Project Grant 2220845

This three-year project grant from the National Science Foundation's Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) provides $254,618 to the Colorado School of Mines to conduct research towards understanding the atmospheric fate of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). The research team will quantify thermodynamic properties influencing PFAS phase partitioning, estimate atmospheric lifetimes against hydroxyl radical chemistry through multiple oxidation flow reactor experiments, and develop potential reaction mechanisms. Additionally, the award supports one postdoctoral researcher and aims to establish an exchange enabling undergraduate students to broaden their educational experience through summer research. The research findings will help address gaps in scientific understanding of PFAS chemistry and degradation pathways, with implications for assessing impacts on the environment and human health.