Overview of PFAS in Aquatic Environments: What We Know So Far and Major Gaps
Dr. Natalia Soares Quinete, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Florida International University
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), regarded as forever chemicals, have been a topic of increasing concern due to their widespread use, persistence, bioaccumulation and biomagnification capabilities, and toxicity effects in animals and humans. Due to the ubiquitous occurrence of PFAS in a multitude of media (drinking water, surface water, biota, humans, among others), current efforts are focused on addressing challenges in the identification of sources, exposure pathways, and characterization of PFAS in various media to better elucidate their occurrence, fate, and transport in the environment. In this study, I will present some of our ongoing research involving the development of an accurate and sensitive method for the determination of PFAS at low parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and assessment of their occurrence, composition, and spatial distribution in drinking water from metropolitan counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach), and surface water (Biscayne Bay, Key West, and Everglades Canals) and biota samples (fish, oysters, and lobsters) from South Florida. A new holistic approach by non-targeted analysis (NTA) was also developed based on LC- high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry using both Compound Discoverer v 3.1 and FluoroMatch for the comprehensive screening of PFAS species in the environment, identifying compounds not routinely monitored by targeted analysis due to the lack of available authentic standards. We have found out that the Florida coast has been exposed to PFAS, with Biscayne Bay as the most impacted study site. High PFAS concentrations were identified close to airports, military airbases, and Biscayne Bay Canal, suggesting potential pollution sources. We have identified predominant PFAS in tap and surface waters and oysters: PFBA, PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFTeDA. NTA has demonstrated that we might are missing a lot of PFAS if only focusing on targeted analysis. Overall, understanding PFAS occurrence and behavior in the environment will provide information for the development of guidelines and procedures for pollution control and reduction in South Florida and highlights the need to better recognize human exposure pathways.
Dr. Natalia Soares Quinete has a BSc in Chemical Engineering, an MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry and a PhD degree in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from Brazil. Since Spring 2020 , she is an Assistant Professor at Florida International University (FIU) in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and affiliated with the preeminent Institute of Environment at FIU. Her research focuses on assessing and understanding the sources, distribution, and fate of persistent emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and phthalates, in different environmental and biological compartments and their potential impacts to humans and animals. More specifically, Dr. Quinete has been working on the development of targeted and non-targeted analysis methods using high resolution mass spectrometry for the identification and prioritization of contaminants of concern in the environment.
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