Grantee Research Project Results
PFAS-MAPS: PFAS Mitigation and Monitoring in Amended Plant Systems
EPA Grant Number: R840957Alternative EPA Grant Number: 840957
Title: PFAS-MAPS: PFAS Mitigation and Monitoring in Amended Plant Systems
Investigators: Chu, Kung-Hui , Shan, Libo
Institution: Texas Engineering Experiment Station , University of Michigan , Texas A & M University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2028
Project Amount: $1,600,000
RFA: Research for Understanding PFAS Uptake and Bioaccumulation in Plant and Animals in Agricultural, Rural, and Tribal Communities Request for Applications (RFA) (2024) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: PFAS Detection , Urban Air Toxics , Watersheds , Endocrine Disruptors , Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil/Water , Environmental Justice , PFAS Treatment
Objective:
The contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plants via the bioaccumulation of PFAS from the biosolid-amended farm soils and treated wastewater presents a pressing public health concern. The pervasive presence of PFAS poses a significant hurdle and challenge in utilizing biosolid and treated wastewater. Our long-term goal is to comprehensively understand PFAS uptake and bioaccumulation in plants across various nutrient conditions, to advance strategies for PFAS remediation in biosolid/soil, minimize PFAS uptake by plants, and develop real-time monitoring tools for PFAS in biosolids, biosolid-amended soils, and irrigation water.
Approach:
Four tasks are designed to (1) Develop and assess integrated PFAS remediation methods to prepare biosolids for land application; (2) Develop and assess technologies to prevent PFAS uptake by plant in biosolid-amended soils; (3) Screen, design, and develop plant-based biosensors for PFAS detection in biosolids, soils, and water; and (4) Demonstrate the effectiveness of technologies in remediating PFAS in biosolids, reducing PFAS bioavailability to plants in biosolid-amended soils, and evaluating the sensitivity of developed biosensors in monitoring PFAS contamination.
Expected Results:
The main outputs of this project will detail the uptake PFAS mechanisms by plants through biosolids/biosolid-amended soils/reclaimed water, novel and promising strategies to remediate PFAS, reduce PFAS bioavailability, and scalable biosensors to monitor PFAS bioaccumulation in plants on site. The main outcome of this project will be to empower the agricultural communities, wastewater professionals, and state and federal regulatory agencies to increase their ability to manage PFAS risk associated with the beneficial uses of biosolids and reclaimed water.
Supplemental Keywords:
Environmental engineering, Biology, EPA Region 5, EPA Region 6, AgricultureProgress 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.