The pine tree is more than just a common sight in North Carolina, it is also a handy tool for monitoring the proliferation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Researchers from North Carolina State University used historical and current pine needle samples to trace the presence and concentrations of over 70 different types of PFAS in six North Carolina counties. Over a 50-year period, the findings show the evolution of PFAS in the state.
Why do pine needles have needles?
They are everywhere in the state and free, so it is very easy to sample many locations without having to build and retrieve expensive equipment.
As for the needles themselves, the waxy coating protects them from the elements and also acts as an efficient trap for airborne contaminants. Since pine trees drop their needles on an annual schedule, researchers can be certain of when they take samples.
The pine needle samples were obtained from sites in Durham, Wayne, Cumberland, Robeson, Onslow and Brunswick counties.
They compared samples from the NC State and Duke University herbaria with samples from the same counties from 1961 to the present.
We were focused on locations that have modern data for, as well as locations that are associated with PFAS, like airports, firefighter training sites and chemical plants like the Chemours facility.
The researchers analyzed the samples by using a variety of instruments. The multi-dimensional approach ensured accuracy when distinguishing between the different chemicals.
The results are a snapshot of the history of PFAS in central and eastern North Carolina.
When the new, shorter chain chemicals were introduced, and when old ones were phased out, we could trace real-time changes inContamination.
The researchers hope that this work will lead to other researchers using passive sampling to monitor the spatial and temporal distribution of PFAS.
This is applicable to sites all over the world, and it shows the ability of plants with waxy coating to serve as sentinel.
The research is in Environmental Science and Technology.
More information: Kaylie I. Kirkwood et al, Utilizing Pine Needles to Temporally and Spatially Profile Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Environmental Science & Technology (2022). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06483 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Citation: Pine needles tell the story of PFAS in North Carolina (2022, February 21) retrieved 21 February 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-02-needles-story-pfas-north-carolina.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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