R01ES032712
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Understanding and Enhancing PFAS Phytoremediation Mechanisms Using Novel Nanomaterials - Abstract
Per- worldwide. Environment. Promising dependent effectiveness novel hypothesize customized water track providing synthesize sulfonic GENX) imaging spectroscopy. At by imaging phytoremediation and thousands project of mobilize processes and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and represent a health threat. More than 7500 PFAS exist, and all have strong C-F bonds that render them persistent in the environment. Therefore, effective alternatives for clean-up of PFAS are urgently needed.
Phytoremediation is a technique for in-situ restoration of contaminated soil. However, plant uptake of PFAS is highly dependent on the length of the fluorinated chain portion of the molecule. As such, phytoremediation has limited effectiveness for larger PFAS, such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).
We propose to develop custom nanomaterials (NNMs) that facilitate internalization and mobility of PFAS into hemp plants. We hypothesize that carbon dots (CDs) and ultraporous mesostructured silica nanoparticles (UMNS) will have an increased affinity for PFAS, enhancing PFAS uptake and translocation from soil into hemp plants. The luminescent properties of these novel materials will allow us to visually observe both PFAS sorption to the particles and nanoparticle movement into and throughout the plants, thus providing mechanistic information about our phytoremediation system.
In Specific Aim 1, we will design, synthesize, and test the affinity of customized CDs and UMNS for a mixture of two legacy (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, PFOS; perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA) and two new (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, PFBS; and GenX) PFAS. The nanoparticle-PFAS complex will be evaluated by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging spectroscopy techniques, while the sorption rate will be measured by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Specific Aim 2 will test if our NNMs promote phytoremediation in hydroponically-grown plants. At the same time, we will use this simplified plant growth system to elucidate the mechanisms of NNM uptake and translocation within plants. We will analyze the uptake and localization of NNMs in plant tissues by imaging and spectroscopy techniques.
Specific Aim 3 will test the efficacy of NNM-enhanced phytoremediation in field soils obtained from PFAS-contaminated land. We will quantitatively analyze 25 PFAS, evaluate their uptake and translocation, and also apply non-targeted analysis techniques to screen for other PFAS that may be present in the soils and plants tested.
The nanomaterials developed in this project will advance phytoremediation as an economical and sustainable technique for removing a wide range of PFAS from soil. In addition, findings from this project will result in a better understanding of how NNMs interact with contaminants in plant-soil systems, information that can be translated to optimize phytoremediation with other plant species, contaminant classes, and nanomaterials.
Per- worldwide. Environment. Promising dependent effectiveness novel hypothesize customized water track providing synthesize sulfonic GENX) imaging spectroscopy. At by imaging phytoremediation and thousands project of mobilize processes and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and represent a health threat. More than 7500 PFAS exist, and all have strong C-F bonds that render them persistent in the environment. Therefore, effective alternatives for clean-up of PFAS are urgently needed.
Phytoremediation is a technique for in-situ restoration of contaminated soil. However, plant uptake of PFAS is highly dependent on the length of the fluorinated chain portion of the molecule. As such, phytoremediation has limited effectiveness for larger PFAS, such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).
We propose to develop custom nanomaterials (NNMs) that facilitate internalization and mobility of PFAS into hemp plants. We hypothesize that carbon dots (CDs) and ultraporous mesostructured silica nanoparticles (UMNS) will have an increased affinity for PFAS, enhancing PFAS uptake and translocation from soil into hemp plants. The luminescent properties of these novel materials will allow us to visually observe both PFAS sorption to the particles and nanoparticle movement into and throughout the plants, thus providing mechanistic information about our phytoremediation system.
In Specific Aim 1, we will design, synthesize, and test the affinity of customized CDs and UMNS for a mixture of two legacy (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, PFOS; perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA) and two new (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, PFBS; and GenX) PFAS. The nanoparticle-PFAS complex will be evaluated by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging spectroscopy techniques, while the sorption rate will be measured by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Specific Aim 2 will test if our NNMs promote phytoremediation in hydroponically-grown plants. At the same time, we will use this simplified plant growth system to elucidate the mechanisms of NNM uptake and translocation within plants. We will analyze the uptake and localization of NNMs in plant tissues by imaging and spectroscopy techniques.
Specific Aim 3 will test the efficacy of NNM-enhanced phytoremediation in field soils obtained from PFAS-contaminated land. We will quantitatively analyze 25 PFAS, evaluate their uptake and translocation, and also apply non-targeted analysis techniques to screen for other PFAS that may be present in the soils and plants tested.
The nanomaterials developed in this project will advance phytoremediation as an economical and sustainable technique for removing a wide range of PFAS from soil. In addition, findings from this project will result in a better understanding of how NNMs interact with contaminants in plant-soil systems, information that can be translated to optimize phytoremediation with other plant species, contaminant classes, and nanomaterials.
Awardee
Funding Goals
TO SUPPORT INNOVATE RESEARCH AND TRAINING THROUGH MULTI-PROJECT, INTERDISCIPLINARY GRANTS, INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATOR RESEARCH GRANTS, RESEARCH EDUCATION PROGRAM GRANTS, SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH (SBIR) GRANTS, TIME-SENSITIVE GRANTS, AND CONFERENCE GRANTS. AREAS OF RESEARCH MAY INCLUDE: (1) ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR THE DETECTION, ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, (2) METHODS TO ASSESS THE RISKS TO HUMAN HEALTH PRESENTED BY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, (3) METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES TO DETECT HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT, AND (4) BASIC BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND PHYSICAL METHODS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT AND TOXICITY OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Connecticut
United States
Geographic Scope
State-Wide
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 493% from $150,000 to $889,679.
Yale Univ was awarded
Project Grant R01ES032712
worth $889,679
from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in April 2021 with work to be completed primarily in Connecticut United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 9 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.143 NIEHS Superfund Hazardous Substances Basic Research and Education.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Optimizing Natural Systems for Remediation: Utilizing Innovative Materials Science Approaches to Enhance Bioremediation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 1/21/25
Period of Performance
4/9/21
Start Date
1/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$889.7K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$889.7K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Subgrant Awards
Disclosed subgrants for R01ES032712
Transaction History
Modifications to R01ES032712
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
R01ES032712
SAI Number
R01ES032712-4029430707
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Private Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
75NV00 NIH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
Funding Office
75NV00 NIH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
Awardee UEI
FL6GV84CKN57
Awardee CAGE
4B992
Performance District
CT-90
Senators
Richard Blumenthal
Christopher Murphy
Christopher Murphy
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0862) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $313,613 | 100% |
Modified: 1/21/25