In Situ Remediation Method for Enhanced Sorption of Perfluoro-Alkyl Substances onto Ottawa Sand
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 9
Abstract
Perfluoro-alkyl substances (PFAS) have drawn increased concern in recent years. Due to resistance to many remediation methods and potential for long-range transport, there is need for continued in situ remediation technique development. One such method is enhanced sorption onto aquifer material, thereby sequestering a plume and preventing long-range migration. Batch tests and column studies were carried out to evaluate the ability of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDM) and polyamine (PA) to enhance the adsorption of six PFAS onto Ottawa sand. At a dosage of of either PDM or PA, results show increases of adsorption of the tested PFAS in all batches by factors of 3.6–45. Column studies showed retention capacity increasing up to six times for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and 10 times for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Normalizing partitioning coefficients from batch tests to fraction of organic carbon suggest that an interaction other than PFAS associating with organic matter may be the main driving force behind sorption enhancement. These results suggest that this method shows promise for in situ remediation of PFAS-contaminated groundwater.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program. (SERDP ER-2425).
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 9 • September 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 13, 2017
Accepted: Mar 13, 2018
Published online: Jul 5, 2018
Published in print: Sep 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Dec 5, 2018
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