Factors influencing the long-term performance of colloidal activated carbon barriers for in situ containment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of persistent anthropogenic compounds that are ubiquitous in the environment. In situ adsorptive barriers created by direct injection of a CAC suspension into an aquifer within or downgradient of a PFAS plume are being used to mitigate the migration of PFAS away from the source. However, the long-term barrier performance remains uncertain under changing water chemistry scenarios and for a range of PFAS structures. This talk presents a comprehensive evaluation of the factors affecting the performance of CAC as an in-situ remediation technology. Specially, we assessed the impact of common groundwater solutes like salts, dissolved organic matter, and co-contaminants like diesel range organics on barrier longevity for a range of short chain and long chain PFAS. The impacts of these solutes in real water samples were evaluated, as well as the ability of these groundwater solutes to displace previously sorbed PFAS. Results presented provide practical information to remediation professionals and advance the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms governing sorptive PFAS interactions with activated carbon surfaces.

Gregory V. Lowry，卡内基梅隆大学土木与环境工程系教授，环境领域顶级期刊Environmental Science & Technology执行主编兼副主编。其研究主要聚焦金属、有机物和纳米材料在矿物–水界面及生物–水界面上的基础相互作用机制，并面向农业、环境修复和水处理等应用场景。已发表SCI论文240余篇，H指数（H-index）达106。其研究成果曾获美国环境工程与科学学会、美国土木工程学会、环境工程与科学教授协会等单位颁发的多项奖项。