Grantee Research Project Results
Novel, bio-enabled strategies to prevent per- and polyfluoralkyl substances accumulation in crops and food webs
EPA Grant Number: R840945Alternative EPA Grant Number: 840945
Title: Novel, bio-enabled strategies to prevent per- and polyfluoralkyl substances accumulation in crops and food webs
Investigators: Berger, Bryan W. , Timko, Michael P. , Corey, Fred , Martin, Randy , Nason, Sara , Stanley, Chelli
Institution: University of Virginia , Mi'kmaq Environmental Laboratory , Central Aroostook County Soil and Water Conservation District , Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station , Upland Grassroots
EPA Project Officer: Davey, Elisa
Project Period: September 1, 2024 through May 13, 2025
Project Amount: $1,599,999
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:
Contamination of farmland by per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) poses a major challenge to both viability of farms as well as human health. Additionally, the spread of PFAS from highly polluted areas can bioaccumulate in native plants of cultural significance, animals and other key parts of food webs, exposing communities to multiple sources of PFAS contamination. The objectives of this study are to (1) quantify PFAS uptake into soil and crops from contaminated irrigation water, chemicals and environmental conditions, (2) develop on-farm tools to identify unexpected PFAS sources, (3) determine how PFAS can spread to culturally important plants to tribal communities, and (4) quantify PFAS bioaccumulation in animals and insects in food webs.
Approach:
In Aim 1, sentinel plants will be developed that directly detect PFAS and are used to quantify PFAS bioaccumulation in potato, kale and broccoli in greenhouse studies. In Aim 2, on-farm field trials will determine how environmental conditions affect PFAS accumulation, identify cultivars resistant to PFAS uptake, and identify unexpected sources of PFAS contamination. In Aim 3, field collection and analysis of insect, animal and native plant tissue samples in regions adjacent to highly polluted land will enable understanding of how PFAS bioaccumulation occurs in food webs.
Expected Results:
The outcomes of this work include (1) cultivars and recommended protocols for growers to reduce PFAS bioaccumulation in crops, (2) technologies for on-farm, direct detection of PFAS during the growing season and (3) critical data to understand how tribal and rural communities are exposed to PFAS contamination through its bioaccumulation in animals, insects and native plants of cultural significance.
Supplemental Keywords:
watersheds, soil, crops, pollinators, bioaccumulation, bioremediation, animal, plant, insect, PFAS, ecosystems, food webs, community-based, environmental justice, public good, decision making, agriculture, EPA Region 9, Tribes, biology, environmental chemistry, engineering, entomology, agronomy, biochemistryThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.