Analyses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the urban water cycle: Toward achieving an integrated analytical workflow across aqueous, solid, and gaseous matrices in water and wastewater treatment

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145257
• Publication Date: 2021-01-22T01:21:06Z
• Authors: Lloyd J. Winchell; Martha J.M. Wells; John J. Ross; Xavier Fonoll; John W. Norton; Stephen Kuplicki; Majid Khan; Katherine Y. Bell
• Keywords: Water cycle

Our knowledge of PFAS fate and transport in the urban water cycle between treatment plants (WTPs) wastewater (WWTPs) is dependent upon analytical methodology. To conduct a mass balance through these engineered systems, environmental chemistry must be leveraged to quantify various media that facilities. Although balances have been attempted across unit processes for small selection WTPs WWTPs, system-wide are daunting challenge not achieved date. The continued existence legacy constantly moving target newly emerging commercial transformation products (TPs), addition complications resulting from bias-free collection uncontaminated samples parts-per-trillion (ppt) range, complicate balance. Further compounding diverse universe which consists polar/nonpolar, nonvolatile/semi-volatile/volatile, neutral/anionic/cationic/zwitterionic chemicals. physicochemical properties chemicals, they exist, drive appropriate procedures provide accurate precise quantification compounds. current state science development methods specific subgroups families limited matrices. Here, approaches integrate workflows types proposed. In this evaluation, multi-platform targeted, suspect/non-targeted, surrogate screening combining promulgated standardized presented. Synthesis comprehensive workflow aspires achieve gaseous, solid, aqueous matrices encountered WWTPs Finally, research data gaps future needs also discussed.