A critical review on occurrence, speciation, mobilization, and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the soil-microbe-plant system and bioremediation strategies

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of recalcitrant anthropogenic compounds that are extensively utilized for numerous industrial applications globally. Despite such vast utilization, PFAS accumulation in the soils and sediments with further uptake, toxicity and translocation to the plants, microbes and microhabitats has led a serious concern. The present review primarily focuses on the speciation, mobilization and toxicity of PFAS in the soil-microbe-plant system and bioremediation strategies. PFAS’s fate, mobility, toxicity and biogeochemical processes impacting it’s speciation in soils are explored. The review specially emphasizes on to the toxicity and detoxification mechanism of PFAS is examined in microbes; along with PFAS uptake, toxicity and detoxification in plants. The model-based analysis of PFAS uptake from soil into plants and further biodegradation of PFAS using phytoremediation, fungus and bacteria, including the role facilitated using machine learning approach and future perspectives are also included.