Assessing the Relationships Between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Microbial Communities in PFAS-contaminated Arid Soils

MS Environmental and Green Chemistry Capstone

Spring 2023

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants of concern. Humans are exposed to PFAS though drinking water, food, air pollution, and other pathways.  One of the main uses of PFAS are aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs), which were developed to extinguish hydrocarbon fuel fires. PFAS are used in AFFF due to their surface tension lowering properties that causes more efficient spreading of the foam.  The majority of AFFF (~75%) used in the U.S. is at military bases. In this capstone research project, we assessed the relationship between PFAS and microbial communities in PFAS-contaminated arid soils in Cannon AFB. Geochemical parameters, PFAS concentrations, and microbial community data were used to investigate this relationship at three locations at Cannon AFB. The primary objective was to identify what changes in the microbial community could be due to the AFFF contamination and to evaluate if the microbial community could affect PFAS. The results of this project showed that there are microbial communities at Cannon AFB that have the potential to remediate PFAS contamination. This is an important first step in the process of finding novel ways to treat PFAS; if a microbial community can be found that removes PFAS effectively, it could be a breakthrough for the remediation of these compounds. The project also identified changes in soil microbiology that could affect ecosystem services and environmental health, as microbial communities play key roles in arid soil geochemical processes (such as carbon and nutrient cycling).

 

 

Project Partners:

USGS:  United States Geological Survey