PFAS Remediation in Australia: Progress Report and Improvements

This report provides an in-depth analysis of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) remediation efforts in Australia. It begins with an introduction to PFAS, their sources, and environmental impact, emphasizing their persistence and widespread presence in various environmental matrices like land, water, and waste. The report then outlines the research methodology, which includes a review of peer-reviewed materials and the adoption of a step-by-step approach for assessing and managing contaminated sites. The core of the report focuses on current remediation practices, including the use of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) technology, and the application of conceptual site models to understand and mitigate risks. The conclusion summarizes the prevalence of PFAS in Australia, highlighting the need for innovative remediation techniques and the importance of managing the risks associated with these persistent contaminants. The report also references relevant literature and guidelines, such as those from Engineers Australia and the Department of Defence, to support its findings and recommendations.

PFAS REMEDIATION IN
AUSTRALIA,CURRENT PRACTICES
AND IMPROVEMENTS

Introduction
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made
chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other
chemicals. ... PFAS can be found in: Food packaged in PFAS-
containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS, or
grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water

Research question objetives
• Provide choices for procedure leadership of contaminated land,
building and demolition waste and water at the building site, at the
base or in the area of the basin;
• To guarantee an embedded PFAS risk leadership strategy that
integrates any provisional measures to handle future hazards and
project conditions into the PFAS Management Zone Plan
• Minimizing the effect of PFAS risk mitigation
• Provide advice compatible usually with the PFAS Global
Environmental health Program

Research methodology
The research analysis involved compilation of various peer reviewed
materials as listed in the reference page
The research recognizes that a broad array and site particular methods
are essential for contaminated locations. A step-by-step method to
assess and manage the prospective contaminated locations of PFOS /
PFOA in accordance with the ASC NEPM level evaluation should be
adopted by commonwealth organizations to provide information for
risk leadership choices.

Data collection and project plan flowchat
Monitor Take actionNo action
needed*
Investigation levels
exceeded?
Site management
plan required? Site remediation
required?
Sufficient
information for
risk-based
decision?
Sufficient
information to
apply site specific
criteria and risk
assessment?
Tier 1 Preliminary site
investigation and
laboratory analysis
Develop conceptual
site model
Choose appropriate
investigation levels
Tier 1 Detailed site
investigation and
laboratory analysis
Refine conceptual site
model
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
YesYes
No
Yes
No
n=1
No
No
Sufficient information
or risk-based
remediation
strategies?
Potential
PFOS/PFOA
contaminating
activities?
Tier 2 and 3
Site-specific risk
assessment
Additional investigation
and laboratory analysis
Refine conceptual site
model

Remedial activities
• Use of conceptual site model to know the risks
• Application of Granular activated carbon (GAC) Technology

conclusions
PFAS occurs in Australia in small levels in land, sediment, ground water,
ground water, biota and waste including strong waste (such as building
waste and biosolids) and wastewater (wastewater therapy plant fluid), due
to its extensive implementation and persistence in the setting. The PFAS are
quickly spread through surface water drainage and ground water liquidation
into the setting (Engineersaustralia.org.au, 2019). Remediation techniques
are used to immobilize, extract or destruct the specific contaminants using
chemical and physical characteristics. Some PFAS have been regulated lately
and tentatively remediating the land, pollution and water. The chemical
characteristics of these compounds are distinctive and involve fresh
remediation techniques or creative combinations of current techniques

Refferences
• Defence.gov.au. (2019). What is PFAS?: PFAS : Department of Defence. [online] Available at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/Environment/PFAS/pfas.asp [Accessed 25 May 2019].
• Engineersaustralia.org.au. (2019). PFAS: Sustainable Management and Remediation | Engineers
Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/Event/pfas-sustainable-
management-and-remediation [Accessed 25 May 2019].
• McCarthy, C., Kappleman, W. and DiGuiseppi, W. (2017). Ecological Considerations of Per- and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Current Pollution Reports, 3(4), pp.289-301.
• McGregor, R. (2018). In Situ treatment of PFAS-impacted groundwater using colloidal activated
Carbon. Remediation Journal, 28(3), pp.33-41.
• Ross, I., McDonough, J., Miles, J., Storch, P., Thelakkat Kochunarayanan, P., Kalve, E., Hurst, J., S.
Dasgupta, S. and Burdick, J. (2019). A review of emerging technologies for remediation of PFASs.
• Westreich, P., Mimna, R., Brewer, J. and Forrester, F. (2019). The removal of short-chain and long-
chain perfluoroalkyl acids and sulfonates via granular activated carbons: A comparative column
study.