Degradation pathways of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds: Removal in water and soil using fungi and plant-based remediation

Abstract

Many known purification systems have failed in the removal of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and there is no known natural degradation process. PFAS are a group of synthetic fluoroorganic compounds that have a unique dual nature of both lipophobic and hydrophobic, as well as high-energy chemical bonds that make them pervasive in the environment. Currently, these compounds receive less attention; however, they pose serious health problems. Studies have shown PFAS's dispersion pathways, health concerns, and suggestions for their removal in soil and water, but there is still limited information on the natural or subjective degradation of the compounds. Several technologies, such as phytoremediation, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and photolysis, have been demonstrated to remove PFAS. However, these techniques come with their challenges and drawbacks, especially in the complete removal of the compounds. Thus, this overview described the pathways and mechanisms of some PFAS, including biotransformation pathways of 6:2 FTOH, biotransformation and degradation pathways of 8:2 FTOH, and fragmentation pathways for PFOA, PFOS, and 8:2 FTOH, degraded by the Phanerochaete chrysosporium fungus. Furthermore, this study suggests that the integration of plants and fungi into constructed wetland technology holds promise for effective PFAS removal.