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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, M. Johnson, C. Su, D. Bless, D. Cutt, R. Henderek, S. Hartzell, K. Dasu, R. Iery, AND A. Dindal. Identification of an Immobilization Technology for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Soil and Sediments. SUPERFUND RESEARCH PROGRAM 2018 Annual Meeting, Sacramento, CA, November 28 - 30, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall objective of this laboratory scale research project was to identify a remediation approach with stabilizing agents that would be capable of immobilizing PFAS in two Superfund site soils. The project team evaluated both natural and commercially available PFAS stabilizing agents, as well as potentially developing a chemical formulation for a new stabilizing agent. The research involved three steps: 1) conduct laboratory isotherm/partitioning treatability study with up to four identified PFAS stabilizing agent formulations for two site-specific soil; 2) determine and document partitioning coefficients after treatment with the stabilizing agents to identify ‘best performing’ agents; and 3) conduct EPA’s SPLP leaching test on the ‘best performing’ agents for the common compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS) with potential sorbents such as activated carbon, biochar and commercial organoclay.
Description:
The production and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has contaminated soil, groundwater, and surface water which is impacting drinking water supplies (public and private) in EPA Regions across the nation. PFAS contaminated soils can act as a long-term source of contamination to groundwater and surface water. Physical, chemical, and biological treatment technologies for PFAS remediation in soils are in their infancy, with capping or excavation and disposal in landfills as viable options at many sites in the U.S. PFAS remediation is challenging since these compounds are resistant to destruction or degradation.