PFAS fate using lysimeters during degraded soil reclamation using biosolids

Abstract

Carbon- and nutrient-rich biosolids are used in agriculture and land reclamation. However, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) typically present in biosolids raise concerns of PFAS leaching to groundwater and plant uptake. Here, we investigated PFAS persistence and leaching from biosolids applied to a site constructed artificially to mimic degraded soils. Treatments included biosolids and biosolids blended with mulch applied at different rates to attain either one and five times the agronomic N rate for vegetable crops and a control treatment with synthetic urea and triple superphosphate fertilizer. Leachates were collected for a 2-year period from 15-cm depth zero-tension drainage lysimeters. Soils were analyzed post biosolids application. PFAS were quantified using isotope-dilution, solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Leachate profiles exemplified an initial high total PFAS concentration, followed by a sharp decline and subsequent small fluctuations attributed to pre-existing soil conditions and rainfall patterns. Quantifiable PFAS in leachate were proportional to biosolids application rates. Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (CF2 < 6) were dominant in leachate, while the percentage of longer chains homologues was higher in soils. A 43% biosolids blend with mulch resulted in 21% lower PFAS leachate concentrations even with the blend application rate being 1.5 times higher than biosolids due to the blend's lower N-content. The blending effect was more pronounced for long-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids that have a greater retention by soils and the air-water interface. Biosolids blending as a pragmatic strategy for reducing PFAS leachate concentrations may aid in the sustainable beneficial reuse of biosolids.