IN-SITU PHYTOREMEDIATION OF PFAS-CONTAMINATED SOILS TO RETURN FARMLAND TO USEFUL PRODUCTIVITY

The goal of this STTR Phase I project is to prove the feasibility of using biochar-enhancedphytoremediation to remove PFAS from contaminated farm soil and prove thermal methods for destroying the resulting biomass. To achieve this goal, we will focus on two specific objectives:Technical Objective 1: Establish whether PFAS uptake is significantly enhanced by biochar soil amendment. Questions to be answered:What amount of biochar amendment optimizes PFAS update?Which tested crop (hemp or a native grass species) is most effective in PFAS uptake?Is the PFAS concentrated in the roots or shoots and what specific PFAS compounds aremost readily removed from the soil?Technical Objective 2: Demonstrate and compare destruction of PFAS by HTL and gasification systems. Questions to be answered:What PFAS in the harvested plant biomass will be destroyed by HTL or gasification?If a reagent is needed for complete PFAS destruction, what is the optimal condition in terms of reagent concentration, solid content of the biomass slurry, HTL and gasification temperature and duration?What is the yield of biocrude and biochar from HTL and gasification?Are HTL and gasification destruction processes economically advantageous?