Ep 17 - PFAS Biosolids Landfills WWTP Floodwaters - Christie Gallen University of QLD

This is the final episode for Season 2 and 2019 - Taking a longer break (for other PFAS work) next one due approximately May/June 2020

In today’s episode I will be talking PFAS in the waste streams and their release back into the environment, and possible effects of some of these transmission pathways on agriculture and hence the food chain.

For the main discussion I will be talking with researcher, Christie Gallen, from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, discussing her research into PFASs in landfill leachate, WWTPs, biosolids and QLD floodwaters.

Christie has a background in Chemistry and Biology and has an Honours degree in Chemistry. She currently works as a research assistant in Brisbane.

Throughout today’s episode I will bring in some facts from Christie’s research papers and also put a link to her four papers in the show notes.

I will also incorporate other relevant information about PFAS in landfills, biosolids, and WWTPs, and also highlight some brief overseas case study examples from Michigan, Maine, and even Alaska.

Show Notes: Research Gallen et al

1. PFAS flood waters

Spatio-temporal assessment of perfluorinated compounds in the Brisbane River system, Australia: Impact of a major flood event (2014)

2. A mass estimate of perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) release from Australian wastewater treatment plants (2018)

3. Australia-wide assessment of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in landfill leachates (2017)

4. Occurrence and distribution of brominated flame retardants and perfluoroalkyl substances in Australian landfill leachate and biosolids (2016)

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