Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID TX-Sun-FY26

Scalable Model for the Removal of Emerging Micropollutants - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) - from the Lubbock Reese Center groundwater Using Novel Macrocyclic Adsorbents in Fixed-Bed Column Systems

Institute: Texas
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $10,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,000

Principal Investigators: Yilang Sun

Project Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are human-made chemicals used in everyday products like non-stick cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foams. These chemicals are extremely persistent in the environment and have been detected in water sources, soil, and even fish. In Lubbock, PFAS contamination in the Reese Center has raised concerns about potential health risks. This study aims to develop a new method for removing PFAS from water using specially designed adsorbent materials. These materials will be modified to work efficiently in large-scale water treatment systems. The project will also create models to predict how well these adsorbents remove PFAS under real-world conditions. By testing this approach in laboratory and field settings, we hope to improve water treatment technologies and protect public health. The findings will help guide the development of safer, more effective solutions for removing harmful pollutants from drinking water sources.