Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of anionic hydrocarbon surfactant on the transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in natural soils

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The widespread usage of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has led to their ubiquitous co-existence with hydrocarbon surfactants in the subsurface environment. In this study, column experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of an anionic hydrocarbon surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, SDBS, 1 and 10 mg/L) on the transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in two saturated natural soils under different cation type (Na+ and Ca2+) conditions. Results showed that SDBS (10 mg/L) significantly enhanced the transport of PFOA in two soils. This was likely because SDBS had a stronger adsorption affinity to the soils than PFOA, and can outcompete PFOA for the finite adsorption sites on the soil surface. The effect of SDBS on PFOA transport varied greatly in the two soils. More negatively charged soil surface and greater soil particle size likely contributed to the more noticeable transport-enhancement of PFOA resulting from the presence of SDBS. Also, the enhancement effect of SDBS (10 mg/L) with Ca2+ on PFOA transport was more significantly than that with Na+. This was possibly due to the blocking effect of SDBS to the more positively charged soil surface induced by Ca2+. Findings of this study point out the importance of anionic hydrocarbon surfactants on PFOA transport when assessing its environmental risks and implementing remediation efforts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Abril C, Santos JL, Martin J, Aparicio I, Alonso E (2020) Occurrence, fate and environmental risk of anionic surfactants, bisphenol A, perfluorinated compounds and personal care products in sludge stabilization treatments. Sci Total Environ 711:135048

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adamson DT, Nickerson A, Kulkarni PR, Higgins CP, Popovic J, Field J, Rodowa A, Newell C, DeBlanc P, Kornuc JJ (2020) Mass-based, field-scale demonstration of PFAS retention within AFFF-associated source areas. Environ Sci Technol 54(24):15768–15777

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andreu V, Pico Y (2004) Determination of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates and their degradation products in solis by liquid chromatography-electrospray-ion trap multiple-stage mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 76(10):2878–2885

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ankley GT, Cureton P, Hoke RA, Houde M, Kumar A, Kurias J, Lanno R, McCarthy C, Newsted J, Salice CJ, Sample BE, Sepulveda MS, Steevens J, Valsecchi S (2021) Assessing the ecological risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: current state-of-the science and a proposed path forward. Environ Toxicol Chem 40(3):564–605

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barzen-Hanson KA, Roberts SC, Choyke S, Oetjen K, McAlees A, Riddell N, McCrindle R, Ferguson PL, Higgins CP, Field JA (2017) Discovery of 40 classes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in historical aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) and AFFF-impacted groundwater. Environ Sci Technol 51(4):2047–2057

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brusseau ML (2018) Assessing the potential contributions of additional retention processes to PFAS retardation in the subsurface. Sci Total Environ 613–614:176–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Brusseau ML, Van Glubt S (2019) The influence of surfactant and solution composition on PFAS adsorption at fluid-fluid interfaces. Water Res 161:17–26

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brusseau ML, Yan N, Van Glubt S, Wang Y, Chen W, Lyu Y, Dungan B, Carroll KC, Holguin FO (2019) Comprehensive retention model for PFAS transport in subsurface systems. Water Res 148:41–50

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buck RC, Franklin J, Berger U, Conder JM, Cousins IT, de Voogt P, Jensen AA, Kannan K, Mabury SA, van Leeuwen SP (2011) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: terminology, classification, and origins. Integr Environ Assess Manag 7(4):513–541

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bulka CM, Avula V, Fry RC (2021) Associations of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances individually and in mixtures with persistent infections: recent findings from NHANES 1999–2016. Environ Pollut 275

  • Ding G, Peijnenburg WJGM (2013) Physicochemical properties and aquatic toxicity of poly- and perfluorinated compounds. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 43(6):598–678

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falk S, Stahl T, Fliedner A, Rudel H, Tarricone K, Brunn H, Koschorreck J (2019) Levels, accumulation patterns and retrospective trends of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in terrestrial ecosystems over the last three decades. Environ Pollut 246:921–931

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Favreau P, Poncioni-Rothlisberger C, Place BJ, Bouchex-Bellomie H, Weber A, Tremp J, Field JA, Kohler M (2017) Multianalyte profiling of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in liquid commercial products. Chemosphere 171:491–501

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher-Power LM, Cheng T (2018) Nanoscale titanium dioxide (nTiO2) transport in natural sediments: importance of soil organic matter and Fe/Al oxyhydroxides. Environ Sci Technol 52(5):2668–2676

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filipovic M, Woldegiorgis A, Norstrom K, Bibi M, Lindberg M, Osteras AH (2015) Historical usage of aqueous film forming foam: a case study of the widespread distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids from a military airport to groundwater, lakes, soils and fish. Chemosphere 129:39–45

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Y, Fu J, Cao H, Wang Y, Zhang A, Liang Y, Wang T, Zhao C, Jiang G (2015) Differential accumulation and elimination behavior of perfluoroalkyl acid isomers in occupational workers in a manufactory in China. Environ Sci Technol 49(11):6953–6962

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia RA, Chiaia-Hernandez AC, Lara-Martin PA, Loos M, Hollender J, Oetjen K, Higgins CP, Field JA (2019) Suspect screening of hydrocarbon surfactants in AFFFs and AFFF-contaminated groundwater by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Environ Sci Technol 53(14):8068–8077

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gassmann M, Weidemann E, Stahl T (2021) Combined leaching and plant uptake simulations of PFOA and PFOS under field conditions. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 28(2):2097–2107

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gellrich V, Stahl T, Knepper TP (2012) Behavior of perfluorinated compounds in soils during leaching experiments. Chemosphere 87(9):1052–1056

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guan Z, Tang XY, Nishimura T, Katou H, Liu HY, Qing J (2018) Surfactant-enhanced flushing enhances colloid transport and alters macroporosity in diesel-contaminated soil. J Environ Sci (china) 64:197–206

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guelfo JL, Higgins CP (2013) Subsurface transport potential of perfluoroalkyl acids at aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted sites. Environ Sci Technol 47(9):4164–4171

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guelfo JL, Wunsch A, McCray J, Stults JF, Higgins CP (2020) Subsurface transport potential of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs): column experiments and modeling. J Contam Hydrol 233:103661

  • Hellsing MS, Josefsson S, Hughes AV, Ahrens L (2016) Sorption of perfluoroalkyl substances to two types of minerals. Chemosphere 159:385–391

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houtz EF, Higgins CP, Field JA, Sedlak DL (2013) Persistence of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors in AFFF-impacted groundwater and soil. Environ Sci Technol 47(15):8187–8195

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ivankovic T, Hrenovic J (2010) Surfactants in the environment. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 61(1):95–110

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ji Y, Yan N, Brusseau ML, Guo B, Zheng X, Dai M, Liu H, Li X (2021) Impact of a hydrocarbon surfactant on the retention and transport of perfluorooctanoic acid in saturated and unsaturated porous media. Environ Sci Technol 55(15):10480–10490

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesmeister L, Lange FT, Breuer J, Biegel-Engler A, Giese E, Scheurer M (2021) Extending the knowledge about PFAS bioaccumulation factors for agricultural plants - a review. Sci Total Environ 766

  • Li Y, Oliver DP, Kookana RS (2018) A critical analysis of published data to discern the role of soil and sediment properties in determining sorption of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Sci Total Environ 628–629:110–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Lyu X, Gao B, Xu H, Wu J, Sun Y (2021) Effects of ionic strength and cation type on the transport of per fl uorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in unsaturated sand porous media. J Hazard Mater 403:123688

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao S, Saleeba Z, Bryant JD, Abriola LM, Pennell KD (2021) Influence of aqueous film forming foams on the solubility and mobilization of non-aqueous phase liquid contaminants in quartz sands. Water Res 195:116975

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu G, Stewart BA, Yuan K, Ling S, Zhang M, Wang G, Lin K (2021c) Comprehensive adsorption behavior and mechanism of PFOA and PFCs in various subsurface systems in China. Sci Total Environ 794:148463

  • Liu JW, Wei KH, Xu SW, Cui J, Ma J, Xiao XL, Xi BD, He XS (2021b) Surfactant-enhanced remediation of oil-contaminated soil and groundwater: a review. Sci Total Environ 756:144142

  • Liu X, Li L, Gu L, Hua Z, Zhang Y, Xue H (2021a) Distribution and release of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water-sediment systems: the effect of confluence channels. Sci Total Environ 775:145720

  • Liu Z, Lu Y, Wang P, Wang T, Liu S, Johnson AC, Sweetman AJ, Baninla Y (2017) Pollution pathways and release estimation of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in central and eastern China. Sci Total Environ 580:1247–1256

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lv X, Sun Y, Ji R, Gao B, Wu J, Lu Q, Jiang H (2018) Physicochemical factors controlling the retention and transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in saturated sand and limestone porous media. Water Res 141:251–258

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyu X, Liu X, Sun Y, Gao B, Ji R, Wu J, Xue Y (2020a) Importance of surface roughness on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) transport in unsaturated porous media. Environ Pollut 266(1):115343

  • Lyu X, Liu X, Sun Y, Ji R, Gao B, Wu J (2019) Transport and retention of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in natural soils: importance of soil organic matter and mineral contents, and solution ionic strength. J Contam Hydrol 225:103477

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyu X, Liu X, Wu X, Sun Y, Gao B, Wu J (2020b) Importance of Al/Fe oxyhydroxide coating and ionic strength in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) transport in saturated porous media. Water Res 175:115685

  • Lyu Y, Brusseau ML, Chen W, Yan N, Fu X, Lin X (2018) Adsorption of PFOA at the air-water interface during transport in unsaturated porous media. Environ Sci Technol 52(14):7745–7753

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masoudian Z, Salehi-Lisar SY, Norastehnia A (2020) Phytoremediation potential of Azolla filiculoides for sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant considering some physiological responses, effects of operational parameters and biodegradation of surfactant. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 27(16):20358–20369

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie ER, Siegrist RL, McCray JE, Higgins CP (2015) Effects of chemical oxidants on perfluoroalkyl acid transport in one-dimensional porous media columns. Environ Sci Technol 49(3):1681–1689

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie ER, Siegrist RL, McCray JE, Higgins CP (2016) The influence of a non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) and chemical oxidant application on perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) fate and transport. Water Res 92:199–207

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olkowska E, Polkowska Z, Namiesnik J (2011) Analytics of surfactants in the environment: problems and challenges. Chem Rev 111(9):5667–5700

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pabon M, CorpartJM, (2002) Fluorinated surfactants: synthesis, properties, effluent treatment. JFluorine Chem 114(2):149–156

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan G, Jia C, Zhao D, You C, Chen H, Jiang G (2009) Effect of cationic and anionic surfactants on the sorption and desorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on natural sediments. Environ Pollut 157(1):325–330

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paria S, Khilar KC (2004) A review on experimental studies of surfactant adsorption at the hydrophilic solid-water interface. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 110(3):75–95

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paul AG, Jones KC, Sweetman AJ (2009) A first global production, emission, and environmental inventory for perfluorooctane sulfonate. Environ Sci Technol 43(2):386–392

  • Pelch KE, Reade A, Wolffe TAM, Kwiatkowski CF (2019) PFAS health effects database: protocol for a systematic evidence map. Environ Int 130:104851

  • Prevedouros K, Cousins IT, Buck RC, Korzeniowski SH (2006) Sources, fate and transport of perfluorocarboxylates. Environ Sci Technol 40(1):32–44

  • Qv XY, Jiang JG (2013) Toxicity evaluation of two typical surfactants to Dunaliella bardawil, an environmentally tolerant alga. Environ Toxicol Chem 32(2):426–433

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rankin K, Mabury SA, Jenkins TM, Washington JW (2016) A North American and global survey of perfluoroalkyl substances in surface soils: distribution patterns and mode of occurrence. Chemosphere 161:333–341

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao P, He M (2006) Adsorption of anionic and nonionic surfactant mixtures from synthetic detergents on soils. Chemosphere 63(7):1214–1221

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodea-Palomares I, Makowski M, Gonzalo S, Gonzalez-Pleiter M, Leganes F, Fernandez-Pinas F (2015) Effect of PFOA/PFOS pre-exposure on the toxicity of the herbicides 2,4-D, Atrazine, Diuron and Paraquat to a model aquatic photosynthetic microorganism. Chemosphere 139:65–72

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seo SH, Son MH, Shin ES, Choi SD, Chang YS (2019) Matrix-specific distribution and compositional profiles of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in multimedia environments. J Hazard Mater 364:19–27

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silva JAK, Martin WA, McCray JE (2021) Air-water interfacial adsorption coefficients for PFAS when present as a multi-component mixture. J Contam Hydrol 236:103731

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tao QH, Wang DS, Tang HX (2006) Effect of surfactants at low concentrations on the sorption of atrazine by natural sediment. Water Environ Res 78(7):653–660

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Traverso-Soto JM, Lara-Martin PA, Gonzalez-Mazo E, Leon VM (2015) Distribution of anionic and nonionic surfactants in a sewage-impacted Mediterranean coastal lagoon: inputs and seasonal variations. Sci Total Environ 503–504:87–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Glubt S, Brusseau ML (2021) Contribution of nonaqueous-phase liquids to the retention and transport of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in porous media. Environ Sci Technol 55(6):3706–3715

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang F, Shih K, Leckie JO (2015) Effect of humic acid on the sorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) on boehmite. Chemosphere 118:213–218

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Bradford SA, Harvey RW, Gao B, Cang L, Zhou D (2012) Humic acid facilitates the transport of ARS-labeled hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in iron oxyhydroxide-coated sand. Environ Sci Technol 46(5):2738–2745

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Maimaiti A, Shi H, Wu R, Wang R, Li Z, Qi D, Yu G, Deng S (2019b) Adsorption behavior and mechanism of emerging perfluoro-2-propoxypropanoic acid (GenX) on activated carbons and resins. Chem Eng J 364:132–138

  • Wang W, Mi X, Zhou Z, Zhou S, Li C, Hu X, Qi D, Deng S (2019a) Novel insights into the competitive adsorption behavior and mechanism of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on the anion-exchange resin. J Colloid Interface Sci 557:655–663

  • Weber AK, Barber LB, LeBlanc DR, Sunderland EM, Vecitis CD (2017) Geochemical and hydrologic factors controlling subsurface transport of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Environ Sci Technol 51(8):4269–4279

  • Xiao F, Jin B, Golovko SA, Golovko MY, Xing B (2019) Sorption and desorption mechanisms of cationic and zwitterionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in natural soils: thermodynamics and hysteresis. Environ Sci Technol 53(20):11818–11827

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao F, Simcik MF, Halbach TR, Gulliver JS (2015) Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in soils and groundwater of a U.S. metropolitan area: migration and implications for human exposure. Water Res 72:64–74

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xing Y, Li Q, Chen X, Fu X, Ji L, Wang J, Li T, Zhang Q (2021) Different transport behaviors and mechanisms of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in saturated porous media. J Hazard Mater 402:123435

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao Y, Chang S, Zhao Y, Tang J, Sun H, Xie Z (2017) Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the urban, industrial, and background atmosphere of Northeastern China coast around the Bohai Sea: occurrence, partitioning, and seasonal variation. Atmospheric Environ 167:150–158

  • Ying GG (2006) Fate, behavior and effects of surfactants and their degradation products in the environment. Environ Int 32(3):417–431

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • You C, Jia C, Pan G (2010) Effect of salinity and sediment characteristics on the sorption and desorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate at sediment-water interface. Environ Pollut 158(5):1343–1347

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou D, Brusseau ML, Zhang Y, Li S, Wei W, Sun H, Zheng C (2021) Simulating PFAS adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and nonideal transport in saturated soil with tempered one-sided stable density (TOSD) based models. J Hazard Mater 411:125169

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ziaee F, Ziaee M, Taseidifar M (2021) Synthesis and application of a green surfactant for the treatment of water containing PFAS/ hazardous metal ions. J Hazard Mater 407:124800

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao L, Bian J, Zhang Y, Zhu L, Liu Z (2014) Comparison of the sorption behaviors and mechanismsof perfluorosulfonates andperfluorocarboxylic acids on three kinds of clay minerals. Chemosphere 114:51–58

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu H, Kannan K (2019) Distribution and partitioning of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids in surface soil, plants, and earthworms at a contaminated site. Sci Total Environ 647:954–961

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Lilan, Niu Junfeng, Li Yang, Wang Yujuan, Sun Dong (2013) Evaluating the sub-lethal toxicity of PFOS and PFOA using rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. Environmental Pollution 180:34–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.04.031

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu X, Jin L, Yang J, Wu J, Zhang B, Zhang X, Yu N, Wei S, Wu J, Yu H (2017) Perfluoroalkyl acids in the water cycle from a freshwater river basin to coastal waters in eastern China. Chemosphere 168:390–398

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41730856, 42077109 and 42007114), and the National Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20200817).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Key Laboratory of Surficial Geochemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hydrosciences Department, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China

    Qi Zhang, Xiaoli Wu, Jichun Wu & Yuanyuan Sun

  2. School of Hydrology and Water Resources, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China

    Xueyan Lyu

  3. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Bin Gao

Authors
  1. Qi Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiaoli Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xueyan Lyu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bin Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jichun Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yuanyuan Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Qi Zhang: writing—original draft preparation, investigation. Xiaoli Wu: visualization. Xueyan Lyu: data curation, writing—reviewing and editing. Bin Gao: methodology, writing—reviewing and editing. Jichun Wu: resources, project administration, writing—reviewing and editing. Yuanyuan Sun: conceptualization, supervision, funding acquisition, writing—reviewing and editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xueyan Lyu or Yuanyuan Sun.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not appliable.

Consent for publication

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Kitae Baek

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 259 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, Q., Wu, X., Lyu, X. et al. Effects of anionic hydrocarbon surfactant on the transport of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in natural soils. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 24672–24681 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17680-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17680-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation