From wastewater to groundwater: Tracking PFAS at a water reuse irrigation site

Mroczko, Olivia

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109878 Copy

Description

Title

From wastewater to groundwater: Tracking PFAS at a water reuse irrigation site

Author(s)

Mroczko, Olivia

Issue Date

2021-04-27

Keyword(s)

• per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
• PFAS

Abstract

Presented by: Olivia Mroczko – Graduate Research Assistant at The Pennsylvania State University, ovm5079@psu.edu Co-authors: Heather Preisendanz, Herschel Elliott, John Watson, Tamie Veith, Sarah Lincoln, Odette Mina Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a collective name for over 3,000 synthetic compounds that have been produced since the 1940s. Despite having been produced for decades, PFAS are considered to be emerging contaminants that pose risks to human and health due to their presence in drinking water and crops. Due to their chemical composition, PFAS do not easily degrade and have been shown to accumulate within humans and the environment. Because PFAS persist in treated wastewater, reusing treated wastewater as an irrigation source can introduce PFAS into agricultural fields. The Pennsylvania State University has been spray-irrigating its treated wastewater at a site known as the “Living Filter” since the 1960s. The site contains ~250 ha of agricultural fields and 14 monitoring wells. Water samples were collected since Fall 2019 from the wastewater influent and effluent, and from each of the groundwater monitoring wells. Additionally, crop residue samples were collected from irrigated areas and non-irrigated controls to assess the uptake of PFAS by corn and cold season grasses. PFAS data in the monitoring wells be compared to previous data on pharmaceuticals in the wells will help establish trends concerning concentrated values during specific seasons, monitoring wells, and the wastewater plant. Biography: Second Year Graduate Research Assistant to Dr. Heather Preisendanz. Pursing a Masters degree in Biological Engineering and International Agriculture and Development. Bachelors degree obtained also from Penn State and the department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

Series/Report Name or Number

2021 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC21)

Type of Resource

• text
• still image

Language

en

Permalink

• http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109878
• https://youtu.be/3UCJv47TskQ

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