Experience

PFAS Signatures in Surface Water due to Petroleum Refinery Wastewater

This educational video illustrates how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) enter and move through surface water systems due to wastewater discharges from a petroleum refinery. Using a visually intuitive approach, the video helps viewers understand how different PFAS compounds, including telomers associated with AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam), appear in environmental samples.

 

Key Topics Covered:

  • Wastewater Discharge as a PFAS Source – Showing how PFAS concentrations increase downstream from a refinery’s outfall.
  • PFAS Compound Signatures – Highlighting telomer-based PFAS that indicate the historical use of firefighting foam.
  • Dilution Effects – Demonstrating how PFAS concentrations decrease with distance downstream due to mixing with cleaner water.
  • Graphical Data Presentation – A distinctive feature of this video is the use of clear, accessible graphics to show PFAS concentration trends—making complex environmental data understandable for non-technical stakeholders such as community members, legal teams, and regulators.

 

Site and data shown are hypothetical for educational purposes. There is no audio associated with this video.