Iron-activated persulfate oxidation degrades aqueous Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at ambient temperature. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tran, Thien; Abrell, Leif; Brusseau, Mark L.; Chorover, Jon
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 281(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Mass spectrometry -- Ferric oxide -- Emerging contaminants -- Perfluorinated compounds -- Environmental remediation -- PFAS; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130824
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, C8 HF15 O2 ) is an industrial surfactant that is highly resistant to natural breakdown processes such as those mediated by heat, hydrolysis, photolysis, and biodegradation. Many efforts have been developed to breakdown PFOA to less harmful species due to its widespread human exposure and potential toxicity. However, these methods require high temperature or specialized equipment with serious disadvantages of high energy cost for long-term use. We investigated the effectiveness of PFOA degradation by ferrous iron-activated persulfate oxidation (IAPO) under various aqueous geochemical conditions. Approximately 64% of PFOA (initial concentration = 1.64 μmol L −1 ) was degraded after 4 h under illuminated anoxic conditions at ambient temperature. This degradation rate and magnitude support the potential use of IAPO as a novel inexpensive and environmentally friendly method to remediate PFOA in soil and groundwater. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A novel method was developed to breakdown PFOA at ambient temperature. Fe 2+ was used as an activator for persulfate oxidation to breakdown PFOA. Illuminated anoxic conditions had the highest degradation rate with 64% of PFOA loss. The method may be a low energy cost and eco-friendly treatment.