The Council was an early contributor to Phase 1 of the National Collaborative PFAS Project, which created a national network of land application plots where soil PFAS concentrations are now known. Phase 1 of this research evaluated incidence and mobility of biosolids-derived PFAS. The research team, led by Dr. Ian Pepper of the University of Arizona, also analyzed soils for total organic carbon (TOC), allowing the researchers the ability to calculate sorption coefficients (Kd) for all soil samples.
One of the researchers, Dr. Mark Brusseau, calculated air-water interfacial adsorption coefficients (Kaw) for multiple PFAS analytes. Utilizing these two coefficients, Kd and Kaw, the researchers can calculate soil screening levels (SSLs) for multiple PFAS analytes in the research plots. A comparison of SSLs to measured soil PFAS concentrations allows the researchers the ability to determine the potential for groundwater contamination. Working with Virginia Tech’s AREC facility in Warsaw, VBC established a plot that was used in Phase 1, and will be used in Phase 2 of this massive and important research project.
Recently, the VBC voted unanimously to contribute funds for Phase 2 – which aims to evaluate crop uptake at research plots across the United States. Crop uptake of PFAS by multiple crops will be evaluated. The researchers currently have more than 50 plots from 18 sites in 14 states available for Phase 2 of this research. Crops being evaluated include corn, oats, peas, soybeans, rye, wheat, barley, and grasses.
The anticipated final report for Phase 2 will be completed in fall 2026, while the initial results of Phase 1 are currently being drafted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.