Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent and toxic pollutants which bioaccumulate in the environment. Exposure to PCBs can cause a multitude of health issues including reproductive issues and cancers. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) has been used to examine a data set in order to apportion sources of PCBs in wastewater in the District of Columbia. The fate of PCBs in wastewater is essential to evaluate the feasibility of wastewater treatment processes and any environmental risk. A data set containing 64 chromatographic peaks representing 94 PCB congeners measured in 89 whole water samples was analyzed using high resolution mass spectrometry (EPA method 1668, revision A). PMF resolved four factors. Three factors represent relatively unweathered Aroclors, specifically 1242, 1254, and 1260. The last resolved factor represents an advanced dehalogenation regime of PCBs. PCBs could be dissolved in aqueous systems or sorbed onto particles and may undergo dechlorination to less toxic congeners in combined sewer systems before reaching the wastewater treatment facility. Once within the facility, the compounds may further undergo volatilization during aeration as well as sorption and sedimentation in the sedimentation basins. In addition, PCBs might even undergo biodegradation throughout the various compartments of the treatment system. Such biological, physical and chemical processes may assist in rendering these compounds less toxic as well as reducing the exposure to the public. Future research is aimed at exploring where, when, and under which conditions PCB dehalogenation is occurring.

Source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls in District of Columbia wastewater

254th National Meeting (2017)

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