Electrochemical destruction and mobilization of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in saturated soil

Jie Hou; Guoao Li; Mingrui Liu; Liang Chen; Ye Yao; Paul H Fallgren; Song Jin

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132205

Electrochemical destruction and mobilization of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in saturated soil

Chemosphere. 2022 Jan;287(Pt 3):132205. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132205. Epub 2021 Sep 10.

Authors

Jie Hou¹, Guoao Li², Mingrui Liu¹, Liang Chen³, Ye Yao¹, Paul H Fallgren⁴, Song Jin⁵

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China; Department of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 10083, PR China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin, PR China; Department of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China. Electronic address: liangchen@tju.edu.cn.
⁴ Advanced Environmental Technologies LLC, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA.
⁵ Advanced Environmental Technologies LLC, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA; Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA.

PMID: 34563764
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132205

Abstract

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have attracted attention due to their widespread distribution, recalcitrance, and substantial toxicity. In this work, high concentrations of PFOA and PFOS were degraded and mobilized through electrochemical treatments in a simulated source zone of saturated soil. Under a low constant voltage and direct current of 24 V and 467-690 mA, approximately 51.7% and 33% of PFOA and PFOS were degraded, respectively. Additionally, a total defluorination mass balance of 44.7% and 23% were detected for PFOA and PFOS, respectively, which indicates that the removal of PFOA and PFOS occurs through its destruction. Substantial electromigration causes the destruction and mobilization of solid PFOA and PFOS to shift into the water phase. Although electrochemical oxidation of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were previously reported and studied, this study is one of the few that focus on simultaneous desorption, mobilization, and destruction of PFAS in saturated soil containing a low-intensity electrical field.

Keywords: Electrochemical remediation; Electromigration; PFAS; Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; Perfluorinated compounds.

MeSH terms

Alkanesulfonic Acids*
Caprylates
Fluorocarbons* / analysis
Soil

Substances

Alkanesulfonic Acids
Caprylates
Fluorocarbons
Soil
perfluorooctanoic acid
perfluorooctane sulfonic acid