Removal of perfluoroalkyl substances from drinking water with anion exchange resins and a divinylbenzene sorbent in column experiments

Abstract

The occurrences of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water may pose health risks to exposed consumers. PFAS removal with two anion exchange resins and a divinylbenzene sorbent in column experiments operated in parallel was investigated over a period of 520 days. For all adsorbents, removals of short-chain (C3 to C6 perfluorinated carbon atoms) PFAS were significantly lower than those of long-chain (C7 to C10 perfluorinated carbon atoms) PFAS. The strong base resin removed the short-chain PFAS slightly better than the weak base resin. Sulfonates were removed better than carboxylates with the same number of fluorinated carbon atoms. Anion exchange resins exhibited a greater affinity for the aromatic fraction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), resulting in a higher removal of UV-absorbing components than total DOC. The strong base resin outperformed the weak base resin and the divinylbenzene sorbent in terms of removing DOC concentrations and reducing UV254 absorbance. The reductions in UV254 and the elimination of short-chain PFAS exhibited correlations (Pearson's r > 0.60), indicating that UV254 abatement may be a possible surrogate parameter for short-chain PFAS elimination. Correlations (Pearson's r > −0.60) between the removals of nitrate and PFAS were observed. © 2026 The Authors