Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID MO_2025_Xiao

Aging of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Sediments and Impacts on Their Bioavailability, Biotransformation, and Bioaccumulation in Benthic Organisms

Institute: Missouri
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-08-01 End Date: 2029-07-31
Total Federal Funds: $303,513 Total Non-Federal Funds: $303,547

Principal Investigators: Feng Xiao

Project Summary: This project will investigate the role of environmental aging in controlling the behavior, bioavailability, and ecological impact of PFAS in sediments. Combining laboratory and field studies, we will determine PFAS aging mechanisms and influence of sediment organic matter, soil properties, and sediment conditions. We will further quantify the bioavailability, uptake, and elimination of aged PFAS in benthic organisms and evaluate the impact of long-term contamination on sediment microbial community composition and enzymatic functions essential for nutrient cycling. The results will advance understanding of PFAS natural attenuation, support accurate ecological risk assessments, and inform management strategies for PFAS-contaminated aquatic sediments.