Grantee Research Project Results

2020 Progress Report: A systems-based approach to understand the role of waste type, management strategies and treatment methods on the occurrence, source, and fate of PFAS in landfills

EPA Grant Number: R839620
Title: A systems-based approach to understand the role of waste type, management strategies and treatment methods on the occurrence, source, and fate of PFAS in landfills
Investigators: Townsend, Timothy , Solo-Gabriele, Helena , Bowden, John , Deliz-Quiñones, Katherine
Institution: University of Florida
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2022 (Extended to July 31, 2023)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2019 through July 31,2020
Project Amount: $898,758
RFA: Practical Methods to Analyze and Treat Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) in Solid Waste, Landfills, Wastewater/Leachates, Soils, and Groundwater to Protect Human Health and the Environment (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water Quality , Human Health , Water , PFAS Treatment

Objective:

This project consists of four objectives, which will be accomplished following a two-track approach.

Track 1: PFAS characterization in samples from full-scale landfills and leachate treatment systems
Objective 1 – baseline characterization of PFAS occurrence and concentration in landfill samples
Objective 2 – detailed assessment of selected landfill sites and experimentation with leachate treatment

Track 2: Determine the sources of PFAS compounds in US domestic waste streams and landfill simulations
Objective 3 – measurement of leachable PFAS in waste streams with batch leaching tests
Objective 4 – measurement of PFAS through lysimeter studies using simulated waste streams.

Progress Summary:

During the first year of this project, we have completed tasks associated with Objectives 1 and 2 of the proposed research. We have collected leachate and environmental water samples (groundwater and storm water) from 37 landfill sites in Florida, as well as 1 site outside of Florida (Pennsylvania). We collected PFAS and physical-chemical parameter data for these samples. The detailed landfill leachate site assessment described in Objective 2 of the proposed work is currently underway, and we have collected repeat leachate samples from five Florida landfills. Due to Covid-19 impacts, waste composition studies have been postponed and tasks associated with Objectives 3 and 4 will be rescheduled for the end of the 2020 calendar year. Objectives 1 and 2 have been accelerated and will be completed earlier than expected.

Future Activities:

In Year 2 of this project, investigators will continue leachate treatment studies associated with Objective 2, and Objectives 3 and 4, beginning with waste composition studies proposed for the end of calendar year 2020 followed by the lysimeter construction in the fourth quarter.

Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views:	All 21 publications	19 publications in selected types	All 19 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Koelmel JP, Paige MK, Aristizabal-Henao JJ, Robey NM, Nason SL, Stelben PJ, Li Y, Kroeger NM, Napolitano MP, Savvaides T, Vasiliou V. Toward comprehensive per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances annotation using FluoroMatch software and intelligent high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry acquisition. Analytical Chemistry 2020;92(16):11186-11894.	R839620 (2020)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: ACS - Full Text HTML Exit Abstract: ACS - Abstract HTML Exit Other: ACS - Full Text HTML Exit
Journal Article	Robey NM, da Silva BF, Annable MD, Townsend TG, Bowden JA. Concentrating per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in municipal solid waste landfill leachate using foam separation. Environmental Science & Technology 2020;54(19):12550-12559.	R839620 (2020)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: ACS - Full Text HTML Exit Abstract: ACS - Abstract HTML Exit Other: ACS - Full Text PDF Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), fate and transport, non-targeted screening (NTS), environmental engineering, solid waste, landfill gas, mass spectrometry, emerging contaminant of concern, Florida, FL

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.