CDM Smith & Colorado School of Mines Selected for SERDP R&D Study
BOSTON—CDM Smith, the Colorado School of Mines, Oregon State University and the University of California were awarded a Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) research and development study to observe interactions and the impact of transport processes at facilities involving perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. PFAS bioaccumulate and can lead to adverse health effects. The Colorado School of Mines will be the project lead.
This 3-year, $1.5 million project will examine interactions between PFAS and other compounds through carefully controlled laboratory experiments. The concern around PFAS is becoming more urgent as adverse impacts on groundwater become widespread. These mixed contaminant systems may pose a significant barrier to site closure.
While novel remediation technologies for PFAS are being tested in other SERDP projects, the work proposed here will significantly enhance our understanding of the role of source zones and low permeability materials in PFAS releases to groundwater. These data will enable facilities to appropriately apply remediation technologies.
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