Issue 1, 2022

Aerobic biotransformation of a novel highly functionalized polyfluoroether-based surfactant using activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant

Abstract

A replacement fluorosurfactant has been recently introduced to the European market as an alternative to other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have been phased-out or banned. Here, we incubated this novel fluorosurfactant (diFESOS, [F7C3OCHFCF2SCH2CH2OC(O)]2C2H3SO3) which contains ether and thioether insertions, and its known polyfluoroalkyl degradation products, an alcohol (FESOH) and carboxylic acid (FESCA), with activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant under sulfur-limited conditions. Dosed chemicals and their transformation products were monitored using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition to FESOH and FESCA, two smaller metabolites were identified: C3F7OCHFCOO (2H-3:2 PFECA) and perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA). 2H-3:2 PFECA presumably was a result of S-dealkylation of FESCA, which then resulted in the abiotic cleavage of two C–F bonds; no S-oxygenation was observed. Overall, the terminal products of this biotransformation likely have lower bioaccumulation potential than the parent fluorosurfactant based on comparison to other similar PFAS.

Graphical abstract: Aerobic biotransformation of a novel highly functionalized polyfluoroether-based surfactant using activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Aug 2021
Accepted
13 Dec 2021
First published
14 Dec 2021

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022,24, 62-71

Aerobic biotransformation of a novel highly functionalized polyfluoroether-based surfactant using activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant

S. Joudan and S. A. Mabury, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022, 24, 62 DOI: 10.1039/D1EM00358E

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