HS8.1.1 | Occurrence, fate and remediation of natural and engineered particles and PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial systems
EDI
Occurrence, fate and remediation of natural and engineered particles and PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial systems
Convener: Constantinos V. Chrysikopoulos | Co-conveners: Fritjof Fagerlund, Markus Flury, Yingxue Yu, Thilo Hofmann, Tissa Illangasekare

Emerging contaminants (inorganic particles, biocolloids, plastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals) in the subsurface are of great concern because of their potential adverse effects on ecosystem functions, wildlife and human health. They may also alter the transport properties of other dissolved substances and change the hydraulic properties of subsurface systems. On the other hand, engineered particles and biocolloids play an important role in site remediation and aquifer restoration. Although there is extended experience in dealing with the colloidal domain in subsurface media, new particles pose new challenges and one has to acknowledge that the analytical window to the colloidal domain is nowadays wide open: some of the "old" concepts likely need to be reevaluated.

Recent research on PFAS has raised concerns and led to stricter regulation in many countries. PFAS combines aqueous mobility, extreme recalcitrance and adverse health effects at very low concentrations. This requires immediate actions to reduce their release and spreading, better understand their transport and associated risks, and to remove them from the environment. The unique properties of PFAS also pose many additional challenges for groundwater management, risk assessment and remediation. Many processes in both the groundwater and vadose zones need to be better understood and there is an urgent need for improved remediation and mitigation methods. Field testing and upscaling findings from laboratory batch and column testing conducted under idealized soil conditions to natural conditions at field sites is critical.

This interdisciplinary session fosters the exchange among scientists from hydrogeology, microbiology, ecotoxicology, engineering, and analytical chemistry in order to provide a general picture of the occurrence and fate of natural and engineered particles and PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial systems. The presented papers will provide better process understanding through laboratory and field research, modeling, and site characterization to address new challenges and solutions associated with contamination of the soil-groundwater system by PFAS and particles as well as unsolved challenges related to other emerging or traditional contaminants.