Oral Presentation Society for Freshwater Science 2025 Annual Meeting

Fate and Transport of Biosolids-derived PFAS across the Terrestrial-aquatic Continuum of Agroecosystems (118389)

Diana Oviedo Vargas 1 , Jessica Anton 2 , Melinda Daniels 1 , Jimmy Murilllo Gelvez 2
  1. Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, PA, United States
  2. Center for PFAS Solutions, New Castle, DE, United States

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a highly diverse class of contaminants of emerging concern produced intentionally and unintentionally over the past 80 years, with an ever-expanding inventory of thousands of unique structures. Some PFAS have been linked to adverse human health effects, and many are known to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in terrestrial and aquatic species. The application of biosolids (i.e., sludge from wastewater treatment facilities) as soil amendments on farmland is a widespread practice worldwide. While beneficial for soil health and sustainable waste management, this practice represents an understudied pathway for PFAS contamination of soil and water. Here we investigate PFAS fate and transport in a working farm in Pennsylvania, United States, with 24 years of biosolids use. In January 2023, we began monitoring PFAS concentrations in surface soils (0-15 cm), stream sediments, and water using USEPA Method 1633. Results showed PFBS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFDS, PFUnA, and PFDoA were present in soils, with total PFAS concentrations averaging 20±4 ng g-1. Compounds detected in the stream water differed from those in the soil and included PFBA, PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA, with total concentrations averaging 126±25 ng L-1. Despite their presence in the water column, PFAS concentrations in sediments were below quantification limits for most compounds. This may be related to the low organic matter content of the sediments (0.5-1%) and the high hydrophilicity of most compounds detected in the water column. Our results suggest that short-chain PFAS are more readily mobilized from the surface soil to the stream water. High-frequency sampling during high-flow events will help us elucidate the role of storms in mobilizing (long-chain) PFAS from the soil to the stream via overland flow. Results from this work will improve our understanding of PFAS fate and transport in agroecosystems and the potential implications for human and environmental health.