Distribution of legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in surface and groundwater affected by irrigation in an arid region

Abstract

Frequent exchange of surface water and groundwater occurs in arid/semi-arid areas due to high evaporation and intensive irrigation activities, affecting the migration and transformation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and threatening drinking water safety. This study analyzed legacy PFASs and potential precursors in surface water, groundwater, soil, and aquifer solid samples collected from a typical arid area, the Hetao Irrigation District of Northern China, to explore PFASs distribution and transformation between surface and ground. Total PFASs (ΣPFASs) in surface water was 29–232 ng/L, higher than 2–77 ng/L in groundwater. ΣPFASs in soil were 0.29–0.59 ng/g, higher than 0.09–0.27 in the aquifer solids. Regarding horizontal distribution, the concentration of PFASs in groundwater increased in downtowns and the areas recharged with lake water. In terms of vertical distribution, ΣPFASs decreased with the increase of depth, and more PFASs adsorbed on clay particles in the aquifer. The total oxidable precursor analysis showed that 8:2 FT and 4:2 FT were the dominant precursors of PFASs, resulting in an increment of 0.1–4 ng/L PFASs. Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope compositions suggest similar sources between surface water and groundwater in the study area, while principal component analysis and Bayesian inference also indicate that surface water is an important source of groundwater PFASs. The annual infiltration PFASs to groundwater from Ulansuhai was estimated by the water balance approach to be 9.39 kg. Results highlight the influence of agricultural irrigation activities and lake infiltration on groundwater PFASs in the arid region.