Research Article highlights:
- Significantly lower carbon footprint: The in situ CAC barrier emitted 98% fewer greenhouse gases over 15 years compared to the ex situ pump-and-treat system (56 vs. 3922 metric tons CO₂-eq).
- Reduced resource consumption and waste: CAC’s passive design led to a 95% reduction in raw material usage and waste, contributing to a higher sustainability score (84 vs. 43).
- Lower total cost of ownership: The CAC approach was approximately 60% more cost-effective, with a TCO of $1.6M vs. $4.1M for the pump-and-treat system.
- Improved sustainability profile: The in situ method supports long-term environmental and societal benefits by minimizing operational demands and ecological disruption.
This article from REMEDIATION Journal presents a life cycle assessment comparing a real-world in situ colloidal activated carbon (CAC) barrier with a potential alternative ex situ pump-and-treat (P&T) system for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated groundwater at a commercial airport site. The CAC barrier showed clear advantages, including 98% lower greenhouse gas emissions, 95% less waste and material use, a higher sustainability score, and 60% lower cost than the P&T system.
