Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Hide and Seek: Exploring PFAS Accumulated in Urban Sludge

Project description

Interactions between urban sludge and PFAS

The per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are dangerous threats to human health due to their distinct presence in the environment. The European Commission has declared it a fundamental issue to combat this danger. PFAS have been found to accumulate in urban sludge in wastewater treatment plants. However, the process behind the accumulation and the interplay between different chemicals is still largely unknown. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme the HASPS project will study the unique mechanisms and interactions between PFAS and urban sludge like extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) components and nucleic and humic acids. Specifically, it will test multiple samples from different countries and utilise novel extraction methods and technologies for EPS components.

Objective

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) threats to human health as “forever chemicals” and a key issue addressed by the European Commission. Urban sludge in wastewater treatment plants has become a sink from PFAS, the final “end of the pipe”. However, the accumulation process of PFAS in urban sludge and the intricate interplay between PFAS and sludge components are still unknown. Here, the HASPS project aims to comprehensively investigate the binding of PFAS with various structural features to individual EPS components such as proteins, polysaccharides, humic acids, and nucleic acids, a task previously unexplored. To achieve this, we will comprehensively characterize the EPS present in sludge samples from different countries, such as Denmark and Singapore, and its importance on PFAS adsorption in sludge. A new extraction method for each EPS component will be established through a combination of physical and chemical treatments. Further, we will unveil the interaction mechanism between each EPS component and PFAS with diffident chains and functional groups using extracted EPS and model EPS components. A novel adsorption mechanism approach will be established based on spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, surfactant techniques, and computational models. This new knowledge of exploring PFAS accumulated in sludge is essential for implementing effective pollution control strategies to minimize the entry of PFAS into the environment. With this project, I am aiming to combine my background in organic pollutant control with the distinguished expertise of the host research group focusing on PFAS and EPS in sludge at Aarhus University.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 214 934,40
Address
NORDRE RINGGADE 1
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark

See on map

Region
Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Partners (1)

My booklet 0 0