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Efficient removal of PFAS in groundwater and landfill leachate using iron-modified peat residues and electrochemical oxidation

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Efficient removal of PFAS in groundwater and landfill leachate using iron-modified peat residues and electrochemical oxidation
Authors: Uwayezu, Jean Noel, Kumpiene, Jurate, Carabante, Ivan
Source: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 13(5)
Subject Terms: PFAS contamination, Groundwater, Landfill leachate, Waste reuse, Electrochemical oxidation, Avfallsteknik, Waste Science and Technology
Description: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently found in soil, groundwater, and landfill leachate, in the vicinity where materials containing PFAS have been disposed of, or in areas where activities involving the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) have been executed. Removing PFAS via adsorption is a cost-effective and practical method to clean PFAS from contaminated waters. However, challenges arise with the inefficient adsorption of short-chain PFAS and the breakthrough of the contaminant, demanding further advancement. The current study investigates the removal of PFAS using a byproduct generated during the production of Float Adsorb (GP) in combination with electrochemical oxidation (EO). The byproduct was modified by incorporating iron oxyhydroxides. Batch experiments were conducted to assess PFAS adsorption onto the iron-modified material (Fe-P) and (GP), followed by column experiments simulating upscaled treatment. Electrochemical oxidation was then applied to degrade PFAS that broke through the adsorbent. Results showed that iron-coated adsorbent (Fe-P) had a higher capability to retain PFAS than uncoated material (GP). The removal of PFAS in groundwater on batch mode reached an average of 84.5 ± 1.1 % using GP and 94.5 ± 0.3 %∑11PFAS using Fe-P with an L/S ratio of 10. The EO following column treatment effectively degraded PFAS not adsorbed by the Fe-P adsorbent, showing promising potential for PFAS treatment in solutions. Up to 94 % of ∑11 PFAS were removed in contaminated groundwater and 76 % in leachate. Our study highlighted the potential of combined sorption and electrochemical oxidation methods to remediate PFAS in contaminated waters.
File Description: electronic
Access URL: https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-114821
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.118833
Database: SwePub
Description
Abstract:Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently found in soil, groundwater, and landfill leachate, in the vicinity where materials containing PFAS have been disposed of, or in areas where activities involving the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) have been executed. Removing PFAS via adsorption is a cost-effective and practical method to clean PFAS from contaminated waters. However, challenges arise with the inefficient adsorption of short-chain PFAS and the breakthrough of the contaminant, demanding further advancement. The current study investigates the removal of PFAS using a byproduct generated during the production of Float Adsorb (GP) in combination with electrochemical oxidation (EO). The byproduct was modified by incorporating iron oxyhydroxides. Batch experiments were conducted to assess PFAS adsorption onto the iron-modified material (Fe-P) and (GP), followed by column experiments simulating upscaled treatment. Electrochemical oxidation was then applied to degrade PFAS that broke through the adsorbent. Results showed that iron-coated adsorbent (Fe-P) had a higher capability to retain PFAS than uncoated material (GP). The removal of PFAS in groundwater on batch mode reached an average of 84.5 ± 1.1 % using GP and 94.5 ± 0.3 %∑11PFAS using Fe-P with an L/S ratio of 10. The EO following column treatment effectively degraded PFAS not adsorbed by the Fe-P adsorbent, showing promising potential for PFAS treatment in solutions. Up to 94 % of ∑11 PFAS were removed in contaminated groundwater and 76 % in leachate. Our study highlighted the potential of combined sorption and electrochemical oxidation methods to remediate PFAS in contaminated waters.
DOI:10.1016/j.jece.2025.118833