PFAS Remediation at Fairbanks International Airport: Fate and Transport of PFAS and the Use of Colloidal Activated Carbon

In this webinar we were pleased to have as a special guest speaker Kristen Freiburger, Associate at Shannon & Wilson. Her presentation discussed PFAS remediation at Fairbanks International Airport, including a discussion of fate and transport of PFAS and the use of PlumeStop colloidal activated carbon.

Highlights of this free webinar:

• • The presumed source of PFAS in groundwater in many Alaskan communities is the use of AFFF by airport rescue and firefighting at Part 139 Airports operated by Alaska DOT&PF
  • Fate and transport of PFAS as it relates to projects at Gustavus and Fairbanks Airports
  • Use of PlumeStop to address PFAS contamination at the Fairbanks International Airport

PFAS are highly soluble in water and have a very strong carbon-fluorine backbone making them resistant to traditional remediation technologies and natural attenuation. PFAS that enter groundwater are known to be persistent and travel long distances. Fate and transport of PFAS in groundwater depends on the environment which they were released and the physical properties of the PFAS being examined (e.g., carbon chain lengths, linear/branched isomers, functional groups, and degree of fluorination). The presumed source of PFAS in groundwater in many Alaskan communities is the use of AFFF by airport rescue and firefighting at Part 139 Airports operated by Alaska DOT&PF. When AFFF releases occur in areas served by private or public drinking water wells, the well water is susceptible to contamination. Kristen Freiburger will discuss the fate and transport of PFAS as it relates to her PFAS work of the Gustavus and Fairbanks Airports including the use of PlumeStop at the Fairbanks International Airport. This discussion will focus on the challenges of understanding fate and transport of PFAS.