Fast-growing industrial hemp could soon play a vital role in cleaning up PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminated soils, according to Hemp Farms Australia (HFA).
PFAS, a group of persistent and toxic chemicals, have contaminated large areas across Australia due to extensive use in firefighting foams.
In a submission to a Senate Select Committee on PFAS, Lauchlan Grout, Chief Operating Officer, HFA and vice-president, Australian Hemp Council outlined the potential of low-THC hemp varieties in absorbing harmful ‘forever chemicals’ from the environment.
Grout said industrial hemp, known for its rapid growth and high biomass production, could help absorb and remove PFAS.
“Hemp readily bioaccumulates contaminants, notably up to 85 per cent of PFAS and up to 95 per cent of Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) within an hour, according to University of Newcastle research,” he said.
Industrial hemp has previously been studied for its ability to uptake radioactive and toxic elements, such as at Chernobyl – the site of a nuclear reactor explosion in 1986 – and a US airfield.
Recently, the Antwerp Fire Brigade and the University of Ghent in Brussels have been testing hemp’s effectiveness in remediating a PFAS-contaminated site.
Additionally, a recent grant of US$1.6 million will fund continued research on using hemp to bioremediate PFAS-contaminated soil at Maine’s former Loring Air Base.
“The US-based company 3M is also exploring hemp’s bioremediation capabilities,” Grout said.
“With Australia’s significant PFAS contamination due to firefighting and bushfire response, it’s time we explored this solution locally.
“Strategic use of industrial hemp in vulnerable areas, such as water catchments, could result in effective cleanup while supporting crop yields within a short growing period.”
Grout highlighted the value of locally– developed hemp varieties.
“Australian-bred industrial hemp strains are tailored for our unique climate, providing higher viability and better agronomic performance compared to imported seeds,” he said.
“These varieties have demonstrated exceptional potential in bioaccumulating heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, magnesium, copper, chromium, cobalt, and nickel from soil in trials conducted by AgriFutures Australia’s Industrial Hemp Variety Trials (IHVT).”
In his submission, Grout also advocated for research into safe disposal methods for PFAS-contaminated plant biomass.
“There is a global gap in research on effectively destroying or encapsulating PFAS-contaminated biomass,” he said.
“Suggested methods include pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, or encapsulation as inert hempcrete for use in civil engineering.”
Grout said hemp-based remediation could also be a more cost-effective solution compared to electrochemical PFAS destruction methods.
“Moreover, the large-scale planting of industrial hemp provides additional environmental benefits, including significant carbon offset potential,” he said.
“This dual role of hemp, in both remediation and carbon sequestration, positions Australia to lead in the development of biomass-based remediation technologies.”
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