Abstract

An air sampling campaign was conducted at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to investigate air concentrations and particle-gas partitioning of polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs). Samples were collected at an aeration tank and a secondary clarifier using both active high volume samplers and passive samplers comprising sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disks. Water to air transport of PFCs was believed to be enhanced at the aeration tank owing to aerosol-mediated transport caused by surface turbulence induced by aeration. Mean air concentrations of target PFCs at the aeration tank were enriched relative to the secondary clarifier by factors of similar to 19, similar to 4 and similar to 3 for Sigma fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) (11 000 v. 590 pg m(-3)), Sigma perfluorooctane sulfonamides & perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSAs & FOSEs) (120 v. 30 pg m(-3)) and Sigma perfluoroalkyl carboxylates & perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFCAs & PFSAs) (4000 v. 1300 pg m(-3)) respectively. The particle associated fraction in the atmosphere increased with increasing chain length for PFCAs (from 60 to 100%) and PFSAs were predominantly bound to particles (similar to 98%). Lower fractions on particles were found for FTOHs (similar to 3%), FOSAs (similar to 30%) and FOSEs (similar to 40%). The comparison of the active and passive air sampling showed good agreement.

Keywords

atmosphere; passive air sampler; PFC; PFOA; PFOS; WWTP

Published in

Environmental Chemistry
2011, Volume: 8, number: 4, pages: 363-371
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING

UKÄ Subject classification

Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Environmental Sciences


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/EN10133

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53645