Spatio-Temporal Variability of PFAS Compounds in Groundwater in the Veneto Region, Italy (2013–2023)

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of anthropogenic organic chemicals that have emerged as persistent environmental contaminants. In 2013, widespread contamination of surface water, groundwater, and drinking water was identified in three provinces of the Veneto Region, northern Italy, significantly impacting nearly 30 municipalities. The contamination was mainly caused by industrial discharges of fluorinated chemicals into local water bodies from a chemical manufacturing facility and other industrial activities. While the production and use of PFAS chemicals have since been regulated in the region, concerns remain regarding the long-term persistence of PFAS in groundwater due to their environmental stability. This study analyzes groundwater monitoring data collected over a 10-year period (2013–2023) to evaluate temporal trends and spatial variability in PFAS concentrations across the region. The dataset contains concentrations of key PFAS compounds, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and other prevalent species, collected from multiple groundwater monitoring wells. We used statistical methods to analyze temporal patterns and geostatistical methods for spatial mapping of contamination hotspots. Preliminary findings indicate heterogeneous spatio-temporal trends among various PFAS compounds, with some exhibiting significant variations over time and location, while others remained relatively stable. These findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of PFAS in groundwater, aiding in developing future monitoring strategies and mitigation efforts.