TY - JOUR A1 - Roesch, Philipp A1 - Vogel, Christian A1 - Simon, Franz-Georg T1 - Reductive Defluorination and Mechanochemical Decomposition of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): From Present Knowledge to Future Remediation Concepts N2 - Over the past two decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have emerged as worldwide environmental contaminants, calling out for sophisticated treatment, decomposition and remediation strategies. In order to mineralize PFAS pollutants, the incineration of contaminated material is a state-of-the-art process, but more cost-effective and sustainable technologies are inevitable for the future. Within this review, various methods for the reductive defluorination of PFASs were inspected. In addition to this, the role of mechanochemistry is highlighted with regard to its major potential in reductive defluorination reactions and degradation of pollutants. In order to get a comprehensive understanding of the involved reactions, their mechanistic pathways are pointed out. Comparisons between existing PFAS decomposition reactions and reductive approaches are discussed in detail, regarding their applicability in possible remediation processes. This article provides a solid overview of the most recent research methods and offers guidelines for future research directions. KW - PFAS KW - Reductive defluorination KW - Reductive decomposition KW - Mechanochemistry KW - Remediation PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-513811 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197242 VL - 17 IS - 19 SP - 1 EP - 22 PB - MDPI AG CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-51381 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Vogel, Christian T1 - Mechanochemical remediation of PFAS in soils – Does it work? N2 - Current decontamination strategies of PFAS-burdened soils mainly consist of adsorption methods using adsorbents for fixation of PFAS in the ground. A second option is the utilization of a “pump and treat” process, cycling polluted soils through a washing plant leading to the concentration of the pollutants in the fine fraction. Only a subsequent, high-energy consuming pyrolysis process guarantees the total destruction of all fluorinated organic contaminants. These approaches are cost-intensive and not intended for the direct decomposition of all PFAS contaminants. Hence, there is a great demand for innovative developments and chemical treatment technologies, dealing with new strategies of tackling the PFAS problem. Thus, we investigated mechanochemical treatment of PFAS contaminated soils with various additives in a ball mill and analyzed the PFAS defluorination with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively, as well as the fluoride mineralization by ion chromatography (IC) and fluorine K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. T2 - Baltic Sea PFAS Network Coffee Session CY - Online meeting DA - 25.08.2023 KW - Mechanochemical treatment KW - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Remediation KW - X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58114 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Blotevogel, J. T1 - Thermal Destruction of PFAS N2 - Thermal treatment processes are currently the only full-scale option for thedestruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in large waste streams. While all organic molecules including PFAS are susceptible to thermal destruction, their decomposition rates are controlled by process variables such as temperature, reaction atmosphere, and residence time. Concerns exist about the formation of products of incomplete destruction and their emission from hazardous waste incinerators. This talk will summarize the current stateof-the-art of thermal PFAS destruction, identify research needs, and showcase future research designed to address critical knowledge gaps. T2 - Department of Defense's (DoD) Energy and Environment Innovation Symposium CY - Washington DC, USA DA - 28.11.2023 KW - Thermal treatment KW - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Remediation PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58974 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Vogel, Christian T1 - Detection, quantification, and treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater (DFEAT-PFAS) N2 - Over the past century, a range of synthetic compounds have been produced to improve humanity’s quality of life. These include pharmaceuticals, plastics, and other chemical compounds that possess properties making them potentially harmful when released to the environment (e.g., ecological and health impacts to humans and animals). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of chemicals used in the formulations of thousands of consumer goods, including aqueous film-forming foams used to suppress aviation fires in training scenarios, non-stick cookware, fast-food wrappers, water-repellent fabrics, medical equipment, and plastic and leather products. Because of the recent regulations and restrictions on the use of long chain (≥C8) PFAS a significant shift in the industry towards short (C4-C7) and ultrashort (C1-C3) chain alternatives has been recognized the last years. Due to the high polarity and water solubility of ultrashort PFAS, the potential for bioaccumulation is low. However, the high persistence of ultrashort-chain PFAS will result in environmental accumulation, especially in aquatic environments, leading to potential risks for aquatic organisms and increased human external exposure through drinking water. Ultrashort PFAS like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) are low to moderately toxic to a range of organisms. In addition, ultrashort PFAS can penetrate natural and anthropogenic barriers and eventually reach drinking water sources. Because common drinking water treatment techniques do not sufficiently remove them, they may reach human consumption. In the project we are focusing on detecting and removing PFAS, especially ultrashort-chain PFAS from contaminated groundwater. We are designing passive sampling devices, which can collect and monitor the temporal profile of PFAS species in groundwater. This will allow us to analyze PFAS contaminations in German and Israeli groundwater using state-of-the-art and novel analytical techniques and understand the extent of contamination. In addition to quantification, PFAS contaminated groundwater will be treated via a two-stage process to produce PFAS-free drinking water. As ultrashort-chain PFAS are difficult to analyze with the current target (LC-MS/MS) and sum parameter (AOF, EOF) analysis methods, we additionally using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Therefore, an analytical method based on GC-MS is in development to analyze the volatile ultrashort-chain PFAS (TFA, PFPrA, TFMS, PFEtS, PFPrS, trifluoroethanol, pentafluoropropanol and hexafluoro isopropanol) directly in contaminated groundwater samples with the headspace technique and in eluates of organic solvents from the developed passive sampler after direct injection. Moreover, a two-stages process is designed to increase the low concentrations found in groundwater using novel membranes processes such as closed-circuit reverse osmosis (CCRO) and mixed matrix composite nanofiltration membranes (MMCM). Next, the rejected streams containing higher concentrations of PFAS will be treated by coagulation, and the remaining PFAS adsorbed onto carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs). The DEFEAT-PFAS project will result in the development of novel tools to detect, quantify, and remove PFAS, especially ultrashort-chain PFAS from contaminated groundwater, and will acquire a new understanding of the extent of these contaminations. T2 - Dioxin Konferenz CY - Maastricht, Netherlands DA - 10.09.2023 KW - Ground water KW - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Remediation PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58346 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Singh, R. A1 - Vigelahn, L. A1 - Vogel, Christian A1 - Roesch, Philipp A1 - Simon, Franz-Georg A1 - Egloffstein, T. A1 - Birke, V. T1 - Rapid and Virtually Complete Mechanochemical Reductive Defluorination of Per- and Polyfluoro Alkyl Substances (PFAS) In Contaminated Soil Using Sodium and Amines as Co-milling Agents: A Promising First Approach for the Development of Novel Non-Combustion PFAS Remediation Processes for Soils N2 - PFAS contamination poses significant challenges due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. In recent years, conventional treatment methods, such as incineration, photolysis, and chemical oxidation, have been applied for PFAS treatment. However, these technologies have limitations in terms of their efficacy and cost-effectiveness for efficient PFAS degradation. Consequently, researchers have explored alternative approaches such as photocatalysis, sonochemical degradation, oxidation, electrochemical degradation, and mechanochemical degradation also known as DMCR (Dehalogenation by Mechanochemical Reaction) to address the remediation challenge posed by PFAS contaminated environments. Lab scale experiments were conducted using a planetary ball mill, procured from Retsch GmbH Germany, equipped with 50 mL steel grinding jars under controlled conditions to investigate the degradation of perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in contaminated model sand. The experiments were carried out in two stages: initially, with sand alone (15 g), and subsequently, with the addition of co-milling agents, that is, sodium metal (Na), Na with butylamine (BA), and Na with ethylenediamine (EDA) in different proportions. T2 - International CleanUp conference CY - Adelaide, Australia DA - 15.09.2024 KW - Mechanochemical treatment KW - Per- und Polyfluoroierte Alkylsubstanzen (PFAS) KW - Remediation PY - 2024 SP - 177 AN - OPUS4-61119 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Ronen, A. A1 - Panglisch, S. T1 - Detection, Quantification and Treatment of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Groundwater N2 - The research project focuses on tackling the detection, measurement, and elimination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from polluted groundwater, with a particular emphasis on addressing short (C4-C7) and ultrashort (C1-C3) chain PFAS. Given the widespread use of PFAS in various products, they are commonly found in groundwater near industrial and military sites in Germany and Israel. Moreover, recent regulations limiting the use of long chain PFAS have led industries to shift towards shorter chain alternatives. Hence, our efforts are geared towards refining detection, quantification, and removal methods for short and ultrashort chain PFAS. In terms of detection, ww are developing passive sampling devices capable of collecting and tracking the temporal distribution of PFAS species in groundwater. This will enable us to analyze contaminations in German and Israeli groundwater using cutting-edge analytical techniques. Additionally, contaminated groundwater will undergo a two-stage treatment process aimed at concentrating the relatively low PFAS concentrations using innovative membrane technologies such as closed-circuit reverse osmosis and mixed matrix composite nanofiltration membrane adsorbers. Subsequently, the streams containing higher PFAS concentrations will be treated through coagulation, with the remaining PFAS being adsorbed onto carbonaceous nanomaterials. The outcome of this research will include the creation of advanced tools for detecting, measuring, and eliminating PFAS from polluted groundwater, while also enhancing our understanding of the scope of these contaminations. T2 - German Israeli Water Technology Status Seminar CY - Koblenz, Germany DA - 18.06.2024 KW - Ground water KW - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Remediation PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60328 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Ronen, A. A1 - Vogel, Christian A1 - Leube, Peter A1 - Ben Efraim, R. A1 - Nir, O. A1 - Chaudhary, M. A1 - Futterlieb, M. A1 - Panglisch, S. T1 - DEFEAT-PFAS: Detection, Quantification, and Treatment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Groundwater N2 - The research project focuses on tackling the detection, measurement, and elimination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from polluted groundwater, with a particular emphasis on addressing short (C4-C7) and ultrashort (C1-C3) chain PFAS. Given the widespread use of PFAS in various products, they are commonly found in groundwater near industrial and military sites in Germany and Israel. Moreover, recent regulations limiting the use of long chain PFAS have led industries to shift towards shorter chain alternatives. Hence, our efforts are geared towards refining detection, quantification, and removal methods for short and ultrashort chain PFAS. In terms of detection, ww are developing passive sampling devices capable of collecting and tracking the temporal distribution of PFAS species in groundwater. This will enable us to analyze contaminations in German and Israeli groundwater using cutting-edge analytical techniques. Additionally, contaminated groundwater will undergo a two-stage treatment process aimed at concentrating the relatively low PFAS concentrations using innovative membrane technologies such as closed-circuit reverse osmosis and mixed matrix composite nanofiltration membrane adsorbers. Subsequently, the streams containing higher PFAS concentrations will be treated through coagulation, with the remaining PFAS being adsorbed onto carbonaceous nanomaterials. The outcome of this research will include the creation of advanced tools for detecting, measuring, and eliminating PFAS from polluted groundwater, while also enhancing our understanding of the scope of these contaminations. T2 - German Israeli Water Technology Status Seminar CY - Koblenz, Germany DA - 18.06.2024 KW - Ground water KW - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Remediation PY - 2024 UR - https://indico.scc.kit.edu/event/4029/attachments/7552/12045/Proceedings_Ger-Isr-Coop_Status-Seminar-2024.pdf SP - 33 EP - 36 AN - OPUS4-60331 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wittwer, Philipp A1 - Roesch, Philipp A1 - Vogel, Christian A1 - Simon, Fabian A1 - Gehrenkemper, Lennart A1 - Feldmann, Ines A1 - Simon, Franz-Georg T1 - Less Is More: Influence of Cross-Linking Agent Concentration on PFOS Adsorption in Chitosan N2 - As a result of the continuous use of persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), e.g., in aviation firefighting foams, contamination with PFAS has been found in soil, groundwater, and surface water around thousands of industrial and military installations. Due to their harmful (environmental) potential, further dispersion in the environment needs to be stopped, which can be achieved by appropriate absorption materials. In this work, the influence of the cross-linking agent epichlorohydrin (ECH) concentration on the perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) adsorption capacity of chitosan gel was investigated. It was found that higher ECH concentration during the cross-linking step decreases the PFOS adsorption capacity of the cross-linked chitosan gel from 0% to 4% ECH solution by about 15%. Using a concentration of 1%, ECH resulted still in an acid-stable material, and a maximum PFOS loading capacity of 4.04 mmol/g was obtained, one of the highest described in the literature. Furthermore, we used a rapid small-scale column test to compare the PFOS adsorption capacity of chitosan and activated carbon, each in both milled and unmilled form. Unmilled chitosan showed the highest PFOS adsorption capacity considering adsorption material dry masses (>0.9 and <0.4 mmol/g for both types of chitosan and activated carbon, respectively). Milled activated carbon proved to be the better adsorption material, considering the fixed volume of the adsorber (>99.9% PFOS adsorbed). Overall, the cross-linking agent concentration in chitosan is a crucial factor influencing its PFOS absorption potential. Our results feature cross-linked chitosan as an effective economic and ecologic alternative for PFOS adsorption in aqueous solutions. KW - Combustion Ion Chromatography KW - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Remediation PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-618406 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311145 VL - 14 IS - 23 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-61840 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Vogel, Christian T1 - Detection, quantification, and treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater (DFEAT-PFAS) N2 - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of chemicals used in the formulations of thousands of consumer goods. Because of the recent regulations and restrictions on the use of long chain (≥C8) PFAS a significant shift in the industry towards short (C4-C7) and ultrashort (C1-C3) chain alternatives has been recognized the last years. Due to the high polarity and water solubility of ultrashort PFAS, the potential for bioaccumulation is low. However, the high persistence of ultrashort-chain PFAS will result in environmental accumulation, especially in aquatic environments, leading to potential risks for aquatic organisms and increased human external exposure through drinking water. Ultrashort PFAS like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) are low to moderately toxic to a range of organisms. In the project we are focusing on detecting and removing PFAS, especially ultrashort-chain PFAS from contaminated groundwater. Therefore, we suggest developing and optimizing short- and ultrashort-chain PFAS detection, quantification, and removal. We will design passive sampling devices, which can collect and monitor the temporal profile of PFAS species in groundwater. This will allow us to analyze PFAS contaminations in German and Israeli groundwater using state-of-the-art novel analytical techniques. In addition, contaminated groundwater will be treated via a two-stage process, designed to concentrate the relatively low PFAS concentrations by novel membrane processes including closed-circuit reverse osmosis (CCRO) and mixed matrix composite nanofiltration membranes (MMCM). Afterwards the rejected streams, containing higher concentrations of PFAS will be treated by coagulation and the remaining PFAS adsorbed onto carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs). T2 - SETAC Europe CY - Vienna, Austria DA - 11.05.2025 KW - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Groundwater KW - Remediation PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63095 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Vogel, Christian T1 - Current status of monitoring of PFAS release from industrial facilities N2 - Increasing studies report per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the ambient air and emissions from diverse industrial sources. Therefore, a comprehensive framework for characterizing PFAS emissions by identifying source-specific chemical fingerprints, evaluating emission pathways and assessing the impact of remediation technologies is needed. Depending on the type of PFAS, dedicated sampling and analytical procedures are required. Here, also the detection of possible PFAS transformation products, so-called products of incomplete combustion (PICs) are more mobile or toxic, is also of great interest to evaluate these technologies in terms of mineralisation potential and fluorine mass balance. T2 - Consortium for analysis and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (CAR-PFAS Japan) visit Uni Örebro CY - Online meeting DA - 09.10.2025 KW - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) KW - Incineration KW - Remediation PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64318 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -