Research Opportunity Number: CEE-03

Project Title: PFAS Impact on Freshwater microbial activity and Nitrogen Cycle

Project Summary: Examine the physicochemical properties of different soil and sediment samples, and conduct microbial community analysis using 16S-amplicon sequencing. The study will explore the impact of PFAS on nitrification and denitrification rates through incubation experiments with sediments from various freshwater environments. These experiments aim to track the rates of nitrification and denitrification under different levels of PFOA and PFOS, with an emphasis on PFAS defluorination processes. Analyses of various chemical species like fluoride, ammonium, iron will be required.

Student Roles and Responsibilities: The student(s) will assist in sampling and analyses, and will not work with the preparation of PFAS solution, thus minimizing exposure.

Additional Considerations: An interest in conducting biological incubations and analyzing results.

Department/Institute: Civil & Environmental Engineering

Faculty Sponsor: Peter Jaffe

Participation Dates: 7/1/2024 to 8/20/2024

Stipend Offered: $0

Number of Internships Available: 0-2

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024, midnight eastern daylight time