Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of surface waters by historic landfills <i>via</i> groundwater plumes: ecosystem exposure and downstream mass loading
James W. Roy, Victoria R. Propp, T. Hua, Susan J. Brown, Cassandra Brinovcar, James E. Smith, Amila O. De Silva
Abstract
(DC)), with evidence of year-round pelagic zone exposure. PFAS concentrations in the epibenthic zones could vary between that of the endobenthic and pelagic zones, sometimes with daily, event-based, and longer-term patterns. Together these findings suggest historic landfill plumes can lead to substantial PFAS exposure to a variety of aquatic life. Downstream PFAS mass loadings during base flows were relatively small individually (15 (HB) and 36 (DC) g per year (∑PFAS)); however, collective loadings from the numerous historic landfills in a watershed could contribute to increasing PFAS concentrations of connected water bodies, with implications for ecological health, drinking water sources, and fisheries.