What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

In collaboration with researchers at Ohio State University and the Swedish construction company NCC, researchers in Urban Water Engineering at Luleå University of Technology have conducted a comprehensive study on the occurrence, concentration and distribution of PFAS in urban biofilter facilities treating stormwater.

This type of treatment facility is increasingly implemented worldwide when new industrial and residential urban areas are planned. Consequently, the maintenance issue has become more and more important.

"We have found considerable quantities of PFAS in most of the biofilter facilities we have studied. In contrast to, for instance, metals captured high up in the biofilter facilities, PFAS were unevenly distributed in all filter layers, even at the very bottom of the filter materials, which are rarely replaced.

"These results may have a great impact on the understanding of treatment processes and future operation and maintenance of biofilter facilities," says Ali Beryani, doctoral student in Urban Water Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.

The study is published in Environmental Science & Technology.

• Read More