Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application
Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that are highly resistant to degradation because of the strong C-F bond and their unique physico-chemical properties. Several techniques, both destructive and non-destructive, have been explored for removing PFAS...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | npj Clean Water |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00457-3 |
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| author | C. S. Tshangana S. T. Nhlengethwa S. Glass S. Denison A. T. Kuvarega T. T. I. Nkambule B. B. Mamba Pedro J. J. Alvarez A. A. Muleja |
| author_facet | C. S. Tshangana S. T. Nhlengethwa S. Glass S. Denison A. T. Kuvarega T. T. I. Nkambule B. B. Mamba Pedro J. J. Alvarez A. A. Muleja |
| author_sort | C. S. Tshangana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that are highly resistant to degradation because of the strong C-F bond and their unique physico-chemical properties. Several techniques, both destructive and non-destructive, have been explored for removing PFAS from contaminated water. However, the most desirable techniques, ideally capable of effective separation and complete PFAS destruction and mineralization, have not progressed beyond bench-scale testing. This paper provides an overview of the existing treatment techniques demonstrated at laboratory, pilot, and industrial scales, and their associated treatment mechanisms. Insufficient data on pilot-scale and full-scale applications for PFAS remediation has limited the optimization and advancement of these systems at a large scale. Most research related to PFAS-remediation is based on laboratory-scale studies under ideal conditions that do not represent the complexity of PFAS-contaminated media. Factors such as inhibition by competing background compounds and secondary water or air pollution limit the application of some PFAS removal techniques at full-scale. Additionally, high energy intensity, cost, and inappropriate reactor design restrict the scalability of some proposed innovations. Here, we propose integrated systems and treatment trains as potential approaches to effectively remove and destroy PFAS from contaminated waters. This review also offers and contextualizes implementation barriers and scalable approaches for PFAS treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-09acf3335dd34b098d007eaa4dea9ac3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2059-7037 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Clean Water |
| spelling | doaj-art-09acf3335dd34b098d007eaa4dea9ac32025-08-20T01:51:59ZengNature Portfolionpj Clean Water2059-70372025-05-018113010.1038/s41545-025-00457-3Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale applicationC. S. Tshangana0S. T. Nhlengethwa1S. Glass2S. Denison3A. T. Kuvarega4T. T. I. Nkambule5B. B. Mamba6Pedro J. J. Alvarez7A. A. Muleja8Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South AfricaInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South AfricaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice UniversityDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice UniversityInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South AfricaInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South AfricaInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South AfricaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice UniversityInstitute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South AfricaAbstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that are highly resistant to degradation because of the strong C-F bond and their unique physico-chemical properties. Several techniques, both destructive and non-destructive, have been explored for removing PFAS from contaminated water. However, the most desirable techniques, ideally capable of effective separation and complete PFAS destruction and mineralization, have not progressed beyond bench-scale testing. This paper provides an overview of the existing treatment techniques demonstrated at laboratory, pilot, and industrial scales, and their associated treatment mechanisms. Insufficient data on pilot-scale and full-scale applications for PFAS remediation has limited the optimization and advancement of these systems at a large scale. Most research related to PFAS-remediation is based on laboratory-scale studies under ideal conditions that do not represent the complexity of PFAS-contaminated media. Factors such as inhibition by competing background compounds and secondary water or air pollution limit the application of some PFAS removal techniques at full-scale. Additionally, high energy intensity, cost, and inappropriate reactor design restrict the scalability of some proposed innovations. Here, we propose integrated systems and treatment trains as potential approaches to effectively remove and destroy PFAS from contaminated waters. This review also offers and contextualizes implementation barriers and scalable approaches for PFAS treatment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00457-3 |
| spellingShingle | C. S. Tshangana S. T. Nhlengethwa S. Glass S. Denison A. T. Kuvarega T. T. I. Nkambule B. B. Mamba Pedro J. J. Alvarez A. A. Muleja Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application npj Clean Water |
| title | Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application |
| title_full | Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application |
| title_fullStr | Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application |
| title_full_unstemmed | Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application |
| title_short | Technology status to treat PFAS-contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full-scale application |
| title_sort | technology status to treat pfas contaminated water and limiting factors for their effective full scale application |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00457-3 |
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