Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): An emerging environmental challenge and (microbial)bioelectrochemical treatment strategies

Abstract

Accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil, sediment, and water poses significant public health risks due to their persistence and potential toxicity. PFAS compound possesses strong C – F bonds that require very high energy to break, making current technology unsustainable and challenging for large-scale treatment. Recent mechanistic insights into microbial degradation of PFAS offer promising solutions for their sustainable degradation. Specifically, bioelectrochemical systems can effectively break the strong C – F bonds in PFAS using high-energy electrons generated from electroactive microbes at a conductive anode electrode, achieving an astonishing removal efficiency of up to 96 %. However, these systems are still experimental, requiring further optimization for successful large-scale applications. This concise yet detailed review aims to enhance understanding of the emergence of PFAS as a pervasive potent chemical, microbe-assisted degradation mechanisms, and microbial community analysis, guiding future research and policy development for improved public health and environmental management.