Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 26A00354

Linking Molecular Mechanisms to Ecosystem Dynamics: PFAS Sorption and Transformation Across the River-Coastal Wetland Continuum

Institute: Delaware
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-08-01 End Date: 2029-07-31
Total Federal Funds: $308,975 Total Non-Federal Funds: $308,975

Principal Investigators: Mi-Ling Li

Project Summary: PFAS are persistent human-made chemicals and are now found in many waterways. Wetlands in coastal areas often trap pollution moving from land to sea, but it is unknown if they play the same role for PFAS or how this might happen. This project is among the first systematic efforts to answer that question. We will study wetlands in Delaware through both field sampling and laboratory experiments to see how water chemistry, organic matter, minerals, and microbes affect PFAS movement and breakdown. We will also examine how human water management, such as flooding or draining impoundments, influences PFAS behavior. The project will provide science-based guidance for protecting wetlands and nearby communities and we will share findings broadly with decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public.