FY 2023 STATEMENT OF NEED 

Environmental Restoration (ER) Program Area

The objective of this Statement on Need (SON) was to improve the understanding and management of concrete and asphalt construction materials impacted by historical releases of AFFF containing PFAS. Specifically, the goal was to address the following research needs:

• Assess the leaching potential of PFAS from historically impacted concrete or asphalt either through surface run-off or leaching through impacted materials to soils and groundwater.
• Determine the magnitude of PFAS loading to the environment from impacted concrete and asphalt.
• Develop methodologies or technologies for in-place management of impacted concrete asphalt.
• Assess the potential for beneficial re-use of impacted materials.

The projects listed below were selected to address the objectives of this SON. Additional information on individual projects can be found by clicking the project title.

• Development and Validation of Sealants to Mitigate Leaching and Mobility of PFAS in Concrete
  • Lead Investigator: Divina Navarro, CSIRO
• PFAS Transport and Interaction with Portland Cement and Asphalt Concrete: A Field and Laboratory Study
  • Lead Investigator: Mohammad (Moe) Pour-Ghaz, North Carolina State University    
• A Complete Strategy for Pavements Impacted by PFAS: Rapid Quantification, Leaching Kinetics, In-situ Stabilization, Thermal Treatment, and Reusability
  • Lead Investigator: Kyle Doudrick, University of Notre Dame
• Determining PFAS Transport Mechanisms Within AFFF-Impacted Construction Materials to Develop Better In-Place and Re-Use Management Solutions for the DoD
  • Lead Investigator: Charles Newell, GSI Environmental, Inc.
• Leaching of PFAS from AFFF-Impacted Construction Materials
  • Lead Investigator: Christopher Higgins, Colorado School of Mines 
• Leaching and Mobility of PFAS from Concrete and Asphalt
  • Lead Investigator: Jennifer Guelfo, Texas Tech University
• Assessment for Leachability of PFAS from Concrete/Asphalt Paved Surfaces, Stockpiles, and Beneficial Reuse Scenarios: Laboratory and Bench Studies
  • Lead Investigator: Timothy Townsend, University of Florida
• Sustainable Treatment Approaches for Renewing PFAS-impacted Construction Materials (STAR-PCM)
  • Lead Investigator: Carla Baumel, University of Pittsburgh

Research should lead to improved management of concrete and asphalt that have been impacted by historic use of AFFF. The resulting tools and understanding should improve the ability to implement effective management strategies at DoD sites and mitigate environmental impact.