Colloid-facilitated release of polybrominated diphenyl ethers at an e-waste recycling site: evidence from undisturbed soil core leaching experiments

doi:10.1007/s11783-024-1781-x

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2024, Vol. 18

Issue (2) : 21 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1781-x

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Colloid-facilitated release of polybrominated diphenyl ethers at an e-waste recycling site: evidence from undisturbed soil core leaching experiments

Zebin Huo, Mengjun Xi, Lianrui Xu, Chuanjia Jiang(

), Wei Chen

College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China

Download: PDF(4059 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

● Surface infiltration results in downward migration of PBDEs in soil core.

● Effluent BDE-209 concentration correlates well with colloid concentration.

● Colloidal and PBDE release from soil cores was promoted at lower ionic strength.

● Colloid-facilitated transport of PBDEs poses a risk to groundwater quality.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of persistent organic pollutants, have been frequently detected in soil at e-waste recycling sites. However, the key factors controlling the transport of PBDEs from surface soil to the vadose zone and groundwater are unclear. Here, colloid-enhanced leaching of PBDEs from undisturbed soil cores collected at an e-waste recycling site in Tianjin, China, is reported. Spatially heterogeneous release of colloids and PBDEs was observed in all the tested soil cores under chemical and hydrodynamic perturbations, indicating the presence of preferential flow paths. Colloid concentration in the effluent significantly increased as ionic strength decreased (from 10 to 0.01 mmol/L), probably due to the stronger electrostatic repulsion between colloidal particles and the soil matrix at lower ionic strength. In contrast, colloid mobilization was not significantly affected by the changes in pH of the influent (from 4.0 to 10.0) and flow rate (from a Darcy velocity of 1.5 to 6.0 cm/h). The concentrations of 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′-decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), the predominant PBDE congener at the site, detected in the leachate (ranging from 1.09 to 3.43 ng/L) were much lower than previously reported results from packed column leaching tests, and were positively correlated with colloid concentrations. This indicates that remobilization of colloids at e-waste recycling sites can promote the leaching and downward migration of PBDEs from surface soil. The findings highlight the potential risk of surface soil PBDE contamination to groundwater quality and call for further understanding of colloid-facilitated transport for predicting the fate of PBDEs at e-waste recycling sites.

Keywords Polybrominated diphenyl ether Colloid-facilitated transport E-waste recycling site Undisturbed soil core Groundwater quality

Corresponding Author(s): Chuanjia Jiang

Issue Date: 12 October 2023

Cite this article:

Zebin Huo,Mengjun Xi,Lianrui Xu, et al. Colloid-facilitated release of polybrominated diphenyl ethers at an e-waste recycling site: evidence from undisturbed soil core leaching experiments[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(2): 21.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-024-1781-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2024/V18/I2/21

Fig.1 Schematic setup for undisturbed soil core leaching experiments (a) and the geometric arrangement of ports for water sampling at the bottom of the soil core holder (b).

Tab.1 Operational conditions of leaching experiments with different ionic strengths, pH values, and flow rates

Fig.2 Three-dimensional CT images of pore networks in two soil cores: (a) sample No. 1 and (b) sample No. 2. Resolution: 28 μm.

Fig.3 Effluent flux, colloid concentration, hydrodynamic diameter (D_h), ζ-potential, conductivity, and pH at four active ports during leaching experiments at different ionic strengths. Influent Darcy velocity = 1.5 cm/h, pH = 5.6. The dashed vertical lines indicate that the soil core was drained by gravity for 16 h.

Tab.2 Statistics of BDE-209 concentration in the effluent from undisturbed soil cores under different perturbations

Fig.4 Effluent flux, colloid concentration, hydrodynamic diameter (D_h), ζ-potential, conductivity, and pH at four active ports during leaching experiments at different influent pH. No water samples were drained through port No. 6 from the third day onward. Influent Darcy velocity = 1.5 cm/h, and ionic strength = 1 mmol/L. The dashed vertical lines indicate that the soil core was drained by gravity for 16 h.

Fig.5 Effluent bromide [Br^?] concentration normalized to the influent concentration at the three active ports. The x-axis represents cumulative leaching duration excluding two periods of 16-h flow interruption, as indicated by the two vertical dashed lines.

Fig.6 Effluent flux, colloid concentration, hydrodynamic diameter (D_h), ζ-potential, conductivity, and pH at four active ports during leaching experiments at different flow rates (corresponding to Darcy velocities of 1.5 to 6.0 cm/h). Flow in port No. 4 commenced during the second simulated infiltration event. Influent ionic strength = 1 mmol/L, pH = 5.6. The dashed vertical lines indicate that the soil core was drained by gravity for 16 h.

Fig.7 Correlation between colloid and BDE-209 concentrations in the effluent of soil cores, measured in leaching tests under water chemistry and hydrodynamic perturbations.

1	M Alaee , P Arias , A Sjodin , A Bergman . (2003). An overview of commercially used brominated flame retardants, their applications, their use patterns in different countries/regions and possible modes of release. Environment International, 29(6): 683–689 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(03)00121-1
2	K Beven , P Germann . (1982). Macropores and water flow in soils. Water Resources Research, 18(5): 1311–1325 https://doi.org/10.1029/WR018i005p01311
3	S A Bradford , S Torkzaban , S L Walker . (2007). Coupling of physical and chemical mechanisms of colloid straining in saturated porous media. Water Research, 41(13): 3012–3024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.03.030
4	C Chen , B L T Lau , J F Gaillard , A I Packman . (2009). Temporal evolution of pore geometry, fluid flow, and solute transport resulting from colloid deposition. Water Resources Research, 45(6): W06416 https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR007252
5	M D’Alessio , D Vasudevan , J Lichwa , S K Mohanty , C Ray . (2014). Fate and transport of selected estrogen compounds in Hawaii soils: effect of soil type and macropores. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 166: 1–10 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2014.07.006
6	H de Jonge , L W de Jonge , O H Jacobsen . (2000). [14C]Glyphosate transport in undisturbed topsoil columns. Pest Management Science, 56(10): 909–915 https://doi.org/10.1002/1526-4998(200010)56:10<909::AID-PS227>3.0.CO;2-5
7	H de Jonge , O H Jacobsen , L W De Jonge , P Moldrup . (1998). Particle-facilitated transport of prochloraz in undisturbed sandy loam soil columns. Journal of Environmental Quality, 27(6): 1495–1503 https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1998.00472425002700060028x
8	L W de Jonge , C Kjaergaard , P Moldrup . (2004). Colloids and colloid-facilitated transport of contaminants in soils: an introduction. Vadose Zone Journal, 3(2): 321–325 https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2004.0321
9	C A de Wit . (2002). An overview of brominated flame retardants in the environment. Chemosphere, 46(5): 583–624 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(01)00225-9
10	N M DeNovio , J E Saiers , J N Ryan . (2004). Colloid movement in unsaturated porous media: recent advances and future directions. Vadose Zone Journal, 3(2): 338–351 https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2004.0338
11	L Duan , Y Q Ying , J Y Zhong , C J Jiang , W Chen . (2022). Key factors controlling colloids-bulk soil distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) at an e-waste recycling site: implications for PBDE mobility in subsurface environment. Science of the Total Environment, 819: 153080 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153080
12	Y H El-Farhan , N M De’Novio , J S Herman , G M Hornberger . (2000). Mobilization and transport of soil particles during infiltration experiments in an agricultural field, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Environmental Science & Technology, 34(17): 3555–3559 https://doi.org/10.1021/es991099g
13	T Gorgy , L Y Li , J R Grace , M G Ikonomou . (2010). Polybrominated diphenyl ether leachability from biosolids and their partitioning characteristics in the leachate. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 209(1–4): 109–121 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0184-8
14	T Gorgy , L Y Li , J R Grace , M G Ikonomou . (2011). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers mobility in biosolids-amended soils using leaching column tests. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 222(1–4): 77–90 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0810-0
15	N Gottschall , E Topp , M Edwards , M Payne , S Kleywegt , D R Lapen . (2017). Brominated flame retardants and perfluoroalkyl acids in groundwater, tile drainage, soil, and crop grain following a high application of municipal biosolids to a field. Science of the Total Environment, 574: 1345–1359 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.044
16	T Gouin , T Harner . (2003). Modelling the environmental fate of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Environment International, 29(6): 717–724 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(03)00116-8
17	W Han , G H Gao , J Y Geng , Y Li , Y Y Wang . (2018). Ecological and health risks assessment and spatial distribution of residual heavy metals in the soil of an e-waste circular economy park in Tianjin, China. Chemosphere, 197: 325–335 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.043
18	Y D Huang , D N Zhang , Y Yang , X Y Zeng , Y Ran . (2018). Distribution and partitioning of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments from the Pearl River Delta and Guiyu, South China. Environmental Pollution, 235: 104–112 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.049
19	E Iloms , O O Ololade , H J O Ogola , R Selvarajan . (2020). Investigating industrial effluent impact on municipal wastewater treatment plant in Vaal, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3): 1096 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17031096
20	O H Jacobsen , P Moldrup , C Larsen , L Konnerup , L W Petersen . (1997). Particle transport in macropores of undisturbed soil columns. Journal of Hydrology (Amsterdam), 196(1–4): 185–203 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(96)03291-X
21	I Labunska , S Harrad , M J Wang , D Santillo , P Johnston . (2014). Human dietary exposure to PBDEs around e-waste recycling sites in Eastern China. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(10): 5555–5564 https://doi.org/10.1021/es500241m
22	R J Law , A Covaci , S Harrad , D Herzke , M A E Abdallah , K Fernie , L M L Toms , H Takigami . (2014). Levels and trends of PBDEs and HBCDs in the global environment: status at the end of 2012. Environment International, 65: 147–158 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.01.006
23	A O W Leung , W J Luksemburg , A S Wong , M H Wong . (2007). Spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in soil and combusted residue at Guiyu, an electronic waste recycling site in southeast China. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(8): 2730–2737 https://doi.org/10.1021/es0625935
24	J Levison , K Novakowski , E J Reiner , T Kolic . (2012). Potential of groundwater contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a sensitive bedrock aquifer (Canada). Hydrogeology Journal, 20(2): 401–412 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0813-3
25	W L Li , W L Ma , Z F Zhang , L Y Liu , W W Song , H L Jia , Y S Ding , H Nakata , N H Minh , R K Sinha . et al.. (2017). Occurrence and source effect of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in soils from five Asian countries and their relationship with PBDEs. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(19): 11126–11135 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03207
26	J Ma , R Addink , S H Yun , J P Cheng , W H Wang , K Kannan . (2009). Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soil, vegetation, workshop-floor dust, and electronic shredder residue from an electronic waste recycling facility and in soils from a chemical industrial complex in eastern China. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(19): 7350–7356 https://doi.org/10.1021/es901713u
27	S K Mohanty , M C D Bulicek , D W Metge , R W Harvey , J N Ryan , A B Boehm . (2015a). Mobilization of microspheres from a fractured soil during intermittent infiltration events. Vadose Zone Journal, 14(1): 1–10 https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2014.05.0058
28	S K Mohanty , J E Saiers , J N Ryan . (2014). Colloid-facilitated mobilization of metals by freeze-thaw cycles. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(2): 977–984 https://doi.org/10.1021/es403698u
29	S K Mohanty , J E Saiers , J N Ryan . (2015b). Colloid mobilization in a fractured soil during dry-wet cycles: role of drying duration and flow path permeability. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(15): 9100–9106 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b00889
30	S K Mohanty , J E Saiers , J N Ryan . (2016). Colloid mobilization in a fractured soil: effect of pore-water exchange between preferential flow paths and soil matrix. Environmental Science & Technology, 50(5): 2310–2317 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b04767
31	I Navarro , A de la Torre , P Sanz , M A Porcel , G Carbonell , M D Martinez . (2018). Transfer of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), decabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-209) and dechlorane plus (DP) from biosolid-amended soils to leachate and runoff water. Environmental Chemistry, 15(4): 195–204 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN18032
32	A Palm , I T Cousins , D Mackay , M Tysklind , C Metcalfe , M Alaee . (2002). Assessing the environmental fate of chemicals of emerging concern: a case study of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Environmental Pollution, 117(2): 195–213 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00276-7
33	W K Qiu , T Ma , R Liu , Y Du . (2020). Aluminum hydroxide colloid facilitated transport of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in porous media. Chemosphere, 258: 127321 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127321
34	K Schelde , P Moldrup , O H Jacobsen , H De Jonge , L W De Jonge , T Komatsu . (2002). Diffusion-limited mobilization and transport of natural colloids in macroporous soil. Vadose Zone Journal, 1(1): 125–136 https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2002.1250
35	T K Sen , K C Khilar . (2006). Review on subsurface colloids and colloid-associated contaminant transport in saturated porous media. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 119(2–3): 71–96
36	T L ter Laak , F J M Busser , J L M Hermens . (2008). Poly(dimethylsiloxane) as passive sampler material for hydrophobic chemicals: Effect of chemical properties and sampler characteristics on partitioning and equilibration times. Analytical Chemistry, 80(10): 3859–3866 https://doi.org/10.1021/ac800258j
37	S Torkzaban , S A Bradford , S L Walker . (2007). Resolving the coupled effects of hydrodynamics and DLVO forces on colloid attachment in porous media. Langmuir, 23(19): 9652–9660 https://doi.org/10.1021/la700995e
38	C F Wu , Y M Luo , S P Deng , Y Teng , J Song . (2014). Spatial characteristics of cadmium in topsoils in a typical e-waste recycling area in southeast China and its potential threat to shallow groundwater. Science of the Total Environment, 472: 556–561 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.084
39	J Wu , J Lu , J Wu . (2022). Adsorption and desorption of steroid hormones on saline soil. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 16(11): 140 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-022-1575-y
40	J P Wu , Y Zhang , X J Luo , Y Z She , L H Yu , S J Chen , B X Mai . (2012). A review of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and alternative brominated flame retardants in wildlife from China: levels, trends, and bioaccumulation characteristics. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China, 24(2): 183–194 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(11)60758-4
41	Z N Wu , W Han , M M Xie , M Han , Y Li , Y Y Wang . (2019). Occurrence and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soils from an e-waste recycling area in northern China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 167: 467–475 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.10.029
42	S Yu , P Zou , W Zhu , L Xiao , A J Miao , L J Jiang , X L Wang , J Wu , L Y Yang . (2013). Effects of humic acid and Tween-80 on behavior of decabromodiphenyl ether in soil columns. Environmental Earth Sciences, 69(5): 1523–1528 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1986-3
43	S Yu , P Zou , W Zhu , L Y Yang , L Xiao , L J Jiang , X L Wang , J Wu , Y Yuan . (2010). Effects of humic acids and microorganisms on decabromodiphenyl ether, 4,4′-dibromodiphenyl ether and anthracene transportation in soil. Science China. Chemistry, 53(4): 950–958 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-0126-8
44	C Y Yue , L Y Li . (2013). Filling the gap: estimating physicochemical properties of the full array of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Environmental Pollution, 180: 312–323 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.05.029
45	Y F Zhang , B D Xi , W B Tan . (2021). Release, transformation, and risk factors of polybrominated diphenyl ethers from landfills to the surrounding environments: a review. Environment International, 157: 106780 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106780
46	X Zhao , W Li , W Wang , J J Liu , Y J Yu , Y Li , X C Chen , Y Liu . (2023). Legacies and health risks of heavy metals, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans at e-waste recycling sites in South China. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 17(7): 79 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-023-1679-z
47	J Zhuang , J F Mccarthy , J S Tyner , E Perfect , M Flury . (2007). In situ colloid mobilization in hanford sediments under unsaturated transient flow conditions: effect of irrigation pattern. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(9): 3199–3204 https://doi.org/10.1021/es062757h
48	J Zhuang , J S Tyner , E Perfect . (2009). Colloid transport and remobilization in porous media during infiltration and drainage. Journal of Hydrology (Amsterdam), 377(1–2): 112–119 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.08.011

[1]

FSE-23078-OF-HZB_suppl_1

Download

[1]	Yanpeng Huang, Chao Wang, Yuanhao Wang, Guangfeng Lyu, Sijie Lin, Weijiang Liu, Haobo Niu, Qing Hu. Application of machine learning models in groundwater quality assessment and prediction: progress and challenges[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(3): 29-.
[2]	Ziyue Yin, Qing Lin, Shaohui Xu. Using hydrochemical signatures to characterize the long-period evolution of groundwater information in the Dagu River Basin, China[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 105-.
[3]	Min ZHANG,Jian LU,Yiliang HE,P Chris WILSON. Photocatalytic degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in pure water system[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2016, 10(2): 229-235.
[4]	Min ZHANG,Jian LU,Zhencheng XU,Yiliang HE,Bo ZHANG,Song JIN,Brian BOMAN. Removing polybrominated diphenyl ethers in pure water using Fe/Pd bimetallic nanoparticles[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2015, 9(5): 832-839.
[5]	Baohua TANG, Lingyan ZHU, Qixing ZHOU. Joint effects of Penta-BDE and heavy metals on Daphnia magna survival, its antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation[J]. Front Envir Sci Eng Chin, 2011, 5(1): 99-110.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed