STATEWIDE OCCURRENCE, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, AND SOURCE APPORTIONMENT OF PER- AND POLY-FLUOROALKYL COMPOUNDS IN GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS

New Jersey (NJ) residents demand potable water, and comprehensive research on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the ground- and drinking water systems due to their high historical use, lack of eco-friendly alternatives, persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity, and lack of recent statewide studies. The primary exposure to these chemicals is through drinking water systems, emphasizing the need to investigate groundwater. NJ has reported high concentrations of PFAS, and groundwater systems may become a major sink for PFAS pollution if not addressed promptly. Hence, this study examines the statewide distribution, occurrence, and sources of the most prevalent PFAS species in NJ's groundwater systems using ambient groundwater quality monitoring network (AGWQMN) data from 149 monitoring wells across the state. Spatial, statistical, principal component analyses (PCA), Varimax rotation, and K-means clustering were employed, and results showed that at least two PFAS species were detected above acceptable limits across most NJ counties, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) being the most dominant and uncommon species, respectively. A strong correlation exists among NJ PFAS species; with a rapid increase in short-chain concentrations. Essex County had the highest total PFAS concentration, while Cape May had the lowest. The study identified Superfund sites (SFSs), landfills, agricultural and industrial facilities, airports, and military bases as major sources of PFAS in NJ. The research concludes high levels of PFAS in NJ, and that county-specific mitigation measures, informed by continuous monitoring are essential to address the heterogeneous distribution of PFAS in NJ.