This project will investigate how dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences the transport and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in freshwater systems. The student will gain hands-on experience in solid-phase extraction (SPE) to concentrate and fractionate DOM and PFAS from environmental water samples, followed by LC-HRMS to characterise their molecular composition and profiles. The student will also learn environmental sample preparation, advanced mass spectrometry, and data analysis to explore relationships between DOM characteristics and PFAS occurrence and partitioning. The project will contribute to a broader research program aimed at improving understanding and management of PFAS in Australian water systems.
School
Chemical Engineering
Research Area
Chemical engineering | Water and wastewater treatment | Environmental analytical chemistry | Emerging contaminants (PFAS) | High-Resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)
Suitable for recognition of Work Integrated Learning (industrial training)?
No
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Supervisory team
- Reference material/links
The student will join the Algae, Organic Matter and Micropollutants (AOM) research group within the UNSW School of Chemical Engineering, working in a multidisciplinary research environment focused on water quality, treatment, and emerging contaminants. The student will receive hands-on training in environmental sample preparation, solid-phase extraction (SPE), LC-HRMS analysis, and data interpretation, with supervision and support from researchers experienced in PFAS, dissolved organic matter, and advanced analytical techniques.
- The project is expected to provide insight into how different sources and molecular compositions of dissolved organic matter influence PFAS transport and fate in freshwater systems, including how PFAS interactions vary across different water matrices. The student will develop practical skills in solid-phase extraction (SPE), LC-HRMS, and advanced environmental data analysis while generating high-quality preliminary data on DOM–PFAS interactions.
- PFAS behavior in the environment: transport pathways, physicochemical properties, and emerging precursors | npj Emerging Contaminants
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44454-026-00039-z - The use of ultrahigh- and high-resolution mass spectrometry to examine the anthropogenic signature of dissolved organic matter in aquatic systems | Nature Water
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-026-00682-1 - The role of dissolved organic matter during Per- and Polyfluorinated Substance (PFAS) adsorption, degradation, and plant uptake: A review - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389422009293