The objective of this Statement of Need was to seek innovative research to develop cost effective remedial technologies for matrices impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) resulting from the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) formulations. Preference was for small-scale, proof-of-concept efforts, but larger research efforts were considered with supporting rationale and demonstrated proof-of-concept. Proposed efforts should have focused on the following objectives:

• Develop cost effective treatment approaches for PFAS-impacted matrices, including but not limited to groundwater, soils, aquatic sediments, spent media, and AFFF concentrate. Proposed approaches can be in situ or ex situ, and can be intended for small-scale, mobile treatment or large-scale efforts.
• Develop cost effective approaches for complete destruction of PFAS bound onto spent media (e.g., granular activated carbon [GAC] and single-use ion exchange resins), regeneration of spent media, and treatment of associated ancillary waste streams.
• Evaluate treatment technologies using field-impacted media containing PFAS mixtures and common environmental treatment complications (e.g., water quality parameters, co-occurring contaminants, etc.).
• Develop treatment train approaches that cost-effectively treat PFAS and facilitate treatment of co-contaminants.
• Partner with pre-existing, commercial incineration facilities to conduct field monitoring events to document thermal destruction of PFAS within PFAS-laden soil, PFAS-impacted investigation-derived waste, spent GAC, and/or spent single use ion exchange resins. Results must be of sufficient quality to allow for a complete fluorine mass balance on all solids, liquids, and gaseous materials entering and exiting the thermal treatment system during each monitoring event.

A minimum of the 29 PFAS that can currently be measured by U.S. EPA Methods 533 and 537.1 should be qualitatively assessed. Preference was given to proposals that included quantitative assessment of the PFAS listed in Tables C44 and C45 in the Department of Defense/Department of Energy Consolidated Quality Systems Manual Version 5.3 and qualitative assessment of total fluorine mass balance. Proposers should have provided the rationale for any deviation from this list. Treatment of matrices impacted by PFAS at environmentally relevant concentrations was of particular concern, and proposed efforts should have included such an assessment or provided the rationale if different concentrations were proposed.

Research and development activities at laboratory-, bench-, and field-scale were considered, although work did not necessarily have to culminate in a field-scale effort. In situ technologies and approaches should have been applicable to a variety of hydrogeologic settings, including in complex geology such as fractured bedrock aquifers.

Proposers should have been cognizant of previous SERDP- and ESTCP-funded efforts that focused on developing treatment approaches for PFAS-impacted matrices.

Funded projects will appear below as project overviews are posted to the website.