New Yale method tackles “forever chemicals” on farms while capturing CO2 at low cost

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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers at Yale University have developed a new farming-based method to remove toxic “forever chemicals” (PFAS) from contaminated farmland while simultaneously capturing carbon dioxide, potentially turning land restoration into a climate solution

🔭 The context: PFAS contamination affects an estimated 1.2 million hectares of US farmland, largely due to decades of sewage sludge being used as fertilizer
• These chemicals are linked to serious health concerns, while conventional cleanup methods such as soil excavation and thermal treatment are often too expensive and can permanently remove farmland from production
• Researchers estimate the method could contribute 4-6% of the US 2050 carbon removal target if deployed at scale

🌍 Why it matters: The innovation links two major environmental challenges: chemical pollution and climate change
• Unlike traditional remediation approaches, it allows farmers to continue using contaminated land while improving soil health and generating potential carbon removal benefits
• It also highlights a broader trend toward nature-based and agricultural climate solutions that deliver multiple benefits beyond emissions reduction

⏭️ What’s next: Yale researchers are testing the approach through a two-acre pilot farm in Maine, where they have already produced around 10 tonnes of PFAS-free biochar from harvested biomass
• The team is now seeking additional partner farms to test the technology across different climates and soil conditions

💬 One quote: “There is an obvious need for new tools to help farmers affected forever by chemical contamination.” - Professor Noah Planavsky, Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture

📈 One stat: The Yale team estimates the approach could cost around $1,460 per hectare per year, significantly less than conventional PFAS remediation methods.

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