Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast of Brevard County, FL, reveals distinct spatial clusters
|
PFAS are ubiquitously distributed in the environment and have been measured in aquatic systems globally. However, there are limited data on longitudinal comprehensive assessments of PFAS profiles within sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Surface water samples were collected from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and the Atlantic coast within Brevard County (BC), FL in December of 2019 (n = 57) and again from corresponding locations in February of 2021 (n = 40). Samples were analyzed to determine the occurrence, concentration, and distribution of 92 PFAS. No significant difference in total PFAS concentrations were identified between samples collected in 2019 (87 ng/L) and those collected in 2021 (77 ng/L). However, comparisons of PFAS among four natural sub-regions within Brevard County revealed site- and regional-specific differences. The Banana River exhibited the greatest concentration of total PFAS, followed by the southern Indian River, the northern Indian River, and then the Atlantic coast. Six distinct PFAS profiles were identified with the novel application of multivariate statistical cluster analysis, which may be useful for identifying potential sources of PFAS. Elevated total PFAS and unique compound mixtures identified in the Banana River are most likely a result of industrial discharge and extensive historical use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF).
|
Regional locations of surface water collection in Brevard County in
December 2019 and February 2021. I = Atlantic coast, II = Banana River, III =
northern Indian River, IV = southern Indian River.
The PFAS are listed in order of carbon chain length, from smallest to largest. Frequency is shown as a percent of the total samples that contained each individual
compound. Minimum, median, and maximum values are shown in ng/L. Dash (□ ) indicates no measured PFAS concentration (i.e., below limits of quantitation and/or
detection). BC = Brevard County, FL.
Table excludes concentrations for PFAS that were identified in <80% of samples. The PFAS are listed in order of carbon chain length, from smallest to largest. Values
are shown in ng/L. Dash (-) indicates no measured PFAS concentration (i.e., below limits of quantitation and/or detection).
Table excludes concentrations for PFAS that were identified in <80% of samples. The PFAS are listed in order of carbon chain length, from smallest to largest. Values
are shown in ng/L. Dash (-) indicates no measured PFAS concentration (i.e., below limits of quantitation and/or detection).
Table excludes concentrations for PFAS that were identified in <80% of samples. The PFAS are listed in order of carbon chain length, from smallest to largest. Values
are shown in ng/L. Dash (-) indicates no measured PFAS concentration (i.e., below limits of quantitation and/or detection).
Table excludes concentrations for PFAS that were identified in <80% of samples.
The PFAS are listed in order of carbon chain length, from smallest to largest.
Values are shown in ng/L. Dash (-) indicates no measured PFAS concentration
(i.e., below limits of quantitation and/or detection).
Novel use of cluster analysis useful for
identifying associations of similar PFAS
profiles. Distinctive clustering of PFAS in BC
suggests multiple sources of
contamination. Locations of the surface water samples in each water quality cluster (WQC 1, n=23; WQC 2, n=16; WQC 3, n=18; WQC 4, n=12; WQC 5, n=18; WQC 6, n=10). I = Atlantic coast, II = Banana River, III = northern Indian River, IV = southern Indian River.
Full citation: Griffin EK, Aristizabal-Henao J, Timshina A, Ditz HL, Camacho CG, Da Silva BF, Coker ES, Quiñones KY, Aufmuth J, Bowden JA. Assessment of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic coast of Brevard County, FL, reveals distinct spatial clusters. Chemosphere. 2022 Aug 1;301:134478.
For more information about this study or if you would like a copy of the publication, please email Dr. Bowden at [email protected].
For more information about this study or if you would like a copy of the publication, please email Dr. Bowden at [email protected].