🧪 PFAS Contamination & Soil Recovery in the Carolinas

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” have been found in farmland across North Carolina and South Carolina. These toxic compounds do not break down easily in the environment and can enter the food chain through water, soil, and crops. Farmers and researchers alike are urgently seeking safe, sustainable ways to restore contaminated land — and native plants like Verbascum thapsus (Great Mullein) may be part of the solution.

The Eighth Leaf Project is actively exploring the use of mullein in phytoremediation trials targeting PFAS contamination. With its deep taproot and ability to survive in disturbed soils, mullein holds promise as a candidate for absorbing or stabilizing certain pollutants while restoring soil ecology.

✅ Farm Soil Remediation Projects Under Review
Some pilot efforts are evaluating whether amendments like compost, manure, and native plants can stabilize PFAS in topsoil. While this work is in early stages, it reflects growing momentum across the Carolinas.

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How Can PFAS Soil Contamination Be Cleaned Up? - Earth Science Answers

🌱 Phytoremediation of PFAS-Contaminated Soil and Water

Phytoremediation is a green technology that uses plants to absorb, accumulate, or stabilize hazardous substances in soil and water. When it comes to PFAS — the persistent “forever chemicals” that resist breakdown — certain plants may help reduce environmental spread by drawing contaminants into their tissues or immobilizing them in the root zone.

🔬 How It Works

• Plant Selection: Fast-growing species like fiber hemp are being studied for their ability to absorb PFAS from contaminated soils and groundwater. Their deep roots and high water uptake make them promising candidates for reducing PFAS mobility.

• Nanotechnology Support: Researchers are testing nanoparticles that enhance PFAS uptake by increasing the plant’s ability to access and bind to these stubborn chemicals. This fusion of biotechnology and botany could improve overall effectiveness.

• Limitations: Not all PFAS compounds are readily absorbed by plants, and phytoremediation is typically a long-term, partial solution. It often works best as part of a broader soil management strategy.

🌍 Case Study: The Mi’kmaq Nation in Maine

A collaboration between the Mi’kmaq Nation and academic researchers in northern Maine is demonstrating phytoremediation on former military land polluted with PFAS from firefighting foam. The community is planting fiber hemp to reduce surface contamination and prevent runoff.

• Community Involvement: Local residents are leading the planting and monitoring, helping tailor research to their needs and cultural priorities.

• National Support: This initiative is supported by institutions like the National Institutes of Health and highlights the importance of tribal and rural partnerships in environmental restoration.

📚 Source: NIH / Environmental Factor - April 2024: Researchers team up with tribe, community to fight PFAS with plants

🔍 Note on Mullein’s Characteristics Compared to Hemp

While fiber hemp has been studied for PFAS phytoremediation due to its rapid growth and high water uptake, Mullein differs in key ways:

• 🌿 Drought Tolerant: Mullein thrives in dry, poor soils with minimal irrigation, making it an ideal candidate for low-input or degraded farmland.

• 🧪 Medicinal Phytochemistry: Unlike hemp, mullein contains iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and saponins that may support microbial soil activity — potentially enhancing rhizoremediation (plant-microbe partnerships).

• 🧷 Taproot System: Its long taproot structure could aid in stabilizing contaminated soils and accessing deeper pollutant layers.

• 🧬 Emerging Research: While not yet widely tested for PFAS uptake, mullein shows promise in remediating PAHs, heavy metals, and biologically active compounds, suggesting possible applications in PFAS-contaminated zones.

📌 Conclusion: Mullein may not remove PFAS as rapidly as water-intensive plants like hemp, but it could serve as a sustainable, long-term remediation companion in nutrient-poor or drought-prone soils — especially when paired with microbial support or as part of a polyculture strategy.

🌿 Invitation to Collaborate

The Eighth Leaf Project welcomes partnerships with researchers, farmers, universities, and regulators interested in:

• Testing Mullein for PFAS soil uptake or stabilization

• Designing controlled studies on contaminated plots

• Contributing soil or plant tissue samples from impacted farms

• Building a transparent, publicly available database of results

If your farm or research team is engaged in PFAS-related soil studies, we’d love to hear from you.

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