PFAS promotes disinfection byproduct formation through triggering particle-bound organic matter release in drinking water pipes. 2024

Xinyi Qin, and Yuan Zhuang, and Baoyou Shi
Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Loose deposit particles in drinking water distribution system commonly exist as mixtures of metal oxides, organic materials, bacteria, and extracellular secretions. In addition to their turbidity-causing effects, the hazards of such particles in drinking water are rarely recognized. In this study, we found that trace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) could dramatically promote the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) by triggering the release of particle-bound organic matter. Carboxylic PFASs have a greater ability to increase chloroacetic acid than sulfonic PFASs, and PFASs with longer chains have a greater ability to increase trichloromethane release than shorter-chain PFASs. Characterization by organic carbon and organic nitrogen detectors and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry revealed that the released organic matter was mainly composed of proteins, carbohydrates, lignin, and condensed aromatic structures, which are the main precursors for the formation of DBPs, particularly highly toxic aromatic DBPs. After the release of organic matter, the particles exhibit a decrease in surface functional groups, an increase in surface roughness, and a decrease in particle size. The findings provide new insights into the risks of loose deposits and PFASs in drinking water, not only on PFASs per se but also on its effect of increasing toxic DBPs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004202 Disinfectants Substances used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. Disinfectants are classed as complete, destroying SPORES as well as vegetative forms of microorganisms, or incomplete, destroying only vegetative forms of the organisms. They are distinguished from ANTISEPTICS, which are local anti-infective agents used on humans and other animals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed) Biocide,Disinfectant,Biocides
D004203 Disinfection Rendering pathogens harmless through the use of heat, antiseptics, antibacterial agents, etc.
D005466 Fluorocarbons Liquid perfluorinated carbon compounds which may or may not contain a hetero atom such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, but do not contain another halogen or hydrogen atom. This concept includes fluorocarbon emulsions, and fluorocarbon blood substitutes. Perfluorinated and related polyfluorinated chemicals are referred to as PFAS and are defined as chemicals with at least two adjacent carbon atoms, where one carbon is fully fluorinated and the other is at least partially fluorinated. Fluorocarbon,Fluorocarbon Emulsion,Fluorocarbon Emulsions,Fluorotelomer Phosphate Esters,N-Alkyl Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamido Carboxylates,PFAS Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,PFC Perfluorinated Chemicals,PFECAs Perfluoropolyether Carboxylic Acids,Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,Perfluoroalkane Sulfonamides,Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylates,Perfluoroalkyl Ether Carboxylates,Perfluoroalkyl Polyether Carboxylates,Perfluorocarbon,Perfluorocarbons,Perfluoropolyether Carboxylic Acids,Polyfluorocarbons,Fluorinated Telomer Alcohols,Fluoro-Telomer Alcohols,Polyfluorinated Telomer Alcohols,Telomer Fluorocarbons,Acids, Perfluoropolyether Carboxylic,Alcohols, Fluorinated Telomer,Alcohols, Fluoro-Telomer,Alcohols, Polyfluorinated Telomer,Carboxylates, Perfluoroalkyl,Carboxylates, Perfluoroalkyl Ether,Carboxylates, Perfluoroalkyl Polyether,Carboxylic Acids, Perfluoropolyether,Chemicals, PFC Perfluorinated,Emulsion, Fluorocarbon,Emulsions, Fluorocarbon,Esters, Fluorotelomer Phosphate,Ether Carboxylates, Perfluoroalkyl,Fluoro Telomer Alcohols,Fluorocarbons, Telomer,N Alkyl Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamido Carboxylates,PFAS Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,Perfluorinated Chemicals, PFC,Phosphate Esters, Fluorotelomer,Polyether Carboxylates, Perfluoroalkyl,Sulfonamides, Perfluoroalkane,Telomer Alcohols, Fluorinated,Telomer Alcohols, Polyfluorinated
D014874 Water Pollutants, Chemical Chemical compounds which pollute the water of rivers, streams, lakes, the sea, reservoirs, or other bodies of water. Chemical Water Pollutants,Landfill Leachate,Leachate, Landfill,Pollutants, Chemical Water
D054879 Halogenation Covalent attachment of HALOGENS to other compounds. Bromination,Chlorination,Fluorination,Iodination,Iodation
D060766 Drinking Water Water that is intended to be ingested. Bottled Water,Potable Water,Water, Bottled,Water, Drinking,Water, Potable
D018508 Water Purification Any of several processes in which undesirable impurities in water are removed or neutralized; for example, chlorination, filtration, primary treatment, ion exchange, and distillation. It includes treatment of WASTEWATER to provide potable and hygienic water in a controlled or closed environment as well as provision of public drinking water supplies. Waste Water Purification,Waste Water Treatment,Wastewater Purification,Wastewater Treatment,Water Treatment,Purification, Waste Water,Purification, Wastewater,Purification, Water,Treatment, Waste Water,Treatment, Wastewater,Treatment, Water,Waste Water Purifications,Waste Water Treatments,Water Purification, Waste

Related Publications

Xinyi Qin, and Yuan Zhuang, and Baoyou Shi
August 2023, Environmental science & technology,
Xinyi Qin, and Yuan Zhuang, and Baoyou Shi
March 2018, Environmental science & technology,
Xinyi Qin, and Yuan Zhuang, and Baoyou Shi
March 2022, Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue,
Xinyi Qin, and Yuan Zhuang, and Baoyou Shi
August 2009, Environmental science & technology,
Xinyi Qin, and Yuan Zhuang, and Baoyou Shi
August 2017, Chemosphere,
Copied contents to your clipboard!