values estimated from stream water measurements (18 ± 4 kg/yr) were similar to those from groundwater measurements in streambeds (22-25 ± 5 kg/yr). At baseflow, 32 ± 7 kg/yr of PFAS discharged from groundwater to the five tributaries, eventually reaching the Cape Fear River. Given the PFAS emission timeline at the site, groundwater data suggest the abundant fluoroethers moved through the subsurface to streams in ≪50 yr. Discharge of contaminated groundwater may lead to long-term contamination of surface water and impacts on downstream drinking water supplies. This work addresses a gap in the PFAS literature: quantifying PFAS mass transfer between groundwater and surface water using field data.

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Crossref · 10.1021/acs.est.0c07978

Cites

43 of 43 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 10

  1. Geosyntec Consultants of North Carolina, Inc., 2019, Cape Fear River PFAS Loading Reduction Plan
  2. DeVane S., 2019, Chemical Contamination Discovered Nine Miles from Chemours
  3. NC DEQ, 2020, Hydrogeology: Hydrogeologic Framework Database Access
  4. Wagner A., 2017, Chemours: GenX Polluting the Cape Fear Since 1980
  5. NC DEQ, 2018, Division of Air Quality Summary of Chemours Self-Reported PFAS Emissions, 2012-2016
  6. Chemours Company, 2019, December Monthly Emissions Report Pursuant to Paragraph 8
  7. Concawe, 2016, Environmental Fate and Effects of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Report No. 8/16
  8. Babuin, J.; Genereux, D. P.; Knappe, D. R. Coupled Groundwater and Volatile Organic Compound Fluxes through a Streambed Contribute to Off-Site Migration of Contaminants in a Coastal Plain Stream, North Carolina ; Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2015; Vol. 47, No. 7, p 320. Https://Gsa.Confex.Com/Gsa/2015AM/Webprogram/Paper265579.Html.
  9. Coastal Review Online. PFAS Levels Spike In Cape Fear Water. 2019. Https://Www.Coastalreview.Org/2019/06/Pfas-Levels-Spike-in-Cape-Fear-Water/. Coastal Review Online. Jun 6, 2019.
  10. Talton, T. GenX: Looking Closer At Chemours’ Plan. 2020. Coastal Review Online. https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/04/genx-looking-closer-at-chemours-plan/.

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Authors
Pétré, M.-A., Genereux, D. P., Koropeckyj-Cox, L., Knappe, D. R. U., Duboscq, S., Gilmore, T. E., & Hopkins, Z. R.
Affiliations
  • North Carolina State University (US)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (US)
  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln (US)
Corresponding author
  • Pétré, Marie-Amélie
  • Genereux, David P.
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2021-04-02
Volume
55
Issue
9
Pages
5848-5856
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W3096956288
Cited by
184
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 1
FWCI
10.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Lincoln (University of Nebraska) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Sigma Xi
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Groundwater flow and contamination studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Fluoride Effects and Removal
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS transport, groundwater discharge, baseflow, GenX, PMPA, perfluoroalkyl acids, Cape Fear River, surface water contamination, drinking water supply
MeSH terms
Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities, Fluorocarbons, North Carolina, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Groundwater

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