Application of Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment for Destruction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Contaminated Groundwater and Soil.

Hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT) can effectively degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) present in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). However, information is lacking regarding the treatment of PFASs in actual groundwater and soil from AFFF-impacted sites, especially for complex soil matrices. Given the lack of studies on direct soil treatment for PFAS destruction, we herein applied HALT to two groundwater samples and three soil samples from AFFF-impacted sites and characterized the destruction of PFASs using high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Microbial degradation of steroidal estrogens.

Steroidal estrogens, widespread in the environment, are contaminants of potential concern because exposure to these compounds can cause adverse impacts on aquatic life. Intensive research efforts have been undertaken in order to better understand the environmental occurrence of these compounds. In addition to physical/chemical reactions, biological processes - microbial biodegradation of steroidal estrogens - play a vital role in determining the fate and transport of these compounds in built and natural environments.

Quantifying genes and transcripts to assess the in situ physiology of "Dehalococcoides" spp. in a trichloroethene-contaminated groundwater site.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was coupled with reverse transcription (RT) to analyze both gene copy numbers and transcripts of the 16S rRNA gene and three reductive dehalogenase (RDase) genes (tceA, vcrA, and bvcA) as biomarkers of "Dehalococcoides" spp. in the groundwater of a trichloroethene-dense nonaqueous-phase liquid site at Fort Lewis, WA, that was sequentially subjected to biostimulation and bioaugmentation. Dehalococcoides cells carrying the tceA, vcrA, and bvcA genes were indigenous to the site.

Formation of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) during chlorine disinfection of wastewater effluents prior to use in irrigation systems.

The probable human carcinogen nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is produced when wastewater effluent is disinfected with chlorine. In systems where wastewater effluent is used for landscape or crop irrigation, relatively high chlorine doses (i.e.

Sources and fate of nitrosodimethylamine and its precursors in municipal wastewater treatment plants.

To assess the occurrence and fate of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and its precursors in wastewater treatment plants, samples from wastewater treatment plants and industrial sources were analyzed for NDMA, total NDMA precursors, and dimethylamine (DMA). The median concentration of NDMA in untreated wastewater was approximately 80 ng/L, with maximum concentrations up to 790 ng/L presumably occuring because of sources unrelated to domestic wastewater. Concentrations of DMA in untreated wastewater ranged from approximately 50 to 120 microg/L and accounted for a majority of the NDMA precursors.

The occurrence of cyanide formation in six full-scale publicly owned treatment works.

This paper presents results from an intensive monitoring program implemented at six full-scale publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) to investigate the fate and formation of cyanide in wastewater treatment processes, with a focus on chlorination and dechlorination processes. A review of historical monitoring data for cyanide species in these POTWs was also conducted. This POTW monitoring program provided a database for the investigation of cyanide formation in wastewater secondary treatment.