Occurrence, source apportionment, plant bioaccumulation and human exposure of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil and plant leaves near a landfill in China

In this study, 17 legacy and emerging PFASs were investigated in soil and plant leaves near a valley-type landfill, which has been in operation for over 20 years. Sigma FASs concentrations ranged from 5.31 to 108 ng/g dw and 11.9 to 115 ng/g dw in the soil and leaf samples, respectively, and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was dominant in both soil and leaves. The concentrations of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (F-53B) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) were significantly higher than those of legacy PFOA and PFOS, indicating emerging alternatives were widely applied in the region. The integrated approach of PCA analysis, field investigation of relevant industrial activities in the study area, along with the Unmix model analysis quantitatively revealed that factories producing consumer products and the landfill were the major sources of PFASs in soil, accounting for 57% of total Sigma FASs detected. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of PFASs in leaves varied from 0.37 to 8.59, and higher BAFs were found in camphor leaves. The log(10)BAFs in all plant leaves showed a linear decrease with increasing carbon chain lengths for individual PFCAs (C4-C8). The BAF values of HFPO-DA, F-53B and 6:2 FTS were 0.01-3.39, 0.04-6.15 and 0.01-6.33, respectively. The human health risk assessment of EDIs showed a decreasing trend with the increasing carbon chain lengths of PFCAs (C4-C9), and the PFASs EDI indicated further study on the human health risk via vegetable consumption be warranted. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study investigated PFASs in soil and plant leaves near a landfill, finding high concentrations and wide application of emerging alternatives. Factories and the landfill were identified as major sources of PFASs, warranting further research on human health risks.