Understanding Fate and Transport of Microplastics Impacted with PFAS in the Environment

Objective

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MP) are both complex mixtures of emerging chemicals of concern in the environment. Stormwater and wastewater are both major pathways of entry for MP into surface waters and these pathways have also been documented as sources of PFAS. This project will provide insight into the concentrations of PFAS sorbed to MP in the environment, the extent to which MP are contributing to PFAS flux, and potential impacts of sorbed PFAS on fundamental processes controlling MP fate in aquatic environments.

Technical Approach

A series of studies ranging from bench to field scale will be used to improve the understanding of the sorption of chemicals to MP, the proportion of PFAS flux driven by MP sorption, and the impact of sorbed chemicals on MP fate. The project will be structured in the following tasks:

Generatation and characterization of laboratory-weathered microplastics
Development of extraction methods for PFAS bound to microplastics
Evaluation of PFAS sorption in the presence of natural organic matter and biofilms
Assessment of effects of sorbed PFAS on microplastic weathering
Application of extraction methods to environmental samples
Estimation of PFAS flux and mass flow

Benefits

This project will create methods to detect and quantify PFAS sorbed to MP, build a mechanistic understanding of PFAS sorption to MP and how sorption can impact PFAS fate and transport, improve fundamental MP degradation under a range of environmental conditions including how sorption of PFAS can impact MP fate, and estimate the role of PFAS sorption to MP via mass flow calculations from stormwater and wastewater discharge. By applying these methods to environmental samples, this project will clarify the role of microplastics in PFAS transport and exposure pathways at impacted sites. The resulting tools and data will support the development of more targeted, cost-effective monitoring and remediation strategies to reduce PFAS migration and protect mission-critical water resources. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2029)