Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID NJ_2024_ZHANG-JAHAN

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bioswale Retrofitting in Mitigating PFAS Inputs into Freshwater Systems

Institute: New Jersey
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $24,954 Total Non-Federal Funds: $29,762

Principal Investigators: Zhiming Zhang, Kauser Jahan

Project Summary: Freshwater systems, like rivers and lakes, are super important for keeping our environment healthy, supporting ecosystems, and helping people. But lately, scientists have found PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, in lots of these water systems. PFAS comes from things like polluted rainwater that flows off roads and buildings into rivers and lakes. Even though some methods like green infrastructure can help to some extent, they are not doing enough to stop PFAS from getting into freshwater systems. This study works on bioswale retrofitting, where biochar is supplemented to clean up the water. Two different ways of using biochar are proposed: mixing it into the soil and coating it on the surface of the mulch. Both can assist to remove the PFAS chemicals in the stormwater when it flows through. Three types of biochar made from pine wood, sludge, and manure, will be tested in this study. Results will indicate how well the PFAS can be adsorbed to the soil and the mulch with the help of biochar, and if it can be easily removed. This study will give us a better idea of which type of biochar works best and how to use it to clean up polluted water. This will help figure out how to make our water cleaner, especially in places like Clementon, New Jersey, one of the Historically Disadvantaged Communities.