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Characterization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Other Constituents in MSW Landfill Leachate from Puerto Rico
Citation:
Robey, N., Y. Liu, M. Crespo-Medina, J. Bowden, H. Solo-Gabriele, T. Townsend, AND T. Tolaymat. Characterization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Other Constituents in MSW Landfill Leachate from Puerto Rico. CHEMOSPHERE. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 358:142141, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142141
Impact/Purpose:
The manuscript outlines the findings of a study on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate Puerto Rican landfills. The study has found higher concentrations of PFAS in the leachate from MSW landfills in Puerto Rico compared to other municipal wastewaters in the United States. This is significant due to the unique conditions of Puerto Rico, such as climate, waste composition, and the challenges in waste management due to high population density, limited landfill space, and vulnerability of freshwater resources. The study included a chemical analysis of the leachate and found very high concentrations of individual PFAS, including previously unreported substances like perfluorohexylphosphonic acid. The implication of these findings is that there is a transformation of precursor PFAS as a result of treatment processes, which may increase the concentrations of terminal PFAS. This is exacerbated by extreme climate conditions, such as higher temperatures and frequent hurricanes, which strain the waste management infrastructure. The findings highlight the need for informed management decisions to minimize PFAS emissions in island environments like Puerto Rico, especially considering the growing concerns over PFAS contamination in drinking water.
Description:
Extensive research in recent years has reported higher per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate than other municipal wastewaters, including multiple studies of leachate from MSW landfills in the United States. Because of differences in climate, waste composition, and waste generation, information about MSW landfill leachate from island nations such as Puerto Rico (US) provides an important opportunity for comparison. Additionally, the population density, limited space for landfill footprint, and the vulnerability of freshwater resources in Puerto Rico underscore the need for a thorough characterization of MSW landfill leachate to support better management. In this study, 20 landfill leachate samples were collected from three MSW landfills in Puerto Rico and underwent physical-chemical analysis, as well as a quantitative analysis of 92 PFAS. Samples included discrete leachate types, such as leachate, gas condensate, and leachate that had undergone on-site treatment (e.g., RO treatment, phytoremediation, lagoons). A total of 51 PFAS were quantified, including perfluorohexylphosphonic acid, a terminal PFAS that has not been reported previously in landfill leachate. ∑PFAS concentrations in this study (mean: 38,000 ng L-1), as well as concentrations of individual PFAS, are significantly higher than other reported MSW landfill leachate concentrations. The profiles of leachates collected from on-site treatment systems indicated possible transformation of precursor PFAS as a result of treatment processes – oxidizing conditions, for example, may facilitate aerobic transformation, increase the concentrations of terminal PFAS, and possibly increase the apparent ∑PFAS concentration. Extreme climate events, including rising temperatures and more frequent hurricanes, have placed additional strain on the solid waste management infrastructure on the island – adding complexity to an already challenging PFAS management issue. As concern grows over PFAS contamination in drinking water, these findings should inform solid waste and leachate management decisions in order to minimize PFAS emissions in island environments.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Characterization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Other Constituents in MSW Landfill Leachate from Puerto Rico