Multiphysics Numerical Modeling of Transient Transport of PFAS

Arvin Farid, Pierrette Iradukunda

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of very persistent chemicals, labeled forever chemicals, because of their indestructibility due to their strong C-F bond. PFAS are among emerging contaminants of high concern due to their widespread contamination in the geoenvironment. PFAS are mobile, toxic, manufactured chemicals with very stable molecules and, hence, persistent in the environment. The more persistent presence of PFAS in the vadose (i.e., unsaturated) zone of soil complicates their transport due to their adsorption onto the air–water interface. The micelles formation on the air–water interface can significantly increase the retention of PFAS during its transport and turn the vadose zone into a long-term source of PFAS, slowly releasing PFAS into groundwater. This paper describes the development and testing of a one-dimensional (1D) numerical model that simulates PFAS transport, accounting for diffusion, advection, solid-phase adsorption, and air–water interface adsorption. The code is one-way coupled with a transient seepage model to account for the seepage impact on the PFAS transport, but not vice versa). After testing, the numerical model was then used to study various scenarios to evaluate the impact of solid adsorption and micelle formation on the PFAS transport.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationClimate Change Adaptation from Geotechnical Perspectives
Subtitle of host publicationSelect Proceedings of CREST 2023
EditorsHemanta Hazarika, Stuart Kenneth Haigh, Babloo Chaudhary, Masanori Murai, Suman Manandhar
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages387-399
Number of pages13
ISBN (Print)9789819992140
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Event2nd International Conference on Construction Resources for Environmentally Sustainable Technologies, CREST 2023 - Fukuoka, Japan
Duration: 20 Nov 202322 Nov 2023

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume447
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference2nd International Conference on Construction Resources for Environmentally Sustainable Technologies, CREST 2023
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityFukuoka
Period20/11/2322/11/23

Keywords

  • Contaminant
  • Fire suppression
  • PFAS
  • Wildfire

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multiphysics Numerical Modeling of Transient Transport of PFAS'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this