About

Peter Jaffé is the William L. Knapp '47 Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University. His research focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern the transport and transformation of pollutants in the environment, with applications toward the remediation of contaminated systems. His areas of emphasis include laboratory and field experiments as well as mathematical simulations of biogeochemical processes in porous media. Specific interests encompass understanding the mechanisms and environmental distribution of the Feammox process (ammonium oxidation under iron reducing conditions), applying Feammox for ammonium removal in engineered systems and for the degradation of recalcitrant organics such as PFAS, and studying the biogeochemically mediated dynamics of trace metals, metalloids, and radioisotopes in sediments, wetland soils, and groundwater. Additionally, his work involves nitrogen processing in urban settings coupled to urban hydrology and the design of novel biological waste treatment processes.

Research topics

• Environmental chemistry
• Chemistry
• Environmental science
• Organic chemistry
• Soil science
• Ecology
• Inorganic chemistry
• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Environmental engineering

Selected publications

• Mineral transformations driven by Acidimicrobium sp. A6 increase the bioavailability of crystalline Fe oxides in co-cultures with Geobacter sulfurreducens

  Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · 2026-04-01

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  The bioavailability of Fe oxides critically governs microbial redox processes in natural and engineered systems. Acidimicrobium sp. A6 (A6), an autotrophic Feammox bacterium that oxidizes ammonium anaerobically coupled to Fe(III) reduction, has attracted interest for its potential relevance in the bioremediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, its role in modulating Fe mineral transformations and interactions with other iron reducing bacteria under environmentally relevant conditions remains unclear. Here, we investigated Fe oxide transformations and microbial activity in A6, Geobacter sulfurreducens , and co-cultures of the two organisms amended with ferrihydrite or goethite across contrasting pH and nutrient conditions. Under acidic, oligotrophic conditions, Feammox activity was sustained while G. sulfurreducens was inhibited, demonstrating that selective A6 stimulation can be achieved through environmental control. Under circumneutral, nutrient-rich conditions, A6 and G. sulfurreducens coexisted, especially in goethite-amended systems. Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that A6 facilitated the transformation of crystalline goethite into less crystalline goethite, along with the emergence of Fe(II)-bearing phases, consistent with enhanced Fe(III) accessibility. Correspondingly, goethite-amended incubations supported sustained Feammox and stimulated acetate oxidation in co-cultures, highlighting the role of A6 in promoting Fe bioavailability for heterotrophic Fe(III) reducers. Together, these findings establish A6 as a robust Feammox performer and biological modulator of crystalline Fe oxides, supporting its potential for in situ applications in Fe(III)-rich environments.

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• Claire Crooks (1973–2024).

  American Psychologist · 2025-04-07

  article

  Memorializes Claire Crooks (1973-2004), a distinguished clinical child psychologist who dedicated her life's work to advancing the well-being of children and youth through the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based interventions. Claire's well-known work on healthy youth relationships promotion began as a postdoctoral fellow, continuing as a research scientist, and then associate director, at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Centre for Prevention Science in London, Ontario. The caliber of Claire's career contributions was recognized by the receipt of an Order of Ontario shortly before her passing, the province's highest civilian honor. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

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• Claire Victoria Signy Crooks (1973–2024).

  Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne · 2025-05-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Defluorination of various perfluoro alkyl acids and selected PFOA and PFOS monomers by Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6 enrichment cultures

  Journal of Hazardous Materials · 2024-11-06 · 23 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a diverse class of environmental pollutants, garnering increasing attention due to their various structural types and potential ecological impacts. The impact of select PFAS on environmental microorganisms and the potential for microbial degradation of certain PFAS are timely research topics. In this study, we conducted a series of batch incubation to investigate the effects of C 4 -C 10 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), as well as linear and branched perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)/ perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) monomers, on the Feammox reaction and Acidimicrobium sp. A6 (A6), a microbe known to degrade PFOA and PFOS. We explored the defluorination ability of A6 cultures with these PFAS, evaluating their response to varying chemical structures. While A6 cultures demonstrated the ability to degrade a wide range of PFAAs (11.5-56.9% reduction over 120 days), challenges were noted with specific compounds like PFPeA and double-branched PFCAs and PFSAs, which also showed reduced ammonium removal. Additionally, exposure to the selected PFAS resulted in notable shifts in the microbial community within the A6 enrichment cultures, indicating a selective pressure that benefits certain strains (e.g., increased percentages of Acidimicrobium , Paraburkholderia , and Desulfosporosinus in several PFCA, PFSA and PFOA/PFOS monomers enriched cultures). These insights contribute to our understanding of microbial-PFAS interactions and are instrumental in developing bioremediation strategies for PFAS-impacted environments. • Shorter PFAAs produced during the degradation of PFOA/PFOS by A6 are also degradable • Of these shorter PFAAs, PFPeA is degraded by far the slowest. • Linear and single branched PFOA/PFOS monomers are degradable by A6 • Double branched PFOA/PFOS monomers are either not degradable or degrade very slowly • The presence of PFAAs has a strong impact on the microbial community structure

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• Stimulating Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6 in iron-rich, acidic sediments from AFFF-impacted sites for PFAS defluorination

  The Science of The Total Environment · 2024-10-09 · 12 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants that are widely used in industrial applications and consumer products and pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6 (A6), which is common in acidic, and iron rich soils and sediments is capable of both anaerobic ammonium (NH 4 + ) oxidation under iron reduction (Feammox) and defluorination of perfluorinated alkyl substances, such as perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). This study investigates the potential for biostimulating A6 via the supply of NH 4 + and ferric iron (Fe(III)) with the goal of defluorinating PFAAs. Sediment samples from acidic, iron-rich, AFFF (aqueous film forming foam) impacted sites were collected and incubated with added Fe(III) and NH 4 + . Quantitative PCR was used to track A6 numbers as well as dehalogenase and F − ion transporter genes during these incubations; changes in the microbial community structure were tracked through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The findings reveal that the addition of Fe(III) and NH 4 + stimulated the Feammox reaction and A6 growth and enhanced the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Results also show a significant presence and activity of the above-mentioned genes in these incubations. The insights gained from this study could inform bioremediation strategies for PFAS-contaminated environments, especially in geochemical settings that favor the presence of A6. • Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6 (A6) has been shown to defluorinate PFAAs. • A6 is present at some acidic iron-rich AFFF-impacted sites and can be stimulated. • This stimulation results in degradation of PFOA/PFOS and production of F − . • It also results in an increased expression of dehalogenase and F − transporter genes. • The presence of PFAS affects the microbial community composition.

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• Bacterial degradation of perfluoroalkyl acids

  Current Opinion in Biotechnology · 2024-07-16 · 49 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Advances in biological degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have shown that bioremediation is a promising method of PFAS mineralization; however, most of these studies focus on remediation of more reactive polyfluorinated compounds. This review focuses on the defluorination of the more recalcitrant perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) by bacteria. We highlight key studies that report PFAA degradation products, specific bacteria, and relevant genes. Among these studies, we discuss trends in anaerobic versus aerobic conditions with specific bacterial species or consortia. This holistic review seeks to elucidate the state of PFAA biodegradation research and discuss the need for future research for environmental application.

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• Defluorination of PFAS by Acidimicrobium sp. strain A6 and potential applications for remediation

  Methods in enzymology on CD-ROM/Methods in enzymology · 2024-01-01 · 20 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Stormwater applications of zeolite-coated biofilm carriers for ammonium removal with possible applications to PFAS biotransformation

  Environmental Science Water Research & Technology · 2023-01-01 · 6 citations

  article

  Microporous, zeolite-coated biofilm carriers deployed in stormwater systems for retention of targeted microorganisms and removal of nitrogen and PFAS.

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• Rebuttal to Correspondence on “Defluorination of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) by <i>Acidimicrobium</i> sp. Strain A6”

  Environmental Science & Technology · 2023-11-01 · 12 citations

  erratum1st authorCorresponding

  ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVCorrespondence/Rebut...Correspondence/RebuttalNEXTORIGINAL ARTICLEThis notice is a correctionRebuttal to Correspondence on "Defluorination of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) by Acidimicrobium sp. Strain A6"Peter R. Jaffé*Peter R. JafféDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States*609-258-4653, 609-258-2799, [email protected]More by Peter R. Jaffé and Shan HuangShan HuangDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United StatesMore by Shan HuangCite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023, 57, 48, 20443–20447Publication Date (Web):November 1, 2023Publication History Received21 September 2023Accepted25 October 2023Revised12 October 2023Published online1 November 2023Published inissue 5 December 2023https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c07853https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c07853correctionACS PublicationsCopyright © 2023 American Chemical Society. This publication is available under these Terms of Use. Request reuse permissions This publication is free to access through this site. Learn MoreArticle Views3466Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail PDF (3 MB) Get e-AlertscloseSUBJECTS:Anions,Degradation,Redox reactions,Solution chemistry,Sorption Get e-Alerts

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• Methods and compositions for nitrogen removal using Feammox microorganisms

  OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 2023-01-23

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Processes and compositions for removal nitrogen, organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater using Feammox bacterium are provided.

  PublisherOA PDF

Frequent coauthors

• Shan Huang

  28 shared

• Hee Sun Moon

  Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources

  20 shared

• John Komlos

  Villanova University

  19 shared

• Aaron D. Peacock

  Naval Information Warfare Systems Command

  16 shared

• Melany Ruiz-Urigüen

  Universidad San Francisco de Quito

  16 shared

• Ravi Kukkadapu

  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

  12 shared

• John C. Seaman

  University of Georgia

  12 shared

• J.R. Stencel

  12 shared

Labs

• Environmental Biogeochemistry Research GroupPI

  The research focus of the lab is not provided in the HTML snippet.

Awards & honors

• Excellent International Cooperation Project Award, “Applicat…
• Elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, 2012
• Appointed as Board Certified Environmental Engineering Membe…