Study identifies source of long-term PFAS contamination in Rhode Island river

A recent study identified long-term sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Rhode Island’s Pawcatuck River. Led by University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography alumnus Jarod Snook, the study found that PFAS have been entering the river via two historically contaminated textile mill waste retention ponds in Bradford and Westerly, Rhode Island.

The study, “Characterization of the Potential Long-Term Impact from Sedimentary PFAS at a Historically Contaminated Textile Waste Site,” was coauthored by members of the Lohmann Lab at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography, including assistant professor Jitka Becanova, marine research associate Simon Vojta and professor Rainer Lohmann. Results were published in Environmental Science & Technology Water.

The two sites were previously identified by the Lohmann Lab as PFAS “hotspots,” where concentrations in the Pawcatuck River increased sharply downstream of the retention ponds.

Using environmental sampling techniques and modeling, researchers found that sediment at one of the ponds could continue releasing PFAS into the Pawcatuck River for more than 100 years. A passive sampling device designed by Snook allowed researchers to measure PFAS in the water and calculate the movement from contaminated sediments into surrounding waters over time.

“Rhode Islanders value their aquatic environment,” Snook says. “Keeping it free from pollution is part of that value. We hope this study sheds light on the PFAS issue affecting the Pawcatuck River so that action can be taken to remediate contamination at its source.”

The team says it aimed to better understand local contamination and demonstrate a transferable approach to PFAS site characterization.

“My hope is the results will be useful for Rhode Islanders as well as the scientific community,” Snook says. “Our method of assessing the site can be an example for many other PFAS-contaminated sites around the world. … We wanted regulators to have a foundation to start planning effective solutions.”