Please join the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative for a virtual seminar presented by Juliana Leonel, Professor of Oceanography, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.

The title of her talk is "PFAS in Brazilian Waters: A Tale of Two Sources".

REGISTER FOR THE SEMINAR

Abstract: In the last decade, studies reported PFAS concentration south of the equator higher than those predicted by models based on global manufacturing of these compounds. Such discrepancies were especially higher for PFOS in South America. But, where is PFOS coming from? 

PFOS, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) were listed in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2019, thus can still be used for some acceptable purposes. As a country-Party to the Stockholm Convention, Brazil obtained a license to use PFOSF for the synthesis of sulfluramid (N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide, EtFOSA). Sulfluramid is used for the control of leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp.), especially in Eucalyptus and Pine plantations. Brazil, a major global agricultural producer, used approximately 30 tonnes a year of EtFOSA and, between 2003 and 2008, was the third largest consumer of PFOS and PFOS-related compounds in the world due to sulfluramid use. Sulfluramid is considered the most efficient and widely used ant-control pesticide in Brazil indicating that its application will continue indefinitely.Therefore, it is a potential indirect source of PFOS to the Southern Atlantic Ocean. 

Besides the sulfluramid use, what are the other sources of PFAS to Brazilian water? Until 2017 the only other use of PFAS reported in Brazil was PFOS as mist-suppressant in metal plating. However, historical uses are likely to have occurred, such as stain protection for papers and textiles, surfactants and aqueous fire-fighting foams (AFFF). Actually, a recent study identified 17 PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, in AFFFs applied to extinguish a major fire in a petrochemical terminal in Brazil. It represents a major concern, but data regarding AFFF uses are still scarce. 

Bio: I am an oceanographer, a scientist, a professor and a mother; not necessarily in that order. I have a major in oceanography, a doctoral degree in chemical oceanography and an (almost) 3-years old son. My research and teaching took me to different universities from the south to the north of Brazil, but also to Texas A&M University and the Health Department of New York in the USA as well as to Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and Stockholm University in Sweden. As a mother, Ian took me from water parks to experience sleep deprivation. 

I am currently a tenured professor at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, in Brazil. I work with marine pollution, mainly synthetic contaminants, such as persistent organic pollutants. I am also part of an initiative called Parent in Science which provides support to parents facing barriers in science, and promotes institutional changes.

In honor of World Water Day, join Notre Dame’s week-long celebration of all things water! To learn more about additional ND Water Week events, please visit environmentalchange.nd.edu/H2O.