Sources and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tributaries of Green Bay

Abstract

Presented by: Sarah Balgooyen – Post-doctoral researcher at University of Wisconsin-Madison, balgooyen@wisc.edu

Co-authors: Christina K. Remucal

Abstract: The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the watersheds of the Great Lakes is of emerging concern to stakeholders, including the public and water quality managers. Activity at a fire technology facility in Marinette, WI has led to elevated PFAS concentrations in groundwater, private drinking water wells, and surface waters. However, little is known about the extent of PFAS contamination in local tributaries, sediments, and nearby Green Bay. The primary goal of our project is to quantify PFAS concentrations in rivers, Green Bay, and Lake Michigan to test the hypothesis that tributaries around Green Bay are hotspots of PFAS contamination. We analyzed seven perfluorocarboxylates and three perfluorosulfonates in water and sediment samples from 45 Green Bay tributaries. These measurements are used to calculate partition coefficients under field conditions, which is important for determining the mobility of PFAS throughout the watersheds. Together, this data provides insight into the sources and fate of PFAS compounds in Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

Biography: Sarah Balgooyen is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying contamination of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the Great Lakes region, specifically in tributaries of Green Bay. Sarah has a PhD in Environmental Chemistry and Technology from UW-Madison (2019) and a BS in Chemistry from Michigan State University (2013). Before coming to Madison, she worked at Proto Manufacturing in Detroit specializing in X-ray analytical techniques.