Grantee Research Project Results
Sorbent-Amended Caps for PFAS-Contaminated Sediments
EPA Grant Number: SU840180Title: Sorbent-Amended Caps for PFAS-Contaminated Sediments
Investigators: Lampert, David , Sandhu, Amandeep , Atoufi, Hossein
Current Investigators: Lampert, David , Sandhu, Amandeep , Atoufi, Hossein , Manwatkar, Prashik , Manoharan, Monika , Slominski, Anna , Tomasek, Anastasia , Snitovsky, Claire , Taher, Hibatullah , Khanolkar, Janhavi , Davis, Cornelius
Institution: Illinois Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Phase: I
Project Period: December 28, 2020 through November 30, 2021
Project Amount: $25,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Description:
The widespread existence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment represents an emerging issue due to their stability, bioaccumulation potential, and risks to human and ecological well-being. Areas where PFAS have been released into the environment have contaminated soils and sediments that now pose bioaccumulation risks. The hypothesis underlying this investigation is that sequestration of PFAS in contaminated sediments is a cost-effective approach to reduce environmental risks. The long-term goal of this project is to develop a sorbent-enhanced sand capping technology for PFAS-contaminated sediments to reduce mobilization and bioaccumulation. The specific objectives of the project are to: 1) conduct laboratory-scale experiments to examine the effectiveness of sediment caps for PFAS containment, 2) develop analytical methods for PFAS using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS), 3) characterize PFAS transport through caps made of different sorbent materials using fate and transport models, 4) assess the costs of various capping alternatives. The project will benefit people living in areas historically exposed to PFAS, many of whom are members of disadvantaged communities.
Approach:
The project team will construct a series of lab-scale microcosms of riverine environments to test the efficacy of capping materials for containing PFAS-contaminated sediments. An analytical method to determine PFAS concentrations in sediment pore water will be developed using LC/MS. Sediments will be spiked with PFAS and placed into a bed within the microcosms. Various capping materials will then be placed above the sediments and analyzed for effectiveness. The pore water concentration migration within the microcosms will be monitored for PFAS over time. The estimated breakthrough of PFAS at the surface will provide an indication of the effectiveness of each cap and ensure that the technology provides protection for both people and the planet. A sediment cap model will be developed to explain the observed PFAS fate and transport, predict with long-term performance, and assist with the scale-up analysis. Cost estimates for various cap material combinations will be developed and used to assess the most economical approach for PFAS risk reduction. The cost analysis will provide an indication of the potential of the technology to ensure prosperity. An interdisciplinary student team from engineering, chemistry, and business will work to address this critical sustainability challenge, which will provide important educational benefits to the students, communities affected by PFAS, and entities that manage PFAS contaminated sites.
Expected Results:
The project is expected to provide new insight into the efficacy of PFAS remediation using capping technologies. Capping is a proven approach for contaminated sediment management, but there have been limited efforts to assess capping in PFAS-contaminated areas. While there is existing literature on PFAS sorption to various materials, there have been few efforts to extend these data for capping and in-situ sequestration. This project will develop a framework for remediation of PFAS-contaminated sediments and provide insight into the costs and benefits of alternative materials for sediment caps. The results are expected to be of value to communities that are at risk of exposure to PFAS. Evaluation of the success of the technology will be based on the reduction in pore water concentrations from the underlying sediment to the overlying water, estimated to breakthrough, and costs for cap implementation.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Sediments, soils, adsorption, chemical transport, bioavailability, remediation, cleanup, environmental chemistry, monitoringProgress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase II:
Sorbent-Amended Caps for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Sediment | 2023 Progress ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.