Grantee Research Project Results
Enhancing the anion-exchange capacity of biochar for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) stabilization in contaminated soils
EPA Grant Number: SU840411Title: Enhancing the anion-exchange capacity of biochar for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) stabilization in contaminated soils
Investigators: Xu, Wenqing
Current Investigators: Xu, Wenqing , Samonte, Pam Rose , Magee, James , Fitzpatrick, Megan , Neumann, Bridget , Giovanniello, Connor , Irizzary, Joseph
Institution: Villanova University
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Phase: I
Project Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Extended to August 31, 2023)
Project Amount: $25,000
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Description:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a suite of ionizable synthetic organofluorine chemicals that have been frequently detected in various environmental compartments, posing global threats to public health. One underexplored source of PFAS in the environment stems from the land-application of biosolids generated at municipal wastewater treatment plants. No suitable remedial technology is currently in place due to the pervasiveness nature of this issue.
Objective:
In this project, we propose to tailor biochar from two waste sources to promote their anion-exchange capacities (AEC) for PFAS sequestration during the land application of biosolids: (i) coagulant-rich water treatment residuals and (ii) agriculture waste. Subsequently, these biochar materials will be incorporated into municipal biosolids to understand their efficacy in sequestering PFAS in agricultural soils. This project aims to create an educational ecosystem, where students will work collaboratively across disciplines (engineering, science, and business) and interact with advisory committee members from the academic, government, industry, and agricultural sectors to design a strategy that is economical, scalable, and feasible for PFAS remediation and ultimately protect public health.
Approach:
Two waste sources will be evaluated for the development of AEC-enhanced biochar for PFAS stabilization during the land-application of biosolids: (i) coagulant-rich water treatment residuals and (ii) agriculture waste pre-treated with metal salts. We hypothesize that the produced biochar will be rich in metal oxyhydroxide particles that are positively charged, enabling electrostatic interactions with PFAS (most are negatively charged) and further preventing PFAS leaching from biosolids-amended soil. The student team will carry out three research tasks. In Task 1, we will produce AEC-enhanced biochar from waste materials using easily scalable methods. In Task 2, we will evaluate the produced biochar performance by determining their adsorption kinetics and capacities for PFAS, encompassing PFAS compounds from short-chain to long-chain. In Task 3, we will demonstrate the efficacy of the AEC-enhanced biochar materials in immobilizing PFAS transport in soils amended with biosolids by running soil column tests. Students will meet with the advisory committee consisting of experts from the academic, government, industry, and agricultural sectors quarterly to discuss project findings, evaluate the enviro-economic feasibilities, identify barriers to implementation, and ultimately ensure that the proposed strategy will meet the end-user's needs down the line.
Expected Results:
Phase I efforts will focus on enhancing the AEC of biochar materials through source material selection and one-pot synthesis methods that can be easily scaled up. The efficacy of the produced AEC-enhanced biochar in stabilizing PFAS in soils will be evaluated and an optimized biochar will be selected. Written outputs will include the Phase I report to EPA, Phase II proposal, and journal publications. In addition, students will attend town hall meetings in PA neighborhoods with PFAS issues to disseminate the project findings and promote public awareness of PFAS contamination. Results from this project will also be incorporated into existing Villanova curricula and outreach programs, impacting 300-500 students per year.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Biochar, PFAS, adsorption, anionic exchange capacity, soil remediation, biosolidsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.