Testing for presence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the Upper North Branch Chicago River and North Shore Channel
Location
Golden Eagles
Start Date
2-5-2025 10:10 AM
Department
Chemistry
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals synthesized for manufactured products since the 1930s, including fast food wrappers, non-stick surfaces, and waterproof clothing. The chemical properties of PFAS make them resistant to degradation, and thus are referred to as “forever chemicals”. PFAS have been classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen, and have been detected in waterways. Because the Upper North Branch Chicago River (river) and North Shore Channel (channel) below the O’Brien Wastewater Treatment Plant are used by many populations, we selected them to determine the presence of PFAS.The land use of the watershed of the river includes residential neighborhoods, commercial and industrial uses, and open/parkland, while the channel’s land use is predominantly residential and commercial lots. To determine PFAS concentrations in the river and channel, we performed water sample filtration and HPLC separation using EPA method 537.1. Standard chromatograms for two types of PFAS were generated to allow identification of these PFAS in our samples. Concentrated samples were analyzed in HPLC via UV-VIS at wavelengths between 220 to 290 nm using the recommended gradient of deionized water with 0.1% TFA and HPLC-grade methanol. The results from the HPLC analysis revealed various peaks, but none corresponded to the retention times of the standard PFA compounds (220 mAU). There were several significant peaks at the six-minute retention time, which may indicate the presence of different PFAS. Future research should use mass spectrometry to identify the substances that are associated with these peaks .
Faculty Sponsor
Kenneth Nicholson
Faculty Sponsor
John Kasmer
Testing for presence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the Upper North Branch Chicago River and North Shore Channel
Golden Eagles
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals synthesized for manufactured products since the 1930s, including fast food wrappers, non-stick surfaces, and waterproof clothing. The chemical properties of PFAS make them resistant to degradation, and thus are referred to as “forever chemicals”. PFAS have been classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen, and have been detected in waterways. Because the Upper North Branch Chicago River (river) and North Shore Channel (channel) below the O’Brien Wastewater Treatment Plant are used by many populations, we selected them to determine the presence of PFAS.The land use of the watershed of the river includes residential neighborhoods, commercial and industrial uses, and open/parkland, while the channel’s land use is predominantly residential and commercial lots. To determine PFAS concentrations in the river and channel, we performed water sample filtration and HPLC separation using EPA method 537.1. Standard chromatograms for two types of PFAS were generated to allow identification of these PFAS in our samples. Concentrated samples were analyzed in HPLC via UV-VIS at wavelengths between 220 to 290 nm using the recommended gradient of deionized water with 0.1% TFA and HPLC-grade methanol. The results from the HPLC analysis revealed various peaks, but none corresponded to the retention times of the standard PFA compounds (220 mAU). There were several significant peaks at the six-minute retention time, which may indicate the presence of different PFAS. Future research should use mass spectrometry to identify the substances that are associated with these peaks .