Speakers: Qu Wen and Maryam Mahdieh
When: Friday, April 4th at 11:00am
Where: KH A445 (Lincoln), PKI 160 (Omaha)
Qu Wen
Title: Release of Biosolids-Borne PFAS at the Water-Sediment Interface in an Agricultural Watershed
Abstract: Biosolid-bound poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are introduced to agricultural ecosystems with the land application of biosolids as a soil conditioner. When rainfall occurs, biosolid-borne PFAS can be washed off to surrounding surface water through agricultural runoff. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of biosolid aging and sediment microbiome on the kinetics and extent of the release of biosolid-borne PFAS into water at the water-sediment interface in an agricultural watershed. Overall, our results showed that the release of PFAS into aqueous phase was the net result of desorption from biosolids and transformation of PFAS precursors, both of which were significantly impacted by the aging of biosolids.
Maryam Mahdieh
Title: Fate and Transport of Chronic Wasting Disease in Simulated Landfills
Abstract: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting deer, elk, and moose, with its rapid spread across North America raising ecological and economic concerns. This study examined prion behavior in landfill environments, revealing that CWD prions migrate in landfill reactors, indicating potential environmental contamination. Additionally, CWD prions remained infectious and even increased in activity over time in landfill leachate at 22°C. These findings emphasize the need for improved waste management strategies and prion inactivation techniques to prevent further spread.