Faculty Advisor: Kyle Doudrick, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences

Phytoremediation of Soil Contaminated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (Summer 2024)

This project focuses on phytoremediation of soil contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), followed by low-temperature incineration of the plant waste product. Wastes that are contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or PFASs) pose a challenge because they cannot be safely landfilled or incinerated. Incineration may not be completely destroy PFAS, producing undesirable byproducts. This issue is addressed by using unique analytical methods to track the fate of PFAS in thermal treatment systems and by using cost-effective catalysts to destroy PFAS at temperatures below 500 C.