QAEHS researchers Dr Sarit Kaserzon and Professor Jochen Mueller have recently been awarded a US Department of Defence Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) grant. This grant is in collaboration with partner investigators Professor Chris Higgins (Colorado School of Mines), Emeritus Professor Draryl Hawker (Griffith University) and Dr Karl Bowles (RPS Australia).
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) aims to address widespread contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) due to the previous use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs). The goal of this project will be to develop and validate a robust, modular suite of quantitative passive sampling tools for a range of PFAS, including but not limited to, the 24 US Environmental Protection Agency analytes. Reliable, validated passive samplers and associated predictive uptake models for PFAS will:
- Provide a cost-effective quantitative technique that allows sensitive, time integrative monitoring of a wide range of PFAS, thereby facilitating study of their fate and transport, including transformation of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors in aqueous environments.
- Yield representative spatial and temporal contamination information enabling reliable prediction of plume movement and exposure risks for PFAS in dynamic systems and facilitating effective remediation and treatment.
Expected outcomes of this project include a suite of innovative, validated passive sampling technologies relevant to a wide range of chemicals and environments, together with best practice guidelines and interpretation tools for sampling of current and emerging PFAS of concern.
More details available on the US DoD SERDP web site.
