Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2019ND206B

Enhanced removal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from water

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2019 Start Date: 2019-05-31 End Date: 2020-05-30
Total Federal Funds: $6,469 Total Non-Federal Funds: $12,938

Principal Investigators: Feng

Abstract: Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of organic contaminants that have been detected nationally in the aquatic environment. Two eight-carbon PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), have been observed in >95% of the blood samples collected during multiple U.S. national surveys at health-relevant concentrations. Contaminated drinking water is a major source exposure to PFAS for the general public. In a previous ND WRRI-supported project (to another graduate student), we have identified PFAS in the Red River that is the drinking-water source of the City of Grand Forks. The goal of this project is to develop an innovative treatment system that can effectively and practically remove PFAS from water. The results of this project have important implications for technological improvements in water purification. Water treatment plants, the water industry, water resources personnel, and the broader education and research communities who are concerned about PFAS contamination would benefit from the results of this proposal.