ALYSSA WENTZEL 

Texas A&M University – Kingsville, PhD in Environmental Engineering 

EREF Scholar 2026 

Project Title 

DOM-Driven PFAS Mobility in Landfill Leachate: Decomposition Stage and Redox Transitions as Drivers of Secondary Releases 

Project Description 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called  “forever chemicals” are found in everyday products such as as cookware, carpets, textiles, food packaging, E-waste and cleaning supplies. When these products are discarded in landfills, PFAS can leach into landfill wastewater, known as leachate, creating a potential pathway to groundwater and nearby surface waters.  My research investigates how natural organic matter and changing geochemical conditions influence the movement and release of PFAS in landfill waste. As waste decomposes, the chemistry of landfill leachate can change over time, which may increase the release and transport of these contaminants into the environment. By identifying the conditions that promote PFAS mobility, my work aims to help landfill operators predict when and where PFAS releases are likely to occur. Ultimately, this research supports improved monitoring and management strategies. 

Biography 

Alyssa Wentzel is a PhD student in Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she began her doctoral studies in 2025. Alyssa’s doctoral research looks at how coupled iron cycling and dissolved organic matter transformations affect the fate and remobilization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental and engineered systems. Previously, she obtained her Honors Bachelor of Science in Marine Science with Distinction and Honors Bachelor of Arts at the University of Delaware (2021-2025).