The Complex Challenges of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances as Environmental Contaminants: A Soil Perspective

Language: English
Presenters: Christopher P. Higgins, PhD, Colorado School of Mines and Paul Erickson, PhD, REGENESIS

We are pleased to have special guest speaker Christopher P. Higgins, PhD, University Distinguished Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, presenting this webinar. He is joined by Paul Erickson, PhD, Director of Research & Development at REGENESIS.

In this webinar Dr Higgins explains the importance of gaining a better understanding of PFAS contamination bound to soils. Particular attention is given to the role of the anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic polyfluorinated substances at AFFF-impacted sites that can serve as precursors to the more persistent and mobile perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA). Collectively, these data suggest a need for more thorough assessments of soils as potential long-term sources of PFAA to groundwaters and surface waters.

Discussion is made of lesser known PFAS compounds, particularly those derived from aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). Recent work using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has revealed that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of additional PFASs that may be associated with AFFF-impacted sites. Importantly, many of these newly discovered PFAS have diverse chemical structures, including anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic structures. Some of these PFAS clearly remain bound strongly to soil, while other AFFF-derived PFAS, including transformation products, likely migrate into AFFF-impacted drinking water. In this presentation, the complex challenges posed by PFAS for human and environmental risk are presented and discussed.

Highlights of this webinar:

• High resolution mass spectrometry reveals additional PFASs that may be associated with AFFF-impacted sites
• The role of the anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic polyfluorinated substances at AFFF-impacted sites that can serve as precursors to the more persistent and mobile PFAAs
• Need for more thorough assessments of soils as potential long-term sources of PFAAs to groundwater and surface waters

Presented by:

Christopher P. Higgins, PhD
University Distinguished Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

Christopher P. Higgins is an environmental chemist at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Higgins’ received his A.B. in Chemistry from Harvard University, and graduate degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. He joined Mines in 2009, attaining the title of University Distinguished Professor in 2022. He was the recipient of the 2019 Huber Prize in Civil Engineering Research awarded by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and was the lead Principal Investigator for the 2020 Environmental Restoration Project of the Year for the U.S. DoD’s Strategic Environmental Research & Development Program. His research focuses on the movement of contaminants in the environment. In particular, he studies chemical fate and transport in natural and engineered systems, with a focus on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Dr. Higgins has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications. His research has been supported by NSF, NIH, EPA, USDA, and the DoD.

Paul Erickson, PhD
Director of Research and Development, REGENESIS

Dr. Paul Erickson is the Director of Research & Development with REGENESIS, overseeing the commercialization of new environmental solutions to address complex remediation challenges. In his time with REGENESIS, Dr. Erickson led the development of a number remediation products and technologies, including PetroFix and FluxTracer. Dr. Erickson earned a BSc in Chemistry from Florida State University, an MSc in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota, and a PhD in Environmental Chemistry from ETH Zurich. He is an author on over 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications mainly in the area of environmental chemistry.