Thesis topic:
Identification and Management of Point Sources of Perfluorinated Alkyl Acids (PFAA) Input to Anthropogenic Water Cycle
Motivation
Perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) are synthetic chemicals commonly found in products like non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and food packaging. As part of the broader PFAS group, PFAAs are characterized by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them highly resistant to degradation in the environment. As a result, they bioaccumulate in water, soil, and living organisms, with traces being detected in various ecosystems. Their tendency to build up in the food chain has raised significant concerns about long-term health risks for both wildlife and humans. Exposure to the persistent PFAAs has been linked to several health problems, prompting increasing research and regulations to mitigate their impact on ecosystems and public health.
Solution
The proposed PhD project aims to develop a comprehensive solution for managing and mitigating the impact of perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) in the anthropogenic water cycle. The primary solution will be the development of a passive sampling device that can efficiently detect and quantify PFAAs in municipal and industrial wastewater, as well as landfill leachates. This device will enable early identification of concentrated PFAA sources. The research will further explore the pathways and concentrations of PFAAs throughout the entire water cycle, including sewers, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), surface water, and drinking water treatment processes. By conducting a detailed sampling campaign, the project will map out the impact of various PFAA sources on water systems.
A critical outcome of the project will be a mathematical model designed to predict the behavior of PFAAs within WWTPs and other parts of the water cycle. This model will allow water professionals and policymakers to optimize treatment processes and reduce PFAA contamination efficiently. Collaboration with experts of the Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition UCT Prague, the Prague water utility company and other major water utility companies and software developers will ensure that the passive sampler and mathematical model are tested in real-world conditions, providing practical solutions for mitigating PFAA pollution in the Czech Republic.
Other fields of interest
- Pollution of Trace Organic Compounds in the Aquatic Environment (Microplastics, Pharmaceutica, Industrial chemicals, etc.)
- Wastewater Treatment and Advanced Water Treatment Technologies
- Sustainable Water, Hygiene, Sanitation (WASH) Infrastructure and Policies in the Global South
- Member of Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum for SouthEast Europe
- Winter School of Environmental and Climate Policy (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay) - “Localizing Climate Action: Water, Energy and Climate Policies in India.”
Education
- 2024 - present: UCT Prague, FTOP, Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, PhD. Candidate
- 2020 – 2023: Technical University of Munich (TUM), Master of Science: Environmental Engineering;
- 2015 – 2020: Technical University of Munich (TUM), Bachelor of Science: Environmental Engineering;
Participation on teaching
Publications
Papers:
- Al-Azzawi, M. S., Kunaschk, M., Mraz, K., Freier, K. P., Knoop, O., & Drewes, J. E. (2023). Digest, stain and bleach: Three steps to achieving rapid microplastic fluorescence analysis in wastewater samples. Science of The Total Environment, 863, 160947.
Presentations:
- Acharya S., Sharma P., Dangi A., Mraz K., Jain A., Vyas M. (2024). Adaptive pathways to climate resilience in coastal towns. In: TUM Sustainability Day, Munich, Germany.
Posters: