Role of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in environmental cycling of poly- and perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds

• DOI: 10.19040/ecocycles.v2i2.62
• Publication Date: 2016-12-18T15:22:25Z
• Authors: Hanna Hamid; Loretta Li
• Keywords: Biosolids

The role of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in environmental cycling poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) through aqueous effluent, sludge air emission has been critically reviewed here. Understanding the WWTPs can provide better understanding global persistent PFASs assist formulating relevant policies. review suggests that WWTP effluent is a major source acids (PFAAs) surface water. Land application biosolids (treated sludge) shown preferential bioaccumulation short chain (<C7) PFAAs various plant compartments, leading to possible contamination food cycle. Elevated concentration (1.5 15 times) ?PFASs have reported at aeration tanks on sites, compared reference sites not contaminated with emission. neutral important implications considering long-range transport subsequent degradation compounds occurrence recalcitrant pristine remote environments. Research gap exist terms fate polyfluroalkyl (neutral PFASs) during wastetwater aquatic terrestrial environment. Considering wide range commercially available PFASs, measuring only perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) perfluorosulfonic (PFSA) lead underestimation total PFAS load derived from WWTPs. Knowledge pathways receiving environments, outlined this study, help adopting best management practices reduce release