Assessing the impact of immobilisation on the bioavailability of PFAS to plants in contaminated Australian soils.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a key concern to both environmental and human health due to their extreme persistence in the environment and their ability to bioaccumulate in plants, animals, and humans. In this mesocosm study, Australian PFAS-contaminated soil with a mean total concentration of 8.05 mg/kg and a mean combined PFHxS + PFOS concentration of 7.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in little penguins and associations with urbanisation and health parameters.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly detected in wildlife and present concerning and unknown health risks. While there is a growing body of literature describing PFAS in seabird species, knowledge from temperate Southern Hemisphere regions is lacking. Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) can nest and forage within heavily urbanised coastal environments and hence may be at risk of exposure to pollutants.

A serial PFASs sorption technique coupled with adapted high volume direct aqueous injection LCMS method.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous global environmental contaminants, environmentally persistent, mobile, can bioaccumulate and are toxic. Increasing emphasis is placed on the immobilisation and removal of PFAS from contaminated environmental matrices such as: potable water, surface water, groundwater, wastewater, sediments and soils (Dauchy et al., 2017; Cao et al.

Biochar sorption of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHxA in two soils with contrasting texture.

The ability to immobilise PFAS in soil may be an essential interim tool while technologies are developed for effective long-term treatment of PFAS contaminated soils. Serial sorption experiments were undertaken using a pine derived biochar produced at 750 °C (P750). All experiments were carried out either in individual mode (solution with one PFAS at 5 μg/L) or mix mode (solution with 5 μg/L of each: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHxA), and carried out in 2:1 water to soil solutions.

Comparative characterization of biochars produced at three selected pyrolysis temperatures from common woody and herbaceous waste streams.

Biochar, the product of biomass pyrolysis, has been explored as a soil amendment and carbon capture vessel. Recent literature has aligned biochar as a novel sorbent for a host of environmental contaminants. Through the variation of pyrolysis conditions, biochars can be engineered to have qualities desirable in sorbents whilst maintaining their agronomic benefits.

Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review.

Ever increasing volumes of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) are being produced by municipal wastewater facilities. This is a consequence of the continued expansion of urban areas, which in turn require the commissioning of new treatment plants or upgrades to existing facilities. Biosolids contain nutrients and energy which can be used in agriculture or waste-to-energy processes.