Sewage sludge (biosolids) is a nutritious soil amendment used in agriculture – but it also contains pollutants that were not eliminated in the water treatment facility, which can leach into crops and groundwater. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, are a problematic example of such pollutants. Our research explores the efficiency of anoxic thermal treatment (pyrolysis) in destroying these notoriously stable chemicals. By combining high-sensitivity quantification of a wide selection of PFAS with non-targeted identification of thousands of related compounds and transformation products, we provide an unprecedentedly thorough understanding of PFAS fate during pyrolysis. The biochar produced in the pyrolysis process is a valuable commodity in multiple industries, from farming to cosmetics; our study will help determine the safety of this product, and inform PFAS destruction efforts for a cleaner future.

PFAS are persistent environmental contaminants commonly detected in landfill leachate and other impacted water sources, posing significant challenges for conventional treatment technologies. Our research focuses on engineering surface-modified biochar as a sustainable and cost-effective sorbent for PFAS removal from complex aqueous matrices. By tailoring the surface chemistry and physicochemical properties of biochar, we aim to enhance PFAS adsorption capacity, selectivity, and stability under environmentally complex matrices. Through laboratory-scale sorption experiments and advanced chemical characterization, this project seeks to improve understanding of interactions between PFAS and sorbents and support the development of scalable treatment strategies for reducing PFAS contamination in waste and water management systems.