| Title | Sources of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Italian drinking and surface waters |
| Abstract | A survey of
the distribution of perfluorinated carboxylates (from C
4
to C
10
) and
perfluorinated sulphonates (from C
4
to C
8
) in the main Italian river
basins have been carried out. Concentrations of selected PFAS higher
than 1 ?g/L were measured in three Italian rivers (Tanaro, Bormida and
Brenta rivers). Maximum PFOA concentrations of 1.9 and 6.5 ?g/L were
measured respectively in Tanaro and in its tributary Bormida which
receives the discharge of a fluoropolymer plant. Brenta river showed the
highest measured concentration for PFBS (1.4 ?g/L), together with
significant concentrations of PFOA (292 ng/L), PFPeA and PFHxA
(both about 200 ng/L). Sources of PFAS in Brenta river are both textile
and tannery districts as well as a factory which produces fluorochemical
intermediates. Substances which were present in concentrations > 100
ng/L in the other Italian surface waters were PFBA (in Adda and its
tributary Serio rivers), PFPeA (in Adda, Arno, Serio rivers), PFHxA (in
Adda, and Serio rivers) and PFOS (in Serio river). From these data two
further hot spots for shorter chain PFCAs were identifies which were the
Arno river, where important textile and tannery districts are present, and
Adda river with its tributary Serio. In the latter case it was more difficult
to individuate the source of these compounds because the basin is not
characterised by specific manufacturing activities. Two other important
Italian rivers, Tevere and Adige, were not impacted by PFAS, also
downstream to important urban WWTPs. Finally, the concentrations at
the basin closure of the river Po, the major Italian river, were 10 times
lower (25 ng/L) than those measured in previous campaigns on Po,
suggesting a possible decrease in PFOA use. Concentrations of drinking
waters in central Italy (from Tevere and Arno river basins) were all
under the detection limits, while the detection frequency of PFAS in
drinking waters from Northern Italy, the most urbanised and
industrialised area of the country, was higher. The highest
concentrations were measured for PFOA (up to 1.9 ?g/L) in drinking
water produced from groundwater which are impacted by discharges
from two big textile and tannery districts to which is added a factory
which produces fluorochemical intermediates. High concentrations of
PFOS (up to 150 ng/L) were also measured in drinking water produced
from groundwater in an area with a diffuse and historical pollution
coming from agricultural pressure. |
| Source | 23rd Annual Meeting of SETAC Europe, Building a Better Future: Responsible Innovation and Environmental Protection, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 12-16 May 2013 |
| Keywords | PFASsurface waterdrinking wateroccurence |
| Year | 2013 |
| Type | Poster |
| Authors | Rusconi M., Marziali L., Mazzoni M., Polesello S., Rosignoli F., Stefani F. and S. Valsecchi |
| Text | 347753 2013 PFAS surface water drinking water occurence Sources of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Italian drinking and surface waters Rusconi M., Marziali L., Mazzoni M., Polesello S., Rosignoli F., Stefani F. and S. Valsecchi Water Research Institute, IRSA CNR, Via Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio MB , Italy A survey of the distribution of perfluorinated carboxylates from C 4 to C 10 and perfluorinated sulphonates from C 4 to C 8 in the main Italian river basins have been carried out. Concentrations of selected PFAS higher than 1 g/L were measured in three Italian rivers Tanaro, Bormida and Brenta rivers . Maximum PFOA concentrations of 1.9 and 6.5 g/L were measured respectively in Tanaro and in its tributary Bormida which receives the discharge of a fluoropolymer plant. Brenta river showed the highest measured concentration for PFBS 1.4 g/L , together with significant concentrations of PFOA 292 ng/L , PFPeA and PFHxA both about 200 ng/L . Sources of PFAS in Brenta river are both textile and tannery districts as well as a factory which produces fluorochemical intermediates. Substances which were present in concentrations > 100 ng/L in the other Italian surface waters were PFBA in Adda and its tributary Serio rivers , PFPeA in Adda, Arno, Serio rivers , PFHxA in Adda, and Serio rivers and PFOS in Serio river . From these data two further hot spots for shorter chain PFCAs were identifies which were the Arno river, where important textile and tannery districts are present, and Adda river with its tributary Serio. In the latter case it was more difficult to individuate the source of these compounds because the basin is not characterised by specific manufacturing activities. Two other important Italian rivers, Tevere and Adige, were not impacted by PFAS, also downstream to important urban WWTPs. Finally, the concentrations at the basin closure of the river Po, the major Italian river, were 10 times lower 25 ng/L than those measured in previous campaigns on Po, suggesting a possible decrease in PFOA use. Concentrations of drinking waters in central Italy from Tevere and Arno river basins were all under the detection limits, while the detection frequency of PFAS in drinking waters from Northern Italy, the most urbanised and industrialised area of the country, was higher. The highest concentrations were measured for PFOA up to 1.9 g/L in drinking water produced from groundwater which are impacted by discharges from two big textile and tannery districts to which is added a factory which produces fluorochemical intermediates. High concentrations of PFOS up to 150 ng/L were also measured in drinking water produced from groundwater in an area with a diffuse and historical pollution coming from agricultural pressure. Published version 23rd Annual Meeting of SETAC Europe, Building a Better Future Responsible Innovation and Environmental Protection Glasgow, United Kingdom 12 16 May 2013 Internazionale Contributo abstract poster abstracts_presentation_14303.pdf Poster mariannarusconi RUSCONI MARIANNA MAZZONI MICHELA ROSIGNOLI FEDERICA PAOLA stefano.polesello POLESELLO STEFANO laura.marziali MARZIALI LAURA fabrizio.stefani STEFANI FABRIZIO saramaria.valsecchi VALSECCHI SARA MARIA |
