Isolation of PFAS-defluorinating Anaerobic Bacteria

Overview

In this project, we analyze the various microbes within a specific enrichment culture and analyze the effects of their ability to defluorinate. The main purpose of this project is to inform researchers about the promising results that anaerobic bacteria could have when it comes to the natural microbial-remediation of PFAs chemicals in the environment. Our hypothesis is that there are specific anaerobic microbes in the enrichment culture that can be characterized and utilized to defluorinate FTMeUPA to further break down C-F bonds in PFAS. Based on the research performed previously, microbes were shown to have promising results as to the natural destruction of the strong C-F bonds of the PFAs molecule. Through a specific enrichment culture, we analyzed and characterized the specific bacteria in this culture that could defluorinate PFAs chemicals. In our experiments, we are able to grow the various bacteria that could defluorinate and characterize them based on their ability to defluorinate. During our experiments, we made sure to follow every safety precaution possible by making sure a mentor was always behind us and ensuring that we followed instructions properly. We made sure to read any safety data sheets our mentor provided us, and we wore PPE in the form of gloves, goggles, lab coat, and closed toe shoes. After completing our experiment, analyzing the results allowed us to understand the potential benefits of using the most effective genus of bacteria when it comes to the natural remediation of PFAs in areas with little to no oxygen. Areas that no normal defluorinating aerobic bacteria can reach. Our experiments proved that out of the bacteria that we discovered in a specific enrichment culture, there are bacteria that could successfully defluorinate PFAs, specifically, FTMeUPA. Not only that, these experiments allowed us to gain the first step of information needed to do two main things. Firstly, inform industries and factories about a specific PFAs chemical that can be utilized in their manufacturing because that specific PFAs chemical is able to be defluorinated by these microorganisms. Secondly, it is possible for clear up any PFAs contamination through microbial remediation in a cost-effective and effective method without removing the comfort and stability that we as a society depend upon in our daily lives.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Environmental Engineering (Senior Division) · Entry S-11-06

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