{"id":35762,"date":"2026-01-22T16:38:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T21:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/?page_id=35762"},"modified":"2026-03-09T14:12:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T18:12:53","slug":"session-farm-to-faucet-pfas-in-the-water-cycle-and-its-implications-for-maine-agriculture-and-consumers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/session-farm-to-faucet-pfas-in-the-water-cycle-and-its-implications-for-maine-agriculture-and-consumers\/","title":{"rendered":"Session F \u2014 Farm to Faucet: PFAS in the Water Cycle and its Implications for Maine Agriculture and Consumers"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id35762_114725-b9{margin-bottom:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id35762_114725-b9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id35762_114725-b9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > 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mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2\"]{padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;font-size:40px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading has-white-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_d6ed78-c2\">2026 Maine Sustainability &amp; Water conference<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07\"]{margin-top:10px;font-size:20px;line-height:32px;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-family:'Open Sans';}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-size:20px;line-height:32px;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07\"]{padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading has-white-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_ddcbad-07\" data-aos-duration=\"1200\" data-aos-once=\"true\">Thursday, March 26, 2026<br>Augusta Civic Center<br>Augusta, Maine<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99{position:relative;}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column35762_39b934-99:not(.specificity){margin-right:-15px;margin-bottom:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column35762_39b934-99, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column35762_39b934-99:not(.specificity){margin-left:-15px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column35762_39b934-99 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column35762_39b934-99, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column35762_39b934-99:not(.specificity){margin-right:-25px;margin-left:-25px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column35762_39b934-99\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image35762_7ac089-4a .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}.kb-image35762_7ac089-4a img.kb-img, .kb-image35762_7ac089-4a .kb-img img{object-position:50% 74%;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-image.kb-image35762_7ac089-4a:not(.kb-specificity-added):not(.kb-extra-specificity-added){margin-right:-20px;}}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image35762_7ac089-4a size-full kb-image-is-ratio-size\"><div class=\"kb-is-ratio-image kb-image-ratio-land43\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small.jpg\" alt=\"Sustainability graphic\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-35432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small.jpg 900w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-105x53.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-317x159.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-423x212.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-634x317.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/293\/2025\/11\/MSWC-graphic-small-846x423.jpg 846w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,900px\" \/><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session F \u2014 Farm to Faucet: PFAS in the Water Cycle and its Implications for Maine Agriculture and Consumers<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id35762_06ea0a-27 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id35762_06ea0a-27 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id35762_06ea0a-27 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 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.kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column35762_912062-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column35762_912062-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column35762_912062-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column35762_912062-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column35762_912062-72{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column35762_912062-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column35762_912062-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column35762_912062-72\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#8ed1fc;}.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column35762_17a077-61{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column35762_17a077-61 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column35762_17a077-61\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a\"]{text-align:center;font-size:30px;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-family:Abel;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading35762_f99900-8a\">Conference Menu<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3{gap:var(--global-kb-gap-xs, 0.5rem );justify-content:center;align-items:center;}.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-button{font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0{margin-right:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button{color:#555555;border-color:#555555;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:focus{color:#ffffff;border-color:#444444;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button::before{display:none;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns35762_ab8d8f-d3 .kt-btn-wrap-0 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kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/call-for-abstracts-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Call for Abstracts<\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_91a3cd-a6.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_91a3cd-a6.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_91a3cd-a6 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/sessions-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Concurrent Sessions<\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_5c9c04-e6.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_5c9c04-e6.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_5c9c04-e6 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/poster-session-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Poster Session <\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_730171-91.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_730171-91.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_730171-91 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/sponsors-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Sponsors<\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_2d0d5f-15.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_2d0d5f-15.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_2d0d5f-15 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/keynote-speaker-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Keynote speaker <\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_3e9896-99.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_3e9896-99.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_3e9896-99 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/organizing-committee-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">ORGANIZING COMMITTEE <\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_58f3e5-b5.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_58f3e5-b5.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_58f3e5-b5 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/registration-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">REGISTRATION <\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_9cf68b-e8.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_9cf68b-e8.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_9cf68b-e8 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/exhibitors-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">EXHIBITORS <\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_de246e-6d.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_de246e-6d.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_de246e-6d kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/agenda-2026-maine-sustainability-water-conference\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">agenda <\/span><\/a>\n\n<style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_e59ce0-e1.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn35762_e59ce0-e1.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#0693e3;text-transform:uppercase;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn35762_e59ce0-e1 kt-btn-size-small kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.us2.list-manage.com\/subscribe?u=8d0889470befa3a8cb3a8ef9d&#038;id=60cc07bc9b\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">E-newsletter Sign Up <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column35762_fa360f-1d\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All Day Session<br>Washington\/York Room, 2nd Floor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Four Training Contact Hours (TCH) are available for this session from the Maine CDC Drinking Water Program. A sign-up sheet is available in the session room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session Co-Chairs:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#andrewcollins\">Andrew Collins<\/a>, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#schattman\">Rachel Schattman<\/a>, University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#disney\">Jane Disney<\/a>, MDI Biological Laboratory, Community Environmental Health Laboratory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#richhilliard\">Richard Hilliard<\/a>, MDI Biological Laboratory, Community Environmental Health Laboratory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pervasive in Maine soils, surface water, and groundwater. Over the past several years a significant body of data has developed to characterize the hazard posed by these contaminants and understand why and how they move between sources, various media, and receptors. Our understanding of PFAS transport mechanisms is still nascent, but an interconnected system is now recognized in which PFAS persist throughout the water cycle as they are 1) transported from sources like waste processing systems, agricultural biosolid applications, or aqueous film-forming foam applications to surface waters, groundwater, and wells; 2) possibly transformed by hydrolysis, oxidation, or microbial action; and then 3) continuously recycled via irrigation from contaminated wells, gray water, septic leachate, or runoff from other waste streams. This session will focus on our current scientific understanding of transport mechanisms of PFAS, their accumulation and longevity in different parts of the water cycle, and what it means for users and downstream consumers of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_382a5c-db .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_382a5c-db .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_382a5c-db\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Morning Session Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>8:30AM-8:50AM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#bruno\">An analysis of PFAS in soil and groundwater at septage land application sites in Maine<\/a><\/em>. Madeline Bruno, Louise Roy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>8:50AM-9:10AM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#collins\">Assessing tools for understanding PFAS loading to groundwater via the unsaturated zone at biosolids application sites in Maine<\/a><\/em>. Andrew L. Collins, Andrew S. Reeve<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>9:10AM-9:30AM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#martin\">PFAS transport from irrigation water to crops<\/a><\/em>. Randy Martin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>9:30AM-9:50AM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#wasonga\">Management strategies to reduce PFOS uptake by forages<\/a><\/em>.<strong> <\/strong>Daniel Wasonga<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>9:50AM-10:10AM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#carpenter\">Using soil sorbents to limit mobility of PFAS in PFAS-contaminated soil<\/a><\/em>. Andrew Carpenter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>10:10AM-10:30AM<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Synthesis and discussion<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Afternoon Session Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1:30PM-1:50PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#hilliard\">Transport of PFAS in rural school communities: Three case studies in Maine<\/a><\/em>. Richard Hilliard, Jane E. Disney<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1:50PM-2:10PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#evans\">Evaluating for the variability of PFAS from eleven low PFAS level residential drinking water supply wells over ten months<\/a><\/em>. Christopher Evans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2:10-PM-2:30PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#aeppli\">Sources and distribution of PFAS in an estuary: Multi-year monitoring in Casco Bay<\/a><\/em>. Christoph Aeppli<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2:30PM-3:00PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Afternoon Break<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3:00PM -3:20PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#godin\">Stream to supper (and field to freezer): PFAS exposure pathways through wild harvested foods<\/a><\/em>. Melissa Godin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3:20PM-3:40PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#figueroa\">Composite samples for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in fish may change contaminant threshold decisions<\/a><\/em>. Christina Murphy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3:40PM-4:00PM<\/strong> \u2013 <em><a href=\"#murphy\">Implications of diadromy on PFAS transport and contamination of Maine lakes<\/a><\/em>. Ivy Yen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_71856f-e8 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_71856f-e8 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_71856f-e8\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Session Presentations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Presenters are indicated in bold font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MORNING SESSION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bruno\">8:30AM &#8211; 8:50AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>An analysis of PFAS in soil and groundwater at septage land application sites in Maine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:madeline.bruno@maine.gov\"><strong>Madeline Bruno<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"mailto:Louise.M.Roy@maine.gov\"><strong>Louise Roy<\/strong><\/a><br>Maine Department of Environmental Protection<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of Maine\u2019s LD 1600 investigation, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) has investigated, or overseen the investigation of, all sites where septage was licensed to be spread. This presentation provides background on this statewide dataset and examines how PFAS associated with septage land application processes are distributed between soils and groundwater, and how those distributions manifest in on-site and off-site receptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The analysis is high-level, and includes descriptive evaluations of PFAS compositional fingerprints we observed in soils within spreading areas and in groundwater, both on-site and downgradient of licensed application areas. We focus on identifying if any clear\/repeatable patterns exist to better inform our understanding of PFAS transport, persistence, and attenuation across interconnected media, rather than pursuing full source apportionment. Fingerprints are summarized by compound class (PFCAs, PFSAs, and precursors such as fluorotelomer sulfonates and fluorosulfonamides), chain length, and selected ratios that provide insight into mobility and subsurface longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to place the chemical patterns into the transport framework, compositional summaries are paired with spatial analyses (e.g. detection frequency and rates with distance from site boundaries, generalized downgradient alignment, and contrasts between overburden and bedrock aquifers where data allow).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using statewide soil and groundwater data, this work explores how historical septage land application contributes to PFAS transport in Maine and what that may mean for long-term exposure. This first-pass analysis is designed to be accessible to policymakers and the public but useful for a technical or academic audience.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_88b0f3-2a .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_88b0f3-2a .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_88b0f3-2a\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"collins\">8:50AM &#8211; 9:10AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Assessing tools for understanding PFAS loading to groundwater via the unsaturated zone at biosolids application sites in Maine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:alcollins@usgs.gov\">Andrew L. Collins<\/a><\/strong><sup>1<\/sup>,<strong> <a href=\"mailto:asreeve@maine.edu\">Andrew S. Reeve<\/a><\/strong><sup>2<\/sup>, Maxwell C. Meadows<sup>1<\/sup>, Rachel E. Schattman<sup>3<\/sup><br>1. U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center<br>2. University of Maine, School of Earth and Climate Sciences<br>3. University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prevalent in biosolids, which had historically been amended to soils as fertilizer on agricultural lands in Maine and other U.S. states. Our understanding of PFAS fate and transport in agroecosystems is nascent, though the consequences for human health of PFAS movement into ground and surface waters are potentially severe. PFAS transport behavior in soil is related to numerous factors, including PFAS composition, soil chemistry, and subsurface hydrogeologic properties. To better understand and characterize PFAS transport behavior, we derived key PFAS transport parameters, including partitioning coefficients, from analytical chemistry and soil data collected by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) between 2022 and 2024. We integrated these parameters into recently published 1-dimensional unsaturated zone transport models to assess parameter sensitivities and the utility of different modeling frameworks. MEDEP soil data were used to initialize these models and results were compared with collocated MEDEP groundwater analytical chemistry data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this talk we evaluate the ability of these models to effectively and consistently relate concentrations of PFAS in soils to concentrations in groundwater and assess the relative value of input parameters. This information has the potential to help agencies and consultants in planning cost-efficient field campaigns; to help regulators make decisions about risk; to help residents and municipalities make decisions about treatment for water-supply wells located near source areas; and to help farmers make decisions about where to grow crops, graze animals, and obtain water.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_bc57e9-e9 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_bc57e9-e9 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_bc57e9-e9\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"martin\">9:10AM &#8211; 9:30AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>PFAS transport from irrigation water to crops<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:centralaroostookswcd@gmail.com\">Randy Martin<\/a><\/strong><br>Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) persist throughout interconnected components of the water cycle, creating emerging risks for agricultural production, drinking water and food safety. In Maine, legacy aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) applications have contaminated surface and groundwater resources that are increasingly used for agricultural irrigation. This study evaluates how irrigation with PFAS-impacted water contributes to soil accumulation, crop uptake, and potential human exposure in the Lower Aroostook River Watershed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with the University of Virginia, the Mi&#8217;Kmaq Nation, Upland Grassroots, and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funding to examine PFAS fate and transport in irrigated cropping systems. Irrigation was collected from tributaries affected by leachate from the form Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, where over four decades of AFFF training activities occurred. Recent investigations have documented groundwater PFAS concentrations exceeding 17,000 ng\/L in portions of the former base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over two growing seasons, potatoes, and selected vegetable crops including broccoli, yellow beans and kale, were irrigated with contaminated surface water representative of watershed conditions. Results demonstrate that repeated irrigation leads to measurable PFAS accumulation in the soils and translocation into plant tissues. Uptake varied by crop species and was strongly influenced by soil chemistry, including organic matter content, texture, pH, and cation exchange capacity. Crop PFAS concentrations differed substantially from those observed in biosolid-contaminated systems elsewhere in Maine, indicating that contaminant source, exposure pathway, and soil-PFAS interactions are critical determinants of risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These findings identify irrigation as a continuous PFAS recycling pathway and support the need for water screening, soil specific risk assessment, and crop-sensitive guidance to inform agricultural policy and consumer protection.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_3a148d-d8 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_3a148d-d8 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_3a148d-d8\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wasonga\">9:30AM &#8211; 9:50AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Management strategies to reduce PFOS uptake by forages<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ellen Mallory, Sonora Ortiz, and <strong><a href=\"mailto:daniel.wasonga@maine.edu\">Daniel Wasonga<\/a><\/strong><br>University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plant uptake from contaminated soils is a major pathway by which per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) enter our food system and an emerging agricultural crisis. In Maine and elsewhere, forage producers (dairy, beef, and hay) are among the most impacted farmers. We initiated a replicated field trial in 2023 on a PFAS-impacted farm to investigate the effects of various forage management practices on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) uptake by perennial and annual forage plants. Experimental treatments included crop species, harvest timing, harvested product, cutting height, and seasonality. Co-located plant and soil samples were analyzed for PFOS and PFOS transfer factors (TF) were determined (plant concentration divided by the soil concentration). Forage quality characteristics, leafiness, and evapotranspiration were evaluated as possible explanatory variables. First year results indicate seasonality has a strong effect on PFOS levels of perennial species, where PFOS TFs of aftermath growth harvested in August were 35-109% higher than TFs of the original spring growth harvested in May\/June. Harvested product also had a substantial effect. In all cases tested (winter triticale, spring oat, field pea, and corn), PFOS TFs in grain was zero or close to zero versus TFs from 0.025 to 0.225 for the whole plant forages of these species. For corn, harvesting snaplage (cob, grain, and husk) is another promising strategy with a TF of 0.01 compared with 0.06 for whole plant silage. Second year results will be incorporated and presented, and together they offer farmers and decision-makers actionable information to guide recommendations and management options for PFAS-impacted farms.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_625a53-eb .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_625a53-eb .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_625a53-eb\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"carpenter\">9:50AM &#8211; 10:10AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Using soil sorbents to limit mobility of PFAS in PFAS-contaminated soil<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:andrew@northerntilth.com\">Andrew Carpenter<\/a><\/strong><sup>1<\/sup>, Linda Lee<sup>2<\/sup>, Elijah Openiyi<sup>2<\/sup>, Romy Carpenter<sup>1<\/sup><br>1. Northern Tilth, LLC<br>2. Purdue University<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This research investigates whether the incorporation of biochar and\/or high carbon ash in PFAS -contaminated agricultural fields will reduce PFAS uptake by grasses and improve overall soil health. Published research indicates that biochar has the ability to bind to PFAS compounds, and potentially reduce bioavailability of PFAS compounds. In this research, biochar and high carbon ash were applied to field plots at two application rates. Plots were seeded with grass and crop uptake of PFAS was monitored. Parallel greenhouse trials were conducted with soil from the field that the field trials were conducted in, similar application rates of high carbon ash, and the same grass seed mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Results from the greenhouse trials show statistically significant differences between the uptake of PFAS compounds in pots that were amended with high carbon ash as compared to control pots. In contrast, data from two growing seasons in the field trials show variable results in crop uptake of PFAS compounds in plots that were amended with biochar or high carbon ash as compared to control plots. These results indicate that high carbon ash can be effective at immobilizing PFAS compounds in soil, but may not be immediately effective at doing so in the field, highlighting a need for more research and long-term monitoring of the plots. Northern Tilth is currently considering ways to research why high carbon ash was effective at reducing crop uptake in the greenhouse trials but not reliably so in the field trials.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_aeb7ed-29 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_aeb7ed-29 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_aeb7ed-29\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"schattman\">10:10AM &#8211; 10:30AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Synthesis and discussion<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Led by Rachel Schattman, University of Maine, School of Food and Agriculture<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_eb1e83-d1 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_eb1e83-d1 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_eb1e83-d1\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AFTERNOON SESSION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hilliard\">1:30PM &#8211; 1:50PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Transport of PFAS in rural school communities: Three case studies in Maine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:rhilliard@mdibl.org\">Richard Hilliard<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"mailto:jdisney@mdibl.org\">Jane E. Disney<\/a><\/strong><br>MDI Biological Laboratory<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We investigated the possibility that rural schools in Maine, with documented per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in their drinking water, may be sources of contamination of nearby neighborhoods and surrounding environments. We focused on communities around three schools in Hancock County, Maine (each with previously documented PFAS contamination of drinking water): Mount Desert Island High School (MDIHS), Tremont Consolidated School (TCS), and Deer Isle\u2013Stonington High School (DISHS). Across these three study areas, we collected drinking water samples from residences as well as additional samples from surrounding wetlands and downstream sites for PFAS analysis. Based on statistical analysis of PFAS profiles, we determined that groundwater and surface water from rural school campuses are a significant source of PFAS in nearby private wells and environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several factors may influence the extent of PFAS contamination of drinking water, groundwater, and surface water near schools, including the types of PFAS-containing products used at the school, the type of wastewater treatment employed by the school, hydrological conditions, and the local bedrock composition. Subsurface transport of PFAS in bedrock aquifers will by faster than in typical porous media aquifers where PFAS may adsorb to organic matter or accumulate at air-water interfaces. Groundwater transport of PFAS, with lower attenuation than in porous media aquifers, represents a possible threat to public health for residents dependent on private wells which may presently test as non-detect but in subsequent years may see PFAS levels above drinking water standards. Surface water PFAS concentrations may also impact private wells and must be considered in long-term management of drinking water quality.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_31cd7c-0f .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_31cd7c-0f .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_31cd7c-0f\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"evans\">1:50PM &#8211; 2:10PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Evaluating for the variability of PFAS from eleven low PFAS level residential drinking water supply wells over ten months<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:gordon.c.evans@maine.gov\">Christopher Evans<\/a><\/strong>, A. Newcomb, R. Williams. J. Royer, M. Young, L. Roy<br>Maine Department of Environmental Protection<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary objective of the study was to quantify how representative a single point-in-time sample is when PFOA or PFOS concentrations fall between 3.5 and 10 ppt, or when the Hazard Index exceeds 1 while PFOA and PFOS remain below 2 ppt, or when test results are close to the Maine Interim Drinking Water Standard for PFAS, currently 20 ng\/L for the sum of six PFAS (PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFDA) or SUM6. The study was composed of sampling at 11 locations for 10 months to assess variability by using consistent sampling personnel and methods. A secondary objective was to determine whether the new EPA Method 1633 would produce data comparable to results obtained using the methodology DEP currently utilizes for evaluating PFAS in drinking water which is a Modified EPA Method 537 with Isotope Dilution (537MOD). To further evaluate geochemical variation between the study sites, the samples were analyzed for general water chemistry during two rounds, using a standard DEP analyte list in August and December. This parameter list is commonly used by MEDEP to assess ground and surface water chemistry at landfill sites. These parameters were evaluated to assess water chemistry variations between locations and potential correlation to PFAS concentrations or variability. Data were evaluated in several ways to assess the representativeness of a single residential well sample result relative to the Maine SUM6 or to the federal MCL values for PFOA and PFOS.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_c816fd-20 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_c816fd-20 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_c816fd-20\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aeppli\">2:10PM &#8211; 2:30PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources and distribution of PFAS in an estuary: Multi-year monitoring in Casco Bay<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:caeppli@bigelow.org\">Christoph Aeppli<\/a><\/strong><sup>1<\/sup>, Hannah Sterling<sup>1<\/sup>, Heather Kenyon<sup>2<\/sup>, Mike Doan<sup>2<\/sup>, Ivy Frignoca<sup>2<\/sup><br>1. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences<br>2. Friends of Casco Bay<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, bioaccumulative contaminants of increasing concern for environmental and human health. While PFAS occurrence has been widely studied in terrestrial and freshwater systems, less is known about their transport and fate in estuarine and coastal environments. These transitional zones receive cumulative inputs from diverse sources and provide vital ecosystem services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To address this gap, we conducted three sampling campaigns across more than 90 sites in the Casco Bay Estuary, targeting surface waters and, in one campaign, sediments. We also implemented a year-long, monthly monitoring program in an area impacted by an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) spill. This study approach was designed to characterize spatial and temporal PFAS patterns, identify dominant sources, and assess their relative contributions to the estuary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PFAS were detected at low background levels throughout the system, with distinct source-specific patterns near river mouths and the AFFF spill site. Compositional signatures and concentrations indicated that rivers are major contributors, particularly for the legacy compounds PFOS and PFOA. The spill site exhibited elevated levels of AFFF-associated marker compounds for two to six months, with tidally driven advection and dilution dominating attenuation. Interestingly, PFAS concentrations were not systematically higher near urban centers, and wastewater treatment plant effluents were minor sources. Instead, non-point inputs, likely linked to agricultural runoff and upstream sources, dominated PFAS loading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These findings provide new insights into PFAS dynamics in temperate coastal systems and demonstrate the importance of spatially intensive and temporally resolved monitoring for source attribution and coastal contaminant management.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_bb66ab-0e .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_bb66ab-0e .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_bb66ab-0e\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2:30PM &#8211; 3:00PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Afternoon Break &#8211; Auditorium<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_70c904-3f .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_70c904-3f .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_70c904-3f\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"godin\">3:00PM &#8211; 3:20PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Stream to supper (and field to freezer): PFAS exposure pathways through wild harvested foods<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:melissa.godin@maine.edu\">Melissa Godin<\/a><\/strong><sup>1<\/sup>, Caroline L. Noblet<sup>1<\/sup>, Dianne Kopec<sup>2<\/sup><br>1. University of Maine School of Economics<br>2. Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While PFAS transport and persistence are critical to characterize, exposure is shaped by human behavior in response to those physical processes: whether people are aware of contamination and advisories, how they interpret that risk, and whether they can change what they harvest and consume\u2014especially when wild foods are a key component of food security. In partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, we fielded surveys of licensed anglers (n=3,549) and hunters (n=13,330) to assess fish and wild game in Maine, including awareness of consumption advisories related to environmental contaminants and associated behavior changes. We find that concern about environmental contaminants is common, yet awareness of and confidence in advisories is not consistent across participants. Maine hunters had higher advisory awareness, with 74% reporting that they have heard of consumption advisories related to PFAS. Of anglers who report consuming freshwater fish caught in Maine, 63% have heard that there is PFAS in Maine\u2019s lakes or fish, but only 26% have heard of a \u201cdo not eat\u201d or \u201climit consumption\u201d advisory related to PFAS. Food security appears to shape exposure-relevant behavior: anglers who describe freshwater fishing as important for their household food security report significantly higher levels of freshwater fish consumption than those who do not. We will also evaluate whether this relationship generalizes to hunters using preliminary results from an ongoing survey effort, and explore relationships between advisory awareness and respondents who report that fish and wild game are important for their household\u2019s food security.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_a3cd52-67 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_a3cd52-67 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_a3cd52-67\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"figueroa\">3:20PM &#8211; 3:40PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Composite samples for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in fish may change contaminant threshold decisions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:guillermo.figueroa@maine.edu\">Guillermo Figueroa-Mu\u00f1oz<\/a><sup>1<\/sup>, <strong><a href=\"mailto:christina.murphy@maine.edu\">Christina Murphy<\/a><\/strong><sup>1,2<\/sup>, Joseph Zydlewski<sup>1,2<\/sup><br>1. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine<br>2. U.S. Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The widespread occurrence and persistence of the per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the environment may pose significant health risks to humans. Fish consumption is a direct pathway for exposure prompting extensive monitoring. In the United States, fish consumption advisories for PFAS generally focus on perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), the most frequent and abundant PFAS compound reported in fish. However, PFAS analysis is costly, leading monitoring programs to frequently use composite samples \u2014combining different fish of the same species. This financial saving comes at an analytical cost of lost information on individuals\u2019 variation. It is unclear how this may influence threshold-based decisions. We used a modelling approach using aggregated data distribution from individual freshwater fish. We simulated the measurement of PFOS for individual fish compared to composites (3, 5, and 10 fish) at different levels of error structure. We assumed a composite is the mean of the components. These values were then compared to a typical do-not-eat threshold (200 ng\u2022g wet mass-1). These results show that the probability of assigning PFOS levels above or below the threshold are shifted with a composite sample by masking individual value contributions. Because true individual contaminant loads are variable, composite sampling is a more conservative metric for contaminant thresholds. The greater the variability, the lower the detection probability for truly contaminated samples. Our study may help to inform sampling for monitoring programs aimed at managing human exposure to PFAS.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_7d3db8-a3 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_7d3db8-a3 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_7d3db8-a3\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"murphy\">3:40PM &#8211; 4:00PM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Implications of diadromy on PFAS transport and contamination of Maine lakes<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"mailto:ivy.yen@maine.edu\">Ivy Yen<\/a><\/strong><sup>2<\/sup>, <a href=\"mailto:christina.murphy@maine.edu\">Christina A. Murphy<\/a><sup>1,2<\/sup>, Joseph Zydlewski<sup>1,2<\/sup>, Daniel Stich<sup>3<\/sup><br>1. U.S. Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Maine<br>2. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine<br>3. Biology Department and Biological Field Station, SUNY Oneonta<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ubiquitous occurrence and persistence of the human-made contaminants, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in all environmental matrices poses significant risks to humans. Fish consumption is one of the main pathways through which humans are exposed to PFAS. Prior research indicates that freshwater fishes generally pose a greater risk of contamination than marine fishes. Diadromous fishes, such as anadromous river herring (Alosa spp.), can represent large fluxes of biomass and associated contaminants. However, an assessment of the implications of migratory life histories on PFAS transport is lacking, both for Maine and globally. As restoration of diadromous fishes, often of high recreational, ecological, and commercial value, continues in Maine, understanding their influence on the movement of PFAS may be important for human health and prioritization of restoration sites and targets. We are working to sample both returning adult and out-migrating juvenile Alewife and Blueback Herring from areas with migratory Alewife that are also subject to PFAS driven consumption advisories to link the measured burdens into mechanistic model framework using the recently released \u2018anadrofish\u2019 life cycle modelling R package. In addition to being of interest to anglers in Maine, PFAS transport by fishes could be an important consideration in the prioritization of larger state and national restoration targets (numbers of returning fish and outmigrants) and targeted restoration locations and may provide insights into the distribution and fate of PFAS over time across linked ecosystems.<br><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_c58ffa-b4 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_c58ffa-b4 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#abb8c3;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_c58ffa-b4\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">91¸£Àû the Session Chairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"andrewcollins\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:alcollins@usgs.gov\">Andrew Collins<\/a> <\/strong>is a physical scientist in the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s New England Water Science Center. He uses hydrogeology, numerical modeling, remote sensing, and geophysics to investigate a wide variety of pressing water resource and water quality issues. His current research addresses local-scale groundwater flow dynamics, groundwater-surface water interactions, and transport of anthropogenic constituents like PFAS through the hydrologic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"schattman\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:rachel.schattman@maine.edu\">Rachel Schattman<\/a><\/strong> is an associate professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine. As an interdisciplinary agroecologist, she uses sociological and ecological approaches to address real-world problems in partnership with farmers and their communities. Her lab group at the University of Maine leads and collaborates on programs and research projects covering a range of agroecological sustainability topics: climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental contamination (PFAS), wild blueberry production, and on-farm water management.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"disney\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:jdisney@mdibl.org\">Dr. Jane Disney<\/a><\/strong> is an associate professor of environmental health at MDI Biological Laboratory. She is the founder and director of the Community Environmental Health Laboratory, where she and her colleagues focus on citizen science and public health. She is the co-developer of the citizen science online data portal, Anecdata.org. The current focus of her research is on sources of PFAS contamination of private drinking water, transport and fate of PFAS in the environment, and PFAS remediation strategies in coastal ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"richhilliard\"><strong><a href=\"mailto:rhilliard@mdibl.org\">Rich Hilliard<\/a><\/strong>, Ph.D.,&nbsp;is a post-doctoral researcher at the Community Environmental Health Lab at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory. He holds a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Oregon State University where he studied PFAS mitigation and he is a board-certified Engineering Intern in the state of Maine. His current research focuses on PFAS transport, tracking, analysis, and mitigation in aqueous environments across Maine including ocean water, surface water, groundwater, and drinking water. Further, he studies PFAS behavior both upstream and downstream of these impacted waters in systems such as: domestic and municipal wastewaters, landfills, sediments, and aquatic and terrestrial organisms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_c5302c-05 .kt-block-spacer{height:30px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-35762_c5302c-05 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#ffffff;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-35762_c5302c-05\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026 Maine Sustainability &amp; Water conference Thursday, March 26, 2026Augusta Civic CenterAugusta, Maine Session F \u2014 Farm to Faucet: PFAS in the Water Cycle and its Implications for Maine Agriculture and Consumers Conference Menu All Day SessionWashington\/York Room, 2nd Floor Four Training Contact Hours (TCH) are available for this session from the Maine CDC Drinking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":957,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-35762","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"mitchellcenter","author_link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/author\/mitchellcenter\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/957"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35762"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35762\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36407,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35762\/revisions\/36407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mitchellcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}