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PFAS in the water supply: source water contamination

Mussabek, Dauren LU (2021)
Abstract
Water contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a serious problem for water suppliers in many regions. Due to persistence of the substances and a complex distribution mechanism, PFAS can have an adverse impact on water quality. Reported toxicological and health effects, make it very important to minimise the of wildlife and human exposure to PFAS. The exposure path is, however, associated with the most vital resource as water.
Mitigation of the PFAS contamination is an extensive challenge that requires a multidisciplinary investigation of the pollution nature and distribution mechanisms in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, since conventional drinking water treatment is insufficient in PFAS removal,... (More)
Water contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a serious problem for water suppliers in many regions. Due to persistence of the substances and a complex distribution mechanism, PFAS can have an adverse impact on water quality. Reported toxicological and health effects, make it very important to minimise the of wildlife and human exposure to PFAS. The exposure path is, however, associated with the most vital resource as water.
Mitigation of the PFAS contamination is an extensive challenge that requires a multidisciplinary investigation of the pollution nature and distribution mechanisms in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, since conventional drinking water treatment is insufficient in PFAS removal, development of the treatment alternative is necessary. Not least due to substantial number of contaminated water sources and an increasing worldwide demand on drinking water.
Present thesis was built around investigation of the historical source water contamination and human exposure to PFAS at studied locations in Ronneby (primarily) and Luleå in Sweden. Several interconnected studies were conducted regarding present contamination levels, transport and distribution mechanism, contamination and emission history, as well as PFAS treatment alternatives for drinking water.
PFAS analysis and assessment of the contamination levels in surface water, groundwater, and sediments were conducted. PFAS occurrence at studied locations was connected to historical use of PFAS containing aqueous film forming foam (PFAS-AFFF). By means of core analysis, accumulation period was studied for the exposed recipient (Lake). Furthermore, influence of the media characteristics (i.e., mineral composition, density, moisture, and organic matter content) on PFAS distribution in sediment was studied and corresponding distribution (partitioning) predictors were estimated. Regarding emission source, profiling of the possible PFAS-AFFF compositions was conducted (based on groundwater analysis), and possible application and emission scenarios were evaluated (based on available fire-training history and related protocols). Investigation of PFAS treatment methods for drinking water was conducted and implementation of ex-situ treatment technique, based on UVC/VUV induced removal, was suggested. The laboratory scale treatment unit was developed and tested in series of experimental trials with PFCAs, PFSAs, FTSAs, and FASAs. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Prof. Rosén, Lars, Chalmers, Sweden.
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
source water, drinking water, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, AFFF, UV treatment
pages
82 pages
publisher
Department of Water Resources Engineering, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University
defense location
Lecture Hall V:C, building V, John Ericssons väg 1, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund. Zoom: https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/63710760625?pwd=TGppb01qWGJBQmNSSXNFaWtMNzJsQT09
defense date
2021-10-14 10:15:00
ISBN
978-91-8039-021-7
978-91-8039-020-0
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b4f33f88-81cd-4f48-93d6-1c4bae8c2d4d
date added to LUP
2021-09-16 14:39:15
date last changed
2021-10-27 10:39:19
@phdthesis{b4f33f88-81cd-4f48-93d6-1c4bae8c2d4d,
  abstract     = {{Water contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a serious problem for water suppliers in many regions. Due to persistence of the substances and a complex distribution mechanism, PFAS can have an adverse impact on water quality. Reported toxicological and health effects, make it very important to minimise the of wildlife and human exposure to PFAS. The exposure path is, however, associated with the most vital resource as water.<br/>Mitigation of the PFAS contamination is an extensive challenge that requires a multidisciplinary investigation of the pollution nature and distribution mechanisms in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, since conventional drinking water treatment is insufficient in PFAS removal, development of the treatment alternative is necessary. Not least due to substantial number of contaminated water sources and an increasing worldwide demand on drinking water.<br/>Present thesis was built around investigation of the historical source water contamination and human exposure to PFAS at studied locations in Ronneby (primarily) and Luleå in Sweden. Several interconnected studies were conducted regarding present contamination levels, transport and distribution mechanism, contamination and emission history, as well as PFAS treatment alternatives for drinking water.<br/>PFAS analysis and assessment of the contamination levels in surface water, groundwater, and sediments were conducted. PFAS occurrence at studied locations was connected to historical use of PFAS containing aqueous film forming foam (PFAS-AFFF). By means of core analysis, accumulation period was studied for the exposed recipient (Lake). Furthermore, influence of the media characteristics (i.e., mineral composition, density, moisture, and organic matter content) on PFAS distribution in sediment was studied and corresponding distribution (partitioning) predictors were estimated. Regarding emission source, profiling of the possible PFAS-AFFF compositions was conducted (based on groundwater analysis), and possible application and emission scenarios were evaluated (based on available fire-training history and related protocols). Investigation of PFAS treatment methods for drinking water was conducted and implementation of ex-situ treatment technique, based on UVC/VUV induced removal, was suggested. The laboratory scale treatment unit was developed and tested in series of experimental trials with PFCAs, PFSAs, FTSAs, and FASAs.}},
  author       = {{Mussabek, Dauren}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-8039-021-7}},
  keywords     = {{source water; drinking water; per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; PFAS; AFFF; UV treatment}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  publisher    = {{Department of Water Resources Engineering, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{PFAS in the water supply: source water contamination}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/102768626/Dauren_Mussabek_WEBB.pdf}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}