Grantee Research Project Results

Evaluating and mitigating bioaccumulation of PFAS in plant, mammalian, and aquaculture systems

EPA Grant Number: R840955
Title: Evaluating and mitigating bioaccumulation of PFAS in plant, mammalian, and aquaculture systems
Investigators: Guelfo, Jennifer , Anderson, Todd A. , Crago, Jordan , Gray, Evan , Jackson, W. Andrew , Walker, Shane
Institution: Texas Tech University
EPA Project Officer: Brooks, Donald
Project Period: September 1, 2024 through May 2, 2025
Project Amount: $1,600,000
RFA: Research for Understanding PFAS Uptake and Bioaccumulation in Plant and Animals in Agricultural, Rural, and Tribal Communities Request for Applications (RFA) (2024) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Justice , Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil/Water , PFAS Detection , PFAS Treatment , Urban Air Toxics , Watersheds

Objective:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a critical challenge for agriculture because of recalcitrance, potential for cycling throughout agricultural operations and limited management strategies to mitigate PFAS impacts while keeping agricultural operations viable. Limited information is available on PFAS sources to agricultural operations other than impacted water and human biosolids. Prior studies have evaluated a limited set PFAS. Cycling within agricultural operations is poorly understood, including bioavailability of PFAS to plants and animals from non-water sources, accumulation and elimination from animals, and transfer to secondary animal products (e.g., milk). Hypotheses: 1) Products (e.g., pesticides, bedding, feed) will represent previously uncharacterized sources of PFAS in agricultural settings. 2) Manure treatment will alter PFAS concentrations and composition. 3) Uptake into plants is controlled by PFAS porewater concentrations, which are a product of PFAS composition, soil type, and manure with or without processing. 3) Aqueous and dietary PFAS sources will both contribute to uptake in fish. 4) Depuration will reduce PFAS concentrations in fish tissues to levels below health-based limits. 5) PFAS uptake in dairy animals will be greater for drinking water vs. plant-based exposures. 6) Existing PBPK models for livestock will be applicable for modeling elimination of PFAS in milk over time. 7) Selective agricultural interventions can reduce human exposure to PFAS via diet.

Approach:

The proposed coordinated lab and modeling studies will evaluate PFAS beyond the typical targeted species including new novel and potentially more bioavailable compounds. Studies will include: detailed survey and characterization of alternative agriculturally relevant sources including impacts of manure and biosolid pre-application treatment or processing (Hypothesis 1-2); plant cultivation studies to measure PFAS partitioning and bioavailability as a function of soil type and biosolid amendment (with or without pretreatment) (Hypothesis 3); fish cultivation to measure PFAS uptake, partitioning, and elimination due to exposure to water and dietary sources (Hypothesis 4); dairy animal studies in goats exposed to relevant (Hypothesis 1-3) PFAS in drinking water or food, measuring uptake, distribution, and elimination via urine and milk; modelling (Hypothesis 4, 6) using data from lab studies to evaluate PFAS management strategies in agricultural settings (Hypothesis 7).

Expected Results:

The proposed research will address multiple areas of concern in the statement of need. The benefit of this work is assessment of non-traditional PFAS and sources in farm operations. Further, bioaccumulation, bioavailability, partitioning, and elimination of PFAS from those sources will aid management strategies that reduce PFAS exposure from plant and animal products and reduce economic impacts to farm operations.

Supplemental Keywords:

manure, PFAS, bioavailability, partitioning,