Sorption Competition Impacting Per- & Polyfluoroalkyl Contaminants in Soils

Principal Investigator: Kenneth Carroll, Plant and Environmental Sciences

Student: Rachael Apodaca

Project Summary:
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) are the most critical emerging contaminant in water and food systems. The presence of chromate significantly increases the migration potential of PFOS in soil and groundwater by reducing sorption as it competes for sorption sites on water-solid surfaces. This project will evaluate if other aqueous ions (e.g., bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, arsenate, and selenite) compete with PFAS for sorption sites. This project will advance our understanding and ability to quantify PFAS sorption and solute transport in soils and groundwater, and enable characterization of exposure pathways, which allows further exposure to be minimized/mitigated within NM and worldwide.

kccarr@nmsu.edu