Identification of an Immobilization Technology for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Soil and Sediments
Citation:
McKernan, J., Ed Barth, C. Acheson, M. Mills, A. Dindal, R. Iery, AND K. Dasu. Identification of an Immobilization Technology for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Soil and Sediments. Presented at CEECHE 2018, Krakow, N/A, POLAND, June 10 - 14, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
The production and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has contaminated soil, groundwater, and surface water that impacts drinking water supplies (public and private) in Region 2 and across the nation. Many commercial and consumer products contain PFAS including surface treatments for textiles, paper and plastics; fluids used in metal plating operations; and aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) used for firefighting. The most commonly studied PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFAS contaminated soils can act as a long-term source of contamination to groundwater and surface water.
Description:
Technologies for PFAS remediation in soil are in their infancy stage, with excavation and disposal in landfills the only currently viable option at many sites in the U.S. PFAS remediation is challenging since some compounds are resistant to destruction or degradation. The overall objective of this work is to identify a remediation approach that is capable of immobilizing PFAS in soil. The presentation will discuss current research utilizing commercially available sources, and a developed formulation for PFAS stabilizing agent. Testing methods being used for these agents will be discussed as well. End results of this work will determine efficacy of various stabilizing agents. The research team believes the final stabilizing agent will likely have cementitious properties, and be added directly to the contaminated soil in some weight or volume percentage blended, then reacted (likely with water) to activate the stabilizing matrix. This research will have significant impact in the U.S., since it proposes an in-situ method of treating PFAS contaminated soils, which will eliminate this source of contamination to groundwater and surface water. This in situ treatment method for PFAS impacted soils will treat the problem at the source, thus minimizing disposal of these wastes at landfills.