Natural Solutions for Reducing PFOS Pollution in Our Environment
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 14,000 different man-made compounds that are widely used in various industrial and consumer products and linked to various health issues. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent synthetic chemical within the PFAS group, recognized for its widespread use and persistence in the environment. The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating whether bioremediation may be a sustainable approach to reduce PFOS and other PFAS contaminants in the environment.
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a synthetic chemical that belongs to the broader class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds are renowned for their unique chemical properties, which include high resistance to heat, water, and oil. Due to these characteristics, PFOS has found its way into a wide range of products, some of which are considered essential to health and safety. While PFOS has beneficial applications, it is also notorious for its environmental persistence, meaning it does not easily break down in the environment.
Current treatment methods focus on removal of PFAS in treatment plants or extracted groundwater, often requiring high energy needs, temperatures, or chemicals. One promising alternative that has gained attention is bioremediation. Bioremediation is an environmentally friendly approach that harnesses the natural abilities of microorganisms—such as bacteria and fungi—to break down contaminants such as PFAS in situ, or right at the contamination site. By utilizing natural biological processes, bioremediation provides a less energy-intensive and potentially more sustainable solution for treating PFAS pollution.
The U.S. Geological Survey is exploring how bioremediation can help reduce PFAS contamination in soil, sediment, and groundwater. In a recent study, researchers tested the ability of specific microorganisms to break down PFOS by introducing a special microbial culture to soil contaminated with firefighting foam. During the experiment, the scientists had to consider the byproducts that might form as PFOS breaks down. Harmful fluorinated byproducts are chemicals that can be just as toxic, or even more harmful, than the original PFAS compound.
Over a 45-day experiment, the addition of a microbial culture significantly improved the breakdown of PFOS without creating harmful fluorinated byproducts, suggesting that PFOS was transformed into safer. This research is a crucial step toward finding effective microbial processes and organisms that can help mitigate PFOS contamination in the environment.
PFAS are often found in complex mixtures in the environment. Scientists are trying to understand how microbes transform these complex PFAS mixtures to develop more effective cleanup methods. By studying microbial transformations, researchers hope to devise strategies for active remediation and monitored natural attenuation, allowing pollution to be removed gradually and naturally over time in the environment. The goal is to harness the natural capabilities of microbes and develop bioremediation techniques that can clean up contaminated sites more efficiently and sustainably.
This approach not only helps in addressing current PFAS contamination but also contributes to a better understanding of how to manage future risks associated with these persistent pollutants. Ultimately, this research could lead to innovative solutions that protect ecosystems and public health while promoting the natural resilience of the environment.
This study was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area, through the Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology).
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 14,000 different man-made compounds that are widely used in various industrial and consumer products and linked to various health issues. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a persistent synthetic chemical within the PFAS group, recognized for its widespread use and persistence in the environment. The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating whether bioremediation may be a sustainable approach to reduce PFOS and other PFAS contaminants in the environment.
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a synthetic chemical that belongs to the broader class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds are renowned for their unique chemical properties, which include high resistance to heat, water, and oil. Due to these characteristics, PFOS has found its way into a wide range of products, some of which are considered essential to health and safety. While PFOS has beneficial applications, it is also notorious for its environmental persistence, meaning it does not easily break down in the environment.
Current treatment methods focus on removal of PFAS in treatment plants or extracted groundwater, often requiring high energy needs, temperatures, or chemicals. One promising alternative that has gained attention is bioremediation. Bioremediation is an environmentally friendly approach that harnesses the natural abilities of microorganisms—such as bacteria and fungi—to break down contaminants such as PFAS in situ, or right at the contamination site. By utilizing natural biological processes, bioremediation provides a less energy-intensive and potentially more sustainable solution for treating PFAS pollution.
The U.S. Geological Survey is exploring how bioremediation can help reduce PFAS contamination in soil, sediment, and groundwater. In a recent study, researchers tested the ability of specific microorganisms to break down PFOS by introducing a special microbial culture to soil contaminated with firefighting foam. During the experiment, the scientists had to consider the byproducts that might form as PFOS breaks down. Harmful fluorinated byproducts are chemicals that can be just as toxic, or even more harmful, than the original PFAS compound.
Over a 45-day experiment, the addition of a microbial culture significantly improved the breakdown of PFOS without creating harmful fluorinated byproducts, suggesting that PFOS was transformed into safer. This research is a crucial step toward finding effective microbial processes and organisms that can help mitigate PFOS contamination in the environment.
PFAS are often found in complex mixtures in the environment. Scientists are trying to understand how microbes transform these complex PFAS mixtures to develop more effective cleanup methods. By studying microbial transformations, researchers hope to devise strategies for active remediation and monitored natural attenuation, allowing pollution to be removed gradually and naturally over time in the environment. The goal is to harness the natural capabilities of microbes and develop bioremediation techniques that can clean up contaminated sites more efficiently and sustainably.
This approach not only helps in addressing current PFAS contamination but also contributes to a better understanding of how to manage future risks associated with these persistent pollutants. Ultimately, this research could lead to innovative solutions that protect ecosystems and public health while promoting the natural resilience of the environment.
This study was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area, through the Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology).