How can sulfolane contaminants be removed from water?

Sulfolane is a water-miscible, bioavailable pollutant found worldwide, used in carbon capture and the treatment of sulphur-containing gases. It is heavier than water and, if leaked into low-salinity aquifers, will sink and exacerbate contamination. Known methods for removing sulfolane include biodegradation and non-biodegradation. Biodegradation refers to its aerobic biodegradation by bacteria. Abiotic degradation pathways include: (1) the reduction of sulfolane to sulfoxide via Fe²⁺ and arginine (ARG); (2) the interaction of sulfolane with the amphiphilic surfactant cocoyl amide propyl betaine (CAPB), which forms a stable floating foam in which the sulfolane concentration can be increased by more than 140%, allowing for subsequent treatment after concentration.

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