Remediation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances using Colloidal Activated Carbon

该项目将开发一种创新的现场技术，用于对加拿大各地被全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质污染的地点进行补救。PFAS用于各种工业和商业产品，包括粘合剂、化妆品、清洁产品、水性成膜泡沫，以及织物、纸张和家具的防水、防污和防油涂层。两种最常见的全氟辛烷磺酸（PFOS）和全氟辛酸（PFOA）是新出现的地下水污染物，对加拿大和世界许多国家的饮用水资源构成广泛的风险。虽然在地下水中通常会检测到其他全氟辛烷磺酸，但目前的补救工作主要集中在全氟辛烷磺酸和全氟辛酸。由于PFAS的毒性，部分地区已经制定了或有望制定低至万亿分之一的污染物清除标准。本课题将研究基于胶体活性炭（CAC）的PFAS原位修复技术。CAC由微米级的活性炭颗粒组成，可以注入地下，形成一个固定的屏障区，可以吸附PFAS化合物，并将其从地下水中原位去除。这项研究的结果将是一个有效的和强大的原位技术，在加拿大和世界各地的PFAS污染的网站修复。这将为合作的行业合作伙伴在PFAS补救的新兴市场中提供实质性优势。该项目还将在环境工程和地下水补救方面培训14名高素质人员。

This project will develop an innovative in situ technology for the remediation of sites contaminatedwith per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across Canada. PFAS are used in a variety of industrial and commercial products, including adhesives, cosmetics, cleaning products, aqueous film-forming foams, as well as water-, stain-, and oil-resistant coatings for fabrics, paper, and furniture. The two most common PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are emerging groundwater contaminants and pose widespread risks to drinking water resources in Canada and many countries worldwide. Although there are other PFAS typically detected in groundwater, current remediation efforts focus mostly on PFOS and PFOA. Due to their toxicity, cleanup criteria at the low part per trillion levels have been established in some regions, or are expected to be established in the near future.In this project, we will investigate the remediation of PFAS in situ based on Colloidal Activated Carbon (CAC). CAC consists of micron-sized particles of activated carbon that can be injected into the subsurface to create a stationary barrier zone that can adsorb PFAS compounds and remove them from the groundwater in situ. The outcome of this research will be an effective and robust in situ technology for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated sites in Canada and around the world. This will provide the collaborating industry partners with a substantial advantage in the emerging market for PFAS remediation. The project will also train fourteen highly qualified personnel in skills in environmental engineering and groundwater remediation.