Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFACs) are a group of fluorinated surfactants that are widely used in fire retardants due to their high thermal stability and hydrophobic nature. These properties of PFACs make them non-biodegradable and thereby persistent in the environment and thus constitute a significant concern especially in matrices such as groundwater. This study is an attempt to develop an effective process for the in-situ remediation for groundwater contaminated by PFACs. Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles are currently used to remediate halogenated contaminants in groundwater either by direct reductive decomposition or by generating transient, highly reactive species from common oxidants which then go on to attack target contaminants. In this presentation, we will discuss the heterogeneous decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) via advanced oxidation using nZVI in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, peroxymonosulfate, and persulfate.

Integrated decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid by advanced oxidation activated by nanoscale zerovalent iron

246th National Meeting (2013)

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