Characterizing PFASs in aquatic ecosystems with 3D hydrodynamic and water quality models

Jingjie Zhang; Huiting Chen; Nguyen Viet Tung; Amrita Pal; Xuan Wang; Hanyu Ju; Yiliang He; Karina Yew-Hoong Gin

Environmental Science and Ecotechnology (Nov 2024)

Characterizing PFASs in aquatic ecosystems with 3D hydrodynamic and water quality models

Jingjie Zhang,
Huiting Chen,
Nguyen Viet Tung,
Amrita Pal,
Xuan Wang,
Hanyu Ju,
Yiliang He,
Karina Yew-Hoong Gin

Affiliations

Jingjie Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore; National University of Singapore, Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Shenzhen Municipal Engineering Lab of Environmental IoT Technologies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
Huiting Chen: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
Nguyen Viet Tung: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
Amrita Pal: National University of Singapore, Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
Xuan Wang: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
Hanyu Ju: State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
Yiliang He: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
Karina Yew-Hoong Gin: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore; National University of Singapore, Environmental Research Institute, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Corresponding author. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 22
p. 100473

Abstract

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Understanding how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) enter aquatic ecosystems is challenging due to the complex interplay of physical, chemical, and biological processes, as well as the influence of hydraulic and hydrological factors and pollution sources at the catchment scale. The spatiotemporal dynamics of PFASs across various media remain largely unknown. Here we show the fate and transport mechanisms of PFASs by integrating monitoring data from an estuarine reservoir in Singapore into a detailed 3D model. This model incorporates hydrological, hydrodynamic, and water quality processes to quantify the distributions of total PFASs, including the major components perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), across water, particulate matter, and sediments within the reservoir. Our results, validated against four years of field measurements with most relative average deviations below 40%, demonstrate that this integrated approach effectively characterizes the occurrence, sources, sinks, and trends of PFASs. The majority of PFASs are found in the dissolved phase (>95%), followed by fractions sorbed to organic particles like detritus (1.0–3.5%) and phytoplankton (1–2%). We also assess the potential risks in both the water column and sediments of the reservoir. The risk quotients for PFOS and PFOA are <0.32 and < 0.00016, respectively, indicating an acceptable risk level for PFASs in this water body. The reservoir also exhibits substantial buffering capacity, even with a tenfold increase in external loading, particularly in managing the risks associated with PFOA compared to PFOS. This study not only enhances our understanding of the mechanisms influencing the fate and transport of surfactant contaminants but also establishes a framework for future research to explore how dominant environmental factors and processes can mitigate emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.

Published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology

ISSN: 2666-4984 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences; Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-science-and-ecotechnology

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