Remediation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances using Colloidal Activated Carbon

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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.