Cecilia MacLeod
BA, MS, PhD, FRSC, CCHEM, CSCI
Anthera Remediation Technologies, Ltd. (Co-Founder)
Deal, England, UK
Presentation Topic: Sustainable In-situ PFAS Mass Removal From Soil, Bedrock and Aquifers via Surfactant Flushing Study
Presentation Date: November 6, 2025
Meet Your Speaker:
Dr. Cecilia MacLeod is an environmental geochemist with over 35 years’ experience in assessing and remediating sites affected by contamination. Her experience includes working on a variety of sites from petrochemical and manufacturing sites through to assessment of landfills and residential developments and small commercial sites. Dr Macleod has recently formed Anthera Remediation Technologies Ltd to commercialize a PFAS remedial technology that she has developed. Dr. MacLeod has been the co-author of several guidance documents for CIRIA. She currently chairs the CIRIA Steering Committee for RP3266 Good practice guide for managing climate change geo-related impacts and liabilities for land development.
Presentation Abstract:
Removal of PFAS from aquifers often depends on groundwater pump and treatment which can take decades as the efficacy of the process is very limited.
Surfactant enhanced extraction (SEE) of PFAS contaminants from source-zone areas has been demonstrated to be more cost-effective than P&T alone. Operational time frames have significant potential for reductions in PFAS source zones. This collaborative multi-year university column study work represents the first attempt to understand the potential of specialized surfactants to increase the mass removal rates of PFAS, at a scale using reagent concentrations that are environmentally applicable.
Large diameter column tests were designed to measure the effectiveness of a specialized surfactant formulation to increase the concentration of PFAS (C4 to C12) compounds in aqueous phase, in simulated enhanced recovery experiments.
Testing included mineral sands with 10% of activated carbon, showing effect of organics on PFAS sorption. The columns were saturated from the base, spiked with 250 mg PFOA and PFOS. Flush tests were undertaken with 4% surfactant formulation, drained and effluents tested.
These experiments represented a novel approach for in-situ PFAS mass removal. The effectiveness of SEE was reproducible, liberating PFAS (C4 to C12) mass by >200% to >600% compared to water flushing alone.
Learn about a new innovative PFAS remediation technology, which is the only technology globally capable of P{FAS mass removal from soil, bedrock and groundwater regimes, in a more sustainable and cost effective manner for PFAS from C4 to C12 and more…
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Most any individual, organization to corporation and municipality dealing with PFAS impacts to soil, bedrock, and aquifer systems seeking more sustainable and cost effective PFAS mass removal to lower the associated environmental and legal risks to achieve site closure.