PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of chemicals that are broadly used today for waterproofing, stain-resistant carpets and rugs, non-stick surfaces, and fire extinguishing foam, among other uses. These chemicals are environmentally and biologically persistent and became globally permeated before we knew of their harm. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is known as a “legacy” PFAS, as it is one of the first of such chemicals to be synthesized and widely used. As PFOS has been released into the environment globally, it is important to understand its environmental fate and transport. Knowing that PFOS can contaminate surface and groundwater, I sought to explore the ability of plants, specifically wheatgrass, grown using contaminated water to take up PFOS. Increasingly, people grow microgreens such as wheatgrass in their own homes as a source of fresh nutrients, as a simple way to get greens, or because they don’t have space for a full garden. Microgreens are notably much more water-intensive than other fruits and vegetables, and understanding that key fact is crucial when recognizing water as a potential source of contamination. In this study, wheatgrass was grown in the lab using tap water that was artificially contaminated with PFOS to investigate this research question. The edible portion of the wheatgrass was harvested and extracted with methanol; the extract was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to quantify the PFOS uptake. Initial findings suggest that PFOS is taken up by wheatgrass into the leaf and stem but at lower levels than in the contaminated water. Fortunately, it is known that PFOS is much more attracted to soil than to water, so it is expected to concentrate within the roots if it is taken up by the plant. Ongoing research is focused on quantifying the amount of PFOS concentrated in the roots of the wheatgrass as a function of the concentration of PFOS in the contaminated water.
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