Abstract:

The fluorocarbon chains of PFAS （per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances） are highly chemically inert. With the increasing awareness of protection of environment and health, the extensive use of PFAS has aroused public concern. PFAS are irreplaceable in many application fields, especially in the cases of high-tech applications or harsh conditions. Therefore, the most active coping strategy should be to explore feasible treatment methods. Compared with physical or chemical treatment, biodegradation is advantageous in convenient applied conditions and being energy-saving and cost-effective. However, up to now, no microorganisms have been found to be qualified to “effectively” degrade PFAS, i.e., to completely break down PFAS in a satisfactory range of time by destroying the C-F bonds. It means that a desired species of microorganisms must meet the dual requirements of degradation degree and degradation efficiency. Herein, we have discussed whether microorganisms, that can effectively break down the fluorocarbon chain, could appear in the natural environment, as well as the strategies that can be adopted to simulate this process in laboratory. Some evidence of the microbial degradation of PFAS has also been listed. In the future, it is expected that human beings can develop and cultivate microbial species that can effectively break down fluorocarbon chains.

Key words: PFAS, PFOS, environmental protection, biodegradation, microbe, bacteria, POPs