Paulina Alulema
University of Maine, MS Environmental Engineering
EREF Scholar 2024
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Release from Spent Granular Activated Carbons in Solid Waste Management Facilities
In the lifecycle of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), landfills serve as one of the final repositories, indefinitely storing residential, commercial, and industrial waste containing PFAS. One such waste is spent granular activated carbon (GAC), which is the cost and technology benchmark for PFAS removal from drinking water sources. Due to imminent PFAS regulations in drinking water, thousands of water treatment facilities are expected to install GAC filtration systems to comply. Consequently, an overwhelming surge in PFAS-laden GAC waste is anticipated in the next decade, necessitating careful management practices to prevent the reintroduction of PFAS into the environment. Understanding the release potential of PFAS from spent GAC under landfill-relevant conditions is therefore both timely and critical. This research will focus on gaining a fundamental understanding of PFAS release through a methodological evaluation of leaching as a function of the physical and chemical properties of GAC, specifically examining the release of two model PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) according to three standardized leaching protocols. The goal is to compare these methods in simulated environmental conditions relevant to landfill systems. Building on this foundational knowledge, the project will evaluate PFAS release under simulated typical landfill conditions over extended periods. Additionally, the results of this research will be used to analyze the environmental impacts and human health implications associated with the release of PFAS into the environment. In summary, this study aims to assist decision-makers in developing disposal guidelines for PFAS-laden GAC in municipal solid waste landfills to reduce the risks posed by PFAS to both the environment and human health.
Biography
Paulina Alulema received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the National Polytechnical School of Quito (EPN), Ecuador. Passionate about sustainability and conservation research since her undergraduate studies, she focused on developing sustainable processes to eliminate emerging contaminants in water. This early research experience motivated her to expand her scientific skills and deepen her knowledge of environmental impact. In 2023, she began a master’s program in Environmental Engineering at the University of Maine. Her research primarily focuses on understanding the fate and transport of persistent organic contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly the release of PFAS from spent carbon-based adsorbents used in water treatment processes. She aims to assess the associated risks to human health and the environment. Alongside her academic pursuits, she actively engages in community service and volunteer work. In 2021, she co-founded “AYRIWA,” a socio-environmental project supported by the World Wildlife Fund in Ecuador (WWF-Ecuador), which aims to empower women’s leadership in sustainability and urban gardening in small towns in Ecuador. In October 2023, she joined the Clean Water Science Network Program as a mentor, guiding Hispanic students aspiring to pursue graduate careers in STEM in the U.S.
