Background
At an iron ore mine in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, PFAS contamination was discovered near a former truck wash bay during a facility upgrade. The soil leachate contained PFAS levels of 1,350 ng/L, including PFOS, PFOA, and other related compounds. Due to the site’s remote location, options such as landfill disposal or thermal destruction were not viable. Instead, RemBind® as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for immobilising the PFAS and enabling on-site reuse of the treated soil.
Methodology
Soil samples were collected and subjected to treatability testing using RemBind® at varying dosage rates (1 – 5%). Following the treatment process, leachability tests were conducted to measure the reduction of PFAS in the soil. Full-scale treatment was performed with an excavator for soil mixing and a water truck for dust suppression.
Results and Discussion
The treatability trial demonstrated that a 1% addition of RemBind® was sufficient to reduce PFAS leachability to below detectable levels. Full-scale treatment confirmed these results, achieving significant reductions in PFAS levels in the treated soil.
Conclusion
This project highlights the effectiveness of using RemBind® for immobilising PFAS in soil, particularly at remote sites. The ability to reuse treated soil onsite aligns with sustainable practices and circular economy principles, while minimising the environmental impact compared to other treatment methods.
