The unique distribution pattern of PFAS in landfill organics

PFAS from degrading landfill waste partition into organic matter, leachate, and landfill gas. Driven by the limited understanding of PFAS distribution in landfill organics, we analyzed PFAS across various depths and seven spatially distinct locations within a municipal landfill. The measured PFAS co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 479; p. 135678
Main Authors:	Saha, Biraj, Ateia, Mohamed, Tolaymat, Thabet, Fernando, Sujan, Varghese, Juby R., Golui, Debasis, Bezbaruah, Achintya N., Xu, Jiale, Aich, Nirupam, Briest, John, Iskander, Syeed Md
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Netherlands Elsevier B.V 05-11-2024
Subjects:	Carbon content Fate and transport Landfills Moisture Organic matter PFAS Vertical distribution Organic matter Carbon content Landfills Vertical distribution Moisture Fate and transport PFAS
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Summary:	PFAS from degrading landfill waste partition into organic matter, leachate, and landfill gas. Driven by the limited understanding of PFAS distribution in landfill organics, we analyzed PFAS across various depths and seven spatially distinct locations within a municipal landfill. The measured PFAS concentrations in organics ranged from 6.71 to 73.06 µg kg−1, a sum of twenty-nine PFAS from six classes. Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs) were the dominant classes, constituting 25–82 % and 8–40 % of total PFAS at different depths. PFBA was the most dominant PFCA with a concentration range of 0.90–37.91 µg kg−1, while 5:3 FTCA was the most prevalent FTCA with a concentration of 0.26–17.99 µg kg−1. A clear vertical distribution of PFAS was observed, with significantly greater PFAS concentrations at the middle depths (20–35 ft), compared to the shallow (10–20 ft) and high depths (35–50 ft). A strong positive correlation (r > 0.50) was noted between total PFAS, total carbon, and dissolved organic matter in landfill organics. Multivariate statistical analysis inferred common sources and transformations of PFAS within the landfill. This study underscores the importance of a system-level analysis of PFAS fate in landfills, considering waste variability, chemical properties, release mechanisms, and PFAS transformations. [Display omitted] •PFAS concentrations were highest at mid-depths in the landfill.•Dominant PFAS classes were perfluorocarboxylic acids and fluorotelomer carboxylic acids.•Short-chain PFCAs constituted a significant portion of total PFAS in landfill organics.•Strong correlation between PFAS, total carbon, and dissolved organic matter observed.•Study underscores the need for system-level analysis of PFAS fate in landfills.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0304-3894 1873-3336 1873-3336
DOI:	10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135678