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Abstracts

“Ion-Exchange Membranes as Passive Samplers for Diverse PFAS” by Dr. Lee Blaney (ER20-1073)

This presentation will showcase  a new approach to employ ion-exchange membranes as equilibrium passive samplers for diverse PFAS to inform time-averaged concentrations and lower the overall cost, effort, and burden of monitoring programs. The selectivity coefficients for more than 20 anionic PFAS were measured under variable water quality conditions. Using those data, corrections based on first principles were developed for pH, temperature, salt type and concentration, and dissolved organic matter thereby avoiding the need to create unique calibrations for each water source. This strategy was extended to select zwitterionic PFAS using both anion- and cation-exchange membranes, highlighting opportunities for passive sampling of precursors and other chemicals of concern. his presentation will describe results to date and the potential of applying ion-exchange materials as passive samplers for PFAS.

“Demonstration of a Commercially Available Peeper Passive Sampler for PFAS in Sediment” by Dr. Jason Conder (ER23-7741)

Aquatic sediment can represent a significant source of PFAS at DoW AFFF sites. Passive samplers are a powerful tool that can be used to improve site sediment and water investigations; however, there are few examples of applying commercially available passive samplers at PFAS sites. The overall objective of this project was to demonstrate and validate the use of passive samplers using a commercially available dialysis-based passive sampler (PFASsive™) for measuring PFAS in sediment and surface water. Two comprehensive field studies were conducted at 29 stations at two different DoW AFFF sites. This presentation discusses PFAS passive sampler results compared to results from traditional sampling approaches and measurements of PFAS bioavailability. The presentation also highlights an overview of the project’s PFAS passive sampling user’s guide that provides practical information and detailed cost analysis to aid end users involved in planning and conducting PFAS passive sampling investigations. 

Speaker Biographies

Dr. Lee Blaney is a Professor in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He has served as principal or co-principal investigator on projects related to (i) occurrence, fate, and transport of materials  of emerging concern, including PFAS, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, in natural systems and engineered processes, and (ii) water/wastewater treatment of inorganic contaminants, including arsenic, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Lee’s research has been funded by SERDP, NSF, USGS, USDA, EPA, and others. He is Chair Elect of the American Chemical Society Division of Environmental Chemistry, Executive Editor at the Journal Hazardous Materials, and a past President of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors. Lee received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental engineering from Lehigh University and a doctoral degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Jason Conder is a Senior Principal at Geosyntec Consultants in Costa Mesa, California, with over 20 years of experience. His research and consulting expertise is in environmental toxicology, risk assessment, contaminated sediment, and environmental chemistry. Jason is an internationally recognized expert on PFAS and has authored guidance on PFAS for several organizations, including a “how to” guidance for conducting ecological risk assessments at PFAS sites for the DoW. Jason is currently involved in several ongoing research projects to understand the fate, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and effects of PFAS. Jason is a certified environmental risk assessor with the International Board of Environmental Risk Assessors. He received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries ecology and a master’s degree in zoology from Oklahoma Sate University and a doctoral degree in environmental science from the University of North Texas.