Center for PFAS Research

• Influence of Soil Minerals on the Adsorption, Structure, and Dynamics of GenX

  Published on July 26, 2023
  This study provides molecular-level insights into the impact of three different common soil constituents that vary in mineralogical composition and surface charge distribution in dictating the adsorption and transport characteristics of GenX.

• Thermochemistry of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

  Published on November 5, 2022
  Gas phase thermochemical properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been determined in this work, which will aid in the understanding of the long-range transport behavior of PFAS in the atmosphere.

• Molecular Screening and Toxicity Estimation of 260,000 Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) through Machine Learning

  Published on September 26, 2022
  To find alternatives for the most commonly used PFAS molecules that maintain their desirable chemical properties but are not adverse to biological lifeforms, a novel approach based upon machine learning was utilized.

• Adsorption, Structure, and Dynamics of Short- and Long-Chain PFAS Molecules in Kaolinite: Molecular-Level Insights

  Published on May 11, 2022
  This study reports for the first time the fundamental molecular-level insights into the adsorption, interfacial structure, and dynamics of short- and long-chain PFAS molecules at the water-saturated mesopores of kaolinite clay.

• Implication of cation-bridging interaction contribution to sorption of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids by soils

  Published on February 28, 2022
  Partitioning in soil organic matter (SOM) is an important contribution to PFCA sorption by soils.

• A flow-through cell for the electrochemical oxidation of perfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachates

  Published on October 1, 2021
  The results of this study show the potential of electrochemical oxidation to oxidize PFAAs present in high strength water such as landfill leachates.

• Binding of Per- and Polyfluoro-alkyl Substances (PFASs) to Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma (PPARg)

  Published on June 4, 2021
  A nuclear receptor, fundamental in the regulation of genes, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitization has been shown to be impacted by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

• Distribution, behaviour, bioavailability and remediation of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in solid biowastes and biowaste-treated soil

  Published on May 5, 2021
  In this review, the distribution, bioavailability, and remediation of PFAS in soil receiving solid biowastes, which include biosolids, composts, and manure, are presented.

• Electrochemical oxidation of PFAS: Unique challenges in landfill leachates

  Published on April 28, 2021
  In this video, Dr. Suzanne Witt describes how electrochemical oxidation is a promising strategy for destroying PFAS.

• Uptake and accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plants

  Published on December 1, 2020
  This article reviews up-to-date knowledge on plant uptake and accumulation of PFASs.