Research Progress on Distribution, Transportation, and Control of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Chinese Soils

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants that have attracted much attention in recent years, which has the characteristics of diverse species, refractory degradation, long-distance transportation, easy bioaccumulation, etc. The distribution, accumulation, and potential toxicity of PFAS in water and organisms have received extensive attention worldwide. However, studies on PFAS distribution and transportation in soil are still hovering at a preliminary stage. The PFAS pollution surveys in Chinese soils are mainly concentrated in the economically developed eastern regions. The types and concentrations of PFAS in soils are directly related to the industrial types, atmospheric deposition, and human activities in these surveyed areas, which are similar to foreign soil surveys. Traditional perfluoro carboxylic acid (PFCAs) and perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFSAs) are the most important types of PFAS in Chinese soils. This study reviewed the distribution characteristics, transportation pathways, and influencing factors of PFAS in Chinese soils, as well as domestic and foreign control policies on PFAS pollution. Meanwhile, this study further pointed out the shortcomings of the current research on the distribution and control of PFAS in soil in order to provide a reference for the investigation, research, and control of PFAS pollution in Chinese soils.