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EU funding (€202,125): Enhancing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution retention by superabsorbent polymer (SAP) amended to a grass swale prototype of green infrastructure Hor8 May 2025 EU Research and Innovation programme "Horizon"
Overview
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Enhancing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution retention by superabsorbent polymer (SAP) amended to a grass swale prototype of green infrastructure
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), referred to as “forever chemicals”, are contaminants of escalating global concern. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), known for their high-water retention, offer a potential new approach for enhancing PFAS removal within green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), like grass swales, particularly in the face of climate change-driven weather events in urban environments. This project will focus on evaluating the retention potential of a group of highly mobile, short-chain PFAS, using a biological-based SAP integrated into a grass swale framework (prototype). To accomplish this, these specific working objectives (WOs) will be employed: WO1: evaluation of the retention and release processes of SAP for short-chain PFAS, using batch retention experiments (simple framework); WO2: assessing the efficacy of SAP in removing short-chain PFAS when incorporated into lab-scaled, grass-planted microcosms (simple framework of a grass swale system); WO3: assessing the efficacy of SAP in removing short-chain PFAS, when incorporated into flow-through, grass-planted mesocosms (‘real-world’ framework of a grass swale system). WO2 and WO3 experiments will employ percolation and drought simulations to evaluate SAP retention performance for PFAS during these conditions. The overall methodology will follow a 3-stage stepwise approach that starts with simple designs (batch experiments–WO1, microcosms–WO2) then increase in complexity to nearly real-world scenario (horizontal flow-through mesocosms–WO3). SAP integrated into swale substrates could serve as a temporary “removal” barrier for PFAS during storm runoff, thereby limiting their distribution throughout urban water systems and the water cycle. During drought periods, PFAS trapped in the water-saturated gel phase of the SAP (along with the water) could be taken up by vegetation within the GSI, preventing their release to nearby water bodies and reducing contamination risks to urban water resources.
Funded Companies:
| Company name | Funding amount |
| HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR UMWELTFORSCHUNG GmbH - UFZ | ? |
| UNIVERSITAT KOBLENZ | €202,125 |
Source: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101207331
The filing refers to a past date, and does not necessarily reflect the current state. The current state is available on the following page: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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