Airport—Midwest (BAM Injection)

A comprehensive 26-week study at a Midwest airport has demonstrated exceptional success in treating highly concentrated PFAS contamination through an innovative combination of technologies.

The Challenge

The site presented extreme contamination levels:

• Total PFAS: 33,142,900 ng/L
• Source: Fire truck rinse water containing firefighting foam
• Multiple PFAS chain lengths present
• Need for complete degradation

The Solution: Comparative Treatment Study

The team implemented two treatment strategies across four totes:

1. Combined Treatment (Totes 1, 3, and 4):

• BAM Ultra technology
• PFAS-degrading bacteria
• Aerobic conditions

1. Bacteria Only (Tote 2):

• PFAS-degrading bacteria
• No BAM addition
• Control comparison

Timeline of Results

The study revealed distinct treatment patterns:

Week 1:

• Sharp decrease in large-chain PFAS
• Immediate treatment response

Week 9:

• Temporary PFAS increase in bacteria-only tote
• Demonstrated breakdown of long-chain to short-chain PFAS

Week 15:

• Large-chain PFAS: non-detectable
• Short-chain PFAS: beginning significant reduction
• Combined treatment showing superior results

Week 26:

• Near non-detectable levels for all PFAS
• Complete treatment success
• Validated long-term effectiveness

Key Scientific Findings

The study revealed several crucial insights:

1. Treatment Mechanisms:

• BAM absorbs PFAS compounds
• Bacteria break down long chains to short chains
• Combined approach prevents concentration spikes

1. Synergistic Effects:

• BAM promotes bacterial growth
• Enhanced degradation rates
• More stable treatment process

Innovation Highlights

The project demonstrated several breakthrough concepts:

• Successful treatment of extremely high PFAS concentrations
• Documented PFAS degradation pathway
• Proven benefits of combined treatment approach
• Long-term effectiveness validation

Practical Applications

This study provides valuable insights for:

• Airport PFAS treatment programs
• Firefighting waste management
• High-concentration PFAS remediation
• Treatment technology selection

Future Implications

The success of this study offers:

• Validated treatment methodology
• Understanding of degradation processes
• Optimization strategies for PFAS treatment
• Framework for similar applications

This groundbreaking research provides a clear roadmap for treating high-concentration PFAS contamination, particularly from firefighting activities.