Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8850715 | Chemosphere | 2018 | 31 Pages |
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been used in large quantities for a variety of applications in Australian industry and household products. Through the course of their everyday use, PFASs enter the wastewater stream however current treatment processes provide only partial removal of these chemicals from wastewater. The release of treated effluent and re-use of biosolids represents an important point source of PFASs into the Australian environment yet the scale of PFAS release from Australian WWTPs is unknown. For the first time, influent, effluent and biosolids samples from 14 WWTPs across Australia were assessed for 9 PFASs and the national loads of these PFASs released from WWTPs estimated. Æ©9PFASs ranged from 0.98 to 440â¯ng/L (influent), 21-560â¯ng/L (effluent) and 5.2-150â¯ng/g (biosolids). National loads of PFOA and PFOS in effluent were estimated at 65â¯kg and 26â¯kg per annum respectively. In biosolids, annual loads were estimated at 2â¯kg and 8â¯kg respectively. The continued detection of PFOS over a decade after its phase out, the increasing use of PFOS alternatives together with their resistance to degradation processes suggests that PFASs will be a priority for regulators and waste management to prevent further contamination of Australia's water resources.
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Authors
C. Gallen, G. Eaglesham, D. Drage, T. Hue Nguyen, J.F. Mueller,