Investigation of Biotransformation of 6:6 PFPiA into C6 PFPA during Anaerobic Digestion of Sludge

The biotransformation of perfluorinated phosphinic and phosphonic acids (PFPiAs & PFPAs) have been studied in animal and plant models, but not in wastewater treatment plant sludge. This is concerning since the toxicity and general research into PFPiAs and PFPAs is lacking and biosolids, a by-product of sludge treatment, is used as fertilizer for commercial crops. The purpose of this experiment is to fill in this void in research by investigating whether the microbes in sludge can bio-transform 6:6 PFPiA into C6 PFPA during a 30-day anaerobic sludge digestion. Four samples were prepared to measure the microbial, non-biological, and abiotic degradation of 6:6 PFPiA in comparison to a sterile control sample. Over the 30-day digestion period, it was found that 6:6 PFPiA levels decreased while C6 PFPA levels increased in the microbial sample. It was not determined if this degradation was caused by the cleavage of 6:6 PFPiA’s carbon-phosphorus bond.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Blaney, Callum Andre Bohdan

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2024 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2024-15959

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/41407