AI Article Synopsis
- PFAS are highly toxic substances with limited ways to clean them up, prompting interest in phytoremediation, which uses plants to remove contaminants.
- A project involving the Mi'kmaq Nation and various researchers tested hemp's ability to absorb and remove PFAS from soil at the former Loring Air Force base, achieving some success in reducing PFAS levels.
- While hemp showed potential by taking up certain types of PFAS, it alone isn't a complete solution, but the project highlights the value of community involvement in land remediation efforts.
Article Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of recalcitrant, highly toxic contaminants, with limited remediation options. Phytoremediation - removal of contaminants using plants - is an inexpensive, community-friendly strategy for reducing PFAS concentrations and exposures. This project is a collaboration between the Mi'kmaq Nation, Upland Grassroots, and researchers at several institutions who conducted phytoremediation field trials using hemp to remove PFAS from soil at the former Loring Air Force base, which has now been returned to the Mi'kmaq Nation. PFAS were analyzed in paired hemp and soil samples using targeted and non-targeted analytical approaches. Additionally, we used hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to degrade PFAS in the harvested hemp tissue. We identified 28 PFAS in soil and found hemp uptake of 10 of these PFAS. Consistent with previous studies, hemp exhibited greater bioconcentration for carboxylic acids compared to sulfonic acids, and for shorter-chain compounds compared to longer-chain. In total, approximately 1.4 mg of PFAS was removed from the soil uptake into hemp stems and leaves, with an approximate maximum of 2% PFAS removed from soil in the most successful area. Degradation of PFAS by HTL was nearly 100% for carboxylic acids, but a portion of sulfonic acids remained. HTL also decreased precursor PFAS and extractable organic fluorine. In conclusion, while hemp phytoremediation does not currently offer a comprehensive solution for PFAS-contaminated soil, this project has effectively reduced PFAS levels at the Loring site and underscores the importance of involving community members in research aimed at remediating their lands.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10841816 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d3va00340j | DOI Listing |
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