High-Resolution Depth-Discrete Analysis of PFAS Distribution and Leaching for a Vadose-Zone Source at an AFFF-Impacted Site

The long-term leaching of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within the vadose zone of an AFFF application site for which the depth to groundwater is approximately 100 m was investigated by characterizing the vertical distribution of PFAS in a high spatial resolution. The great majority (99%) of PFAS...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2024-06, Vol.58 (22), p.9863-9874
Main Authors: Bigler, Matthew C., Brusseau, Mark L., Guo, Bo, Jones, Sara L., Pritchard, J. Conrad, Higgins, Christopher P., Hatton, James
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Environmental Monitoring
Fluorocarbons
Groundwater
Groundwater - chemistry
High resolution
Leaching
Molar volume
Occurrence, Fate, and Transport of Aquatic and Terrestrial Contaminants
Perfluoroalkyl & polyfluoroalkyl substances
Perfluorochemicals
Retention
Spatial discrimination
Spatial resolution
Vadose water
Vertical distribution
Water Pollutants, Chemical
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Summary:The long-term leaching of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within the vadose zone of an AFFF application site for which the depth to groundwater is approximately 100 m was investigated by characterizing the vertical distribution of PFAS in a high spatial resolution. The great majority (99%) of PFAS mass resides in the upper 3 m of the vadose zone. The depths to which each PFAS migrated, quantified by moment analysis, is an inverse function of molar volume, demonstrating chromatographic separation. The PFAS were operationally categorized into three chain-length groups based on the three general patterns of retention observed. The longest-chain (>∼335 cm3/mol molar volume) PFAS remained within the uppermost section of the core, exhibiting minimal leaching. Conversely, the shortest-chain (
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.4c01615