Project Description
Per- and polyfluoroalkyal substances (PFAS) are a class of emerging pollutants that are widely found in surface water, groundwater, and wastewater throughout the world. A recent survey reported the detection of PFAS in public water supplies in 33 states in the United States. PFAS are very persistent in the natural environment due to their unique chemical/physical properties such as high water solubility and the strong stability of C-F bond. US EPA and many state environmental agencies, including Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), are aggressively developing “comprehensive cross-agency plan to address an emerging chemical of concern ever undertaken by EPA” to “provide clean and safe drinking water and to address PFAS at the source”. The goal of this project is to investigate the interaction of PFAS with natural minerals in subsurface, which is a critical process that affects the fate and transport of PFAS in the environment. Research will be performed through a combination of literature survey and laboratory experiments. Results will provide insights into PFAS management and remediation activities.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The student will perform a literature review/survey to understand the interactions of PFAS with natural minerals in subsurface. The student will conduct experiments to determine PFAS adsorption onto natural minerals in the lab. The student will obtain skills for routine water quality analysis, such as pH measurement and quantification of common water constituents. The student will also be familiar with advanced analytical techniques that include high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These tasks will help the student develop abilities to identify, formulate and solve real-world problems. Results will be presented by the student in the annual symposium to improve oral communication skills. The student will also write progress reports on a monthly basis to improve scientific writing skills.