Calibration and validation of a novel passive sampling device for the time integrative monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and precursors in contaminated groundwater
•A novel polyethylene passive sampler was calibrated for monitoring groundwater PFAS.•Sampling rates for 12 PFAS were 2 to 5 mL d−1, mean half time to equilibrium 240 d.•The linear uptake range for PFAS was significantly extended in comparison with POCIS.•Good correlation observed with PFAS levels f...
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| Published in: | Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 366; pp. 423 - 431 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Netherlands
Elsevier B.V
15-03-2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | •A novel polyethylene passive sampler was calibrated for monitoring groundwater PFAS.•Sampling rates for 12 PFAS were 2 to 5 mL d−1, mean half time to equilibrium 240 d.•The linear uptake range for PFAS was significantly extended in comparison with POCIS.•Good correlation observed with PFAS levels from parallel grab samples.•Samplers’ compact, robust and cost effective, facilitating PFAS groundwater assessment.
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as key components in aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) have led to growing incidences of environmental contamination. The aim of this study was to investigate a novel diffusion based passive sampling device comprising of microporous polyethylene (PE) for the long-term time-integrative monitoring of PFASs in groundwater systems. PE passive samplers (PEs) were deployed for 83 d and calibrated at five AFFF impacted groundwater sites representing different PFASs concentration levels (ΣPFAS 0.001 to 0.1 ng mL−1). Grab samples were collected simultaneously. Linear accumulation of 12 PFASs (r2 ≥ 0.84) were observed in the PEs over 83 d and PFASs sampling rates were 2–5 mL d−1. Estimated mean half-times to equilibrium for PFASs ranged between 122 and 490 d. A separate validation study compared PEs and grab sampling during a 93 d field deployment, at seven groundwater sites near a fire fighting training ground. Seventeen PFASs were detected in PEs and fifteen in grab samples. PEs showed higher sensitivity for precursors (i.e. 4:2 FTS and FOSA). Time-weighted-average water concentrations across all validation sites for all PFASs determined from PEs were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.98) with grab samples, (within range 0.3–60 ng mL-1 PFOS). Results represent the first application of passive sampling technology for the quantitative assessment of PFASs in groundwater systems. |
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| ISSN: | 0304-3894 1873-3336 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.12.010 |