Sorption of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in an Oligotrophic Aquifer

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dc.contributor.authorVaidya, Priyashi Prashanten
dc.contributor.committeechairWiddowson, Mark A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberBott, Charles B.en
dc.contributor.committeememberMendez, Eduardoen
dc.contributor.departmentEnvironmental Science and Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-03T08:00:10Z
dc.date.available2026-10-03T08:00:10Z
dc.date.issued2026-10-02
dc.description.abstractgeneralExcessive use of groundwater has caused a decline in groundwater levels in aquifers around the world. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) can help restore groundwater levels by adding highly treated water to an aquifer. However, recharge water may contain trace chemical compounds such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are not naturally present in aquifers. PFAS are a concern because they do not break down easily and may remain in groundwater for a long time. Some PFAS compounds have been linked to health problems. As a result, drinking water regulations have been established for certain PFAS compounds. This study examined how perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a type of PFAS, interacts with aquifer sediments to better understand its movement through the aquifer. PFOA can attach to sediment surfaces instead of continuing to move with groundwater. This process is called sorption, and it can slow PFOA movement through the aquifer. The study tested whether organic carbon and fine-grained material in the sediments contributed to PFOA sorption. The influence of these sediment properties was evaluated using batch sorption experiments with sediments from multiple depth intervals and a range of PFOA concentrations. For selected intervals, the experiments were repeated after removing the fine-grained fraction. PFOA sorption varied across depths. The results showed that organic carbon alone did not explain PFOA sorption in sediments containing low levels of organic carbon. Fine-grained material appeared to contribute to PFOA sorption along with other sediment properties. These findings help explain how PFOA may move through the aquifer and provide a better understanding for evaluating the long-term effects of MAR on groundwater quality.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:47660en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10919/143871
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectperfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)en
dc.subjectsorptionen
dc.subjectoligotrophic aquiferen
dc.subjectmanaged aquifer rechargeen
dc.subjectorganic carbonen
dc.subjectfine-grained materialen
dc.titleSorption of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in an Oligotrophic Aquiferen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineEnvironmental Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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