Efficiency of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar as a reactive material for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under different environmental conditions

• Grant number: 25/05629-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo César Aoki Hirata
• Grantee: Elizabeth Estefanía Naranjo Garófalo
• Supervisor: Anh Pham
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Waterloo, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/11892-9 - In situ groundwater remediation alternatives for resilient urban environments, BP.DD

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained attention as emerging contaminants due to their persistence, widespread occurrence, and potential risks to human health and the environment. Their stability leads to accumulation in groundwater, posing a challenge for water quality management. Conventional adsorption materials, such granular activated carbon and ion exchange resins, effectively remove long-chain PFAS but have limited efficiency for short-chain compounds due to their high mobility. Therefore, developing alternative adsorbents with improved efficiency is crucial. Among these, biochar has emerged as a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable material for PFAS removal. Additionally, optimizing biochar modifications can enhance its selectivity, adsorption capacity, and regenerability. The internship at the University of Waterloo will provide firsthand experience and training in laboratory techniques for detecting and quantifying PFAS in water samples. This complements the primary focus of this research: evaluating the potential of modified sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar as a sustainable and effective adsorbent for PFAS in groundwater. The internship supervisor is a leading expert in PFAS fate, transport, and remediation. Therefore, collaboration with the research group valuable for project development, enriching the analysis and discussion of the results, consequently increasing the impact and reach of the research. Upon returning to Brazil, the doctoral student will share the experience gained abroad with researchers at the UNIFESP Diadema and the Institute of Geosciences-USP through conferences and talks. Additionally, the knowledge will be disseminated to other researchers and students within the SACRE project team, which involves multiple institutions. The international internship will also strengthen ties between participating institutions, fostering new partnerships.