PFAS occurrence and distribution in yard waste compost indicate potential volatile loss, downward migration, and transformation
Biraj Saha, Mohamed Ateia, Sujan Fernando, Jiale Xu, Thomas M. DeSutter, Syeed Md Iskander
Abstract
in PET separated from compost. An idle mature compost pile revealed a clear vertical distribution of PFAS, with the total PFAS concentrations at the surface level approximately 58.9-63.2% lower than the 2 ft level. This difference might be attributed to the volatile loss of short-chain PFCAs, PFAS's downward movement with moisture, and aerobic transformations of precursor PFAS at the surface.
Topics & Concepts
CompostYardEnvironmental scienceTransformation (genetics)Waste managementEnvironmental chemistryEnvironmental engineeringChemistryEngineeringBiochemistryGeneQuantum mechanicsPhysicsPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactEffects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals