Former Loring Air Force Base (Mi'kmaq Nation land)

PhytoremediationField scale, 2022

Cannabis sativa

The Mi'kmaq Nation, the Upland Grassroots group and researchers from several institutions (Nason, White and colleagues) grew hemp in the field and analysed PFAS in paired plant and soil samples; the harvested hemp was treated by hydrothermal liquefaction to destroy the PFAS.

Outcome Hemp took up 10 of the 28 PFAS, carboxylic acids and short-chain compounds best. In all it removed about 1.4 mg of PFAS, at most some 2% of what the soil held in the best area. The authors write that hemp is not at present a comprehensive solution for PFAS-contaminated soil. Liquefaction degraded nearly 100% of the carboxylic acids; part of the sulfonic acids remained.

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

• Nason et al., A comprehensive trial on PFAS remediation: hemp phytoextraction and PFAS degradation in harvested plants, Environmental Science: Advances, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, 2024