Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID KY_2023_Messer

Implications of PFAS to Water Quality Improvement in Treatment Wetlands

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2023 Start Date: 2023-09-01 End Date: 2024-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $19,981 Total Non-Federal Funds: $20,172

Principal Investigators: Tiffany Messer

Project Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed new standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including PFOA (0.004 ppt) and PFOS (0.02 ppt). Recently we have observed PFAS concentrations in rivers to continually exceed the EPA advisory levels, particularly downstream of firefighting training facilities and wastewater treatment plants. While this water was not intended for human consumption, downstream locations utilize this surface water for drinking water treatment, presenting an urgent concern for treatment methodologies for removing PFAS from source water and the implications to downstream biogeochemical processes in best management practices. Therefore, the primary goal of the proposed research is to investigate the biogeochemical implications and potential treatment of PFAS entering two distinct treatment wetland designs (floating treatment wetlands and free surface constructed wetlands). The primary objectives of the proposed project are to: 1. Identify implications to biogeochemical processes in two distinct treatment wetland designs following PFAS exposure; 2. Investigate the fate of PFAS in two distinct treatment wetland designs; and 3. Train a graduate and an undergraduate student in sampling methodology for PFAS. Results will provide guidance to next steps for reducing these emerging contaminants through best management practices, wastewater treatment plant treatment strategies, and has the potential to lead to national research funding to assess PFAS biogeochemical implications and potential bioremediation treatment strategies for downstream ecosystems at the Southeastern and national scale.