Grantee Research Project Results

PFASs Removal by Photocatalysis for Water Reuse

EPA Grant Number: SU839460
Title: PFASs Removal by Photocatalysis for Water Reuse
Investigators: Liu, Jia , Lydy, Michael J. , Goodson, Boyd , Geisler-Lee, Jane
Current Investigators: Liu, Jia , Lydy, Michael J. , Goodson, Boyd , Geisler-Lee, Jane , Xia, Chunjie , Hadiuzzaman, Md , Derby, Andrew , Gemeinhardt, Max E. , Eckert, Tristin , Lipe, Kierstin , Gu, Fengtian
Institution: Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019
Project Amount: $14,959
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2018) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards

Description:

Wastewater effluent (WE) reuse in agriculture is challenged by the presence of emerging organic contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the water, which bring potential adverse impacts on crops and human health. Photocatalysis is proposed in this study to remove PFASs before WE reuse. Zero valent iron (Fe⁰) nanoparticles (NPs) will be used for the first time in photoreactors to remove PFASs from WE. Regions lack freshwater supplies and have practiced WE reuse in the U.S. would benefit from the project.

Objective:

PFASs are ubiquitous in the environment in surface water, sediment, air, soil, and sludge[1-5] and have received global attention because of their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and possible adverse effects on living organisms [6, 7] . Hence, due to potential risks to human health, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been included in U.S. EPA’s third Contaminant Candidate List (CCL3) and also in the newly released CCL4 for further investigation and potential regulation [8] . In May 2016, U.S. EPA issued drinking water Health Advisories of 70 ng/L for both PFOA and PFOS, which applies to both short-term (i.e. weeks) and lifetime-exposure scenarios [9, 10] . PFASs comprise a large group of chemicals. Besides PFOA and PFOS, trace amounts of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), mainly resulting in the use of aqueous film forming foam, also present in contaminated soil, groundwater, and higher levels have been detected in human blood. PFASs have also been detected in wastewaters and WEs. With water shortage/crisis in many regions in the U.S., water reuse, such as WE reuse, has been proven a cost-effective solution, especially in agriculture, which consumes most of the freshwater. However, because of presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), including PFASs in the WEs, crops may get exposed to these contaminants through reclaimed water irrigation . In WEs that employ secondary or tertiary treatment, up to 1.1 µg/L of PFOA [11] , 0.2 µg/L of PFOS [12] , and 0.4 µg/L of PFNA [11] have been detected. Thus it is important to remove/reduce PFASs in WEs before reclaiming as irrigation water. The current treatment technologies (mainly membrane filtration, and granular-activated carbon adsorption ) generate ancillary waste streams needed to be further treated. Therefore, new technology for PFASs removal should be investigated to potentially degrade the PFASs during the removal process.

Approach:

The project broadens participation by involving students with diverse background in research. The project also provides potential research opportunities to SIUC undergraduate students through a variety of programs, such as the Research Enriched Academic Challenge (REACH) Program, Undergraduate Assistantship Program, McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program, Illinois Louis Strokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ILSAMP), as well as the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Educational resources developed from this project will also be available for students in three community colleges nearby (i.e. max. 30 min in drive): John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College, and Rend Lake College by offering free classes, as well as to high school students participated in Saluki H.S. Water Workshop hosted yearly by SIUC.

Expected Results:

Successful completion of Phases I of this project will demonstrate the effectiveness to remove and reduce PFASs from WEs by Fe⁰ NP-induced photocatalysis for their safe reuse in agriculture. Project results will be disseminated in water treatment, water reuse, and agricultural communities through oral/poster presentations at conferences and workshops, and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Contribution to Pollution Prevention or Control: A sustainable method of removing and reducing PFASs from WEs would reduce impact of PFASs on crops, on exposed soil, and surface water/groundwater through treated WE reuse in irrigation, thus reduce potential adverse impact on humans.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 7 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

nZVI, ultraviolet, visible light, wastewater treatment, water recycling

Progress and Final Reports:

Final Report

P3 Phase II:

PFASs Removal by Photocatalysis for Water Reuse  | 2021 Progress Report  | Final Report