Polyacrylamide degradation and its implications in environmental systems

Abstract

High molecular weight (10 6-3 × 10 7 Da) polyacrylamide (PAM) is commonly used as a flocculant in water and wastewater treatment, as a soil conditioner, and as a viscosity modifier and friction reducer in both enhanced oil recovery and high volume hydraulic fracturing. These applications of PAM can result in significant environmental challenges, both in water management and in contamination of local water supplies after accidental spills. This paper provides a short review of current applications of high molecular weight PAM, including the potential for PAM degradation by chemical, mechanical, thermal, photolytic, and biological processes. Methods for treating wastewater containing partially degraded PAM are then discussed along with issues related to the potential toxicity and mobility of PAM in the environment after disposal or accidental release.

A Review of the Application of Biopolymers on Geotechnical Engineering and the Strengthening Mechanisms between Typical Biopolymers and Soils

“…Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a watersoluble polymer, and Figure 5 shows the structure unit of PAM polymer. PAM is widely used for EOR, water treatment, and soil amendment effects because PAM is more effective and relatively inexpensive [36][37][38]. For EOR, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) solution with 0.5 wt.% NaOH showed a better sweep efficiency than polymer flood [37].…”

Modification of Polysulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes via Addition of Anionic Polyelectrolyte Based on Acrylamide and Sodium Acrylate to the Coagulation Bath to Improve Antifouling Performance in Water Treatment

“…It is worth mentioning that PASA is a widely used flocculant for water treatment, thus it is produced on a large scale and is not expensive. It is important from the point of view of availability and cost of membrane modification [ 80 , 81 , 82 ].…”

Recycling Treatment Plant Residuals: Concerns Beyond Pathogens

“…The USEPA has also set a non‐enforceable MCL goal of zero for acrylamide. Other examples of acrylamide regulation include the United Kingdom and the European Union, which established acrylamide limits of no more than 0.1 μg/L of residual acrylamide in drinking water (Xiong et al 2018).…”