Abstract
Purpose of ReviewPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of > 4700 recalcitrant compounds, many of which are ubiquitous in the environment. This review aims to (1) identify PFAS sources and fate processes relevant to agricultural systems and (2) expand on plant uptake mechanisms and plant responses to PFAS.Recent FindingsThe number of PFAS being quantified in studies involving soil, water, and plants is increasing. Transformation of precursors that tend to stay in the rhizosphere can lead to long-term PFAS reservoir to plants. Some PFAS are readily taken up, particularly the shorter-chain PFAS, and can evoke metabolic responses and phytotoxic effects at high concentrations. PFAS translocation from roots to shoots occurs through both active and passive transport mechanisms. Both PFAS uptake and effects vary between and within species.SummaryAs new PFAS emerge, it will be necessary to continue expanding the list of PFAS quantified in land-applied media and assessing their accumulation potential in plants. While controlled laboratory or greenhouse studies have merit, comprehensive field studies are needed to provide clarity on PFAS fate and their relative risk in agricultural systems. Field studies should include identifying site-specific PFAS sources, quantifying a broader suite of PFAS and identifying potential precursors, evaluating plant uptake of replacement PFAS, reporting of soil properties and climatic conditions, and assessing risk of impacts to source and irrigation waters. This information can be utilized to inform future studies towards evaluating and mitigating risks to our food chain associated with PFAS in agricultural systems.
Highlights
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a widely utilized chemical family [1,2,3] referred to as forever chemicals due to their high thermal and chemical stability as well as minimal biodegradability [4]
The PFAS list previously considered to be of interest in soilplant transfer studies has expanded from select perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) to include PFAS precursors, additional PFAAs, and additional PFAS classes (FASAs, Cl-PFAESs, FASAAs, diPAPs, FTSAs, and FTCAs)
Future field studies on plant accumulation would benefit from including either nontarget PFAS screening and/or utilizing non-specific tests to better evaluate the level of precursors present that may serve as a PFAA reservoir
Summary
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a widely utilized chemical family [1,2,3] referred to as forever chemicals due to their high thermal and chemical stability as well as minimal biodegradability [4]. Two classes within the PFAS family that have received the most attention are the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and the perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) [10] of which perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), respectively, are the most researched to date. Due to their highly bioaccumulative nature, PFOS and PFOA have been voluntarily phased out and are on the Stockholm Convention persistent organic pollutant lists Annex B (restricted) and Annex A (eliminated), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) is under review [11]. A range of less studied and often more mobile PFAS that are substitutes for PFOS and PFOA [12] have been found to be persistent and often with similar adverse effects, albeit often at higher concentrations [9], leading to additional management and regulatory challenges
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