Cited by 432Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchPharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Chemistry and Analysis

Fluorochemical Mass Flows in a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility

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Schultz, Melissa M., Higgins, Christopher P., Huset, Carin A., Luthy, Richard G., Barofsky, Douglas F., Field, Jennifer A.·2006·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

Fluorochemicals have widespread applications and are released into municipal wastewater treatment plants via domestic wastewater. A field study was conducted at a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant to determine the mass flows of selected fluorochemicals. Flow-proportional, 24 h samples of raw influent, primary effluent, trickling filter effluent, secondary effluent, and final effluent and grab samples of primary, thickened, activated, and anaerobically digested sludge were collected over 10 days and analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Significant decreases in the mass flows of perfluorohexane sulfonate and perfluorodecanoate occurred during trickling filtration and primary clarification, while activated sludge treatment decreased the mass flow of perfluorohexanoate. Mass flows of the 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate were unchanged as a result of wastewater treatment, which indicates that conventional wastewater treatment is not effective for removal of these compounds. A net increase in the mass flows for perfluorooctane and perfluorodecane sulfonates occurred from trickling filtration and activated sludge treatment. Mass flows for perfluoroalkylsulfonamides and perfluorononanoate also increased during activated sludge treatment and are attributed to degradation of precursor molecules.

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Crossref · 10.1021/es061025m

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Authors
Schultz, M. M., Higgins, C. P., Huset, C. A., Luthy, R. G., Barofsky, D. F., & Field, J. A.
Affiliations
Oregon State University (US)
Corresponding author
Field, Jennifer A.
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2006-08-26
Volume
40
Issue
23
Pages
7350-7357
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W1999036567
Cited by
432
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 26
FWCI
14.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30ES000210, #P30-ES00210)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
Keywords
fluorochemicals, perfluorinated compounds, mass flow, municipal wastewater treatment, PFHxS, perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOS, perfluorononanoate, activated sludge, biotrickling filter, anaerobic digestion, sludge, wastewater effluent, PFAS removal
MeSH terms
Chromatography, Liquid, Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated, Sewage, Waste Disposal, Fluid, Water Movements, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

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