Aerobic soil biodegradation of 8:2 fluorotelomer stearate monoester

Dasu, K; Liu, J; Lee, LS

HERO ID

1311549

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

22372635

HERO ID 1311549
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Aerobic soil biodegradation of 8:2 fluorotelomer stearate monoester
Authors Dasu, K; Liu, J; Lee, LS
Journal Environmental Science & Technology
Volume 46
Issue 7
Page Numbers 3831-3836
Abstract A laboratory investigation on the biotransformation of 8:2 fluorotelomer stearate monoester (8:2 FTS) in aerobic soils was conducted by monitoring the loss of 8:2 FTS, production of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH) and stearic acid, which would be released by cleavage of the ester linkage, and subsequent degradation products from FTOH for 80 d. Soil microcosms were extracted with ethyl acetate followed by two heated 90/10 v/v acetonitrile/200 mM NaOH extractions. 8:2 FTS was degraded with an observed half-life (t(1/2)) of 10.3 d. The rate of 8:2 FTS biotransformation substantially decreased after 20 d with 22% of 8:2 FTS still remaining on day 80. No biotransformation of 8:2 FTS occurred in autoclaved soil controls, which remained sterile with 102 ± 6% recovery, through day 20. 8:2 FTOH was generated with cleavage of the ester linkage of 8:2 FTS followed by a rapid decline (t(1/2) ~ 2 d) due to subsequent biodegradation. All the expected 8:2 FTOH degradation products were detected including 8:2 fluorotelomer unsaturated and saturated carboxylic acids, 7:2s FTOH, 7:3 acid, and three perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids with the most prominent being perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA consistently increased over time reaching 1.7 ± 0.07 mol % by day 80. Although cleavage of the ester linkage was evidenced by 8:2 FTOH production, an associated trend in stearic acid concentrations was not clear because of complex fatty acid metabolism dynamics in soil. Further analysis of mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns and chromatography supported the conclusion that hydrolysis of the ester linkage is predominantly the first step in the degradation of 8:2 FTS with the ultimate formation of terminal products such as PFOA.
Doi 10.1021/es203978g
Pmid 22372635
Wosid WOS:000302850400032
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Environmental Studies; Metabolism; Biodegradation; Fatty acids; Soil microorganisms; Mass spectrometry