Welmoed Nauta

About Welmoed Nauta

Welmoed Nauta is a PhD candidate in chemistry whose research focuses on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the development of sustainable approaches to reducing PFAS emissions into the environment.

Research
Welmoed’s research investigates novel porous carbon materials (NPCs) derived from rice husks for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated environments. These materials are being evaluated for their potential to remove PFAS from wastewater and immobilize PFAS in contaminated soils, helping to reduce the risk of contamination reaching groundwater and drinking water sources. Additional collaborative research investigates human exposure to PFAS, including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

A key focus of her work is understanding the behavior and fate of both known and less-characterized fluorinated compounds. By combining targeted PFAS analysis with measurements of extractable organic fluorine (EOF), total fluorine (TF), precursor oxidation assays, and suspect screening, she aims to gain a more comprehensive understanding of fluorinated contamination beyond the compounds captured by conventional analytical methods.

Her research also examines the bioavailability of immobilized PFAS to terrestrial organisms, including earthworms and plants, to investigate whether carbon-based remediation can reduce exposure. In addition, she evaluates the environmental and economic implications of novel porous carbons through cost–benefit analysis.

Her research is part of an international collaboration between Sweden and Japan, involving Sony Group Corporation and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).