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Investigating Long-Distance Transport of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Wheat via a Split-Root Exposure Technique
Published on: September 28, 2022
Decades-long distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in global surface waters: Spatiotemporal
Zu-Lin Hua1, Chang Gao2, Peng Guo2
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
Abstract:
The widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment has raised serious concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Surface waters, as key transport media, play a vital role in PFAS distribution, yet global long-term trends remain unclear. This review analyzed PFAS concentration data from 17,386 sites worldwide, covering 416 studies across rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans in four stages (2000-2009, 2010-2015, 2016-2019, and 2020-2024). We also forecast PFAS trends for the next decade using an improved heterogeneous stacked feature booster (HSFB) model. The results revealed that PFAS concentrations increased rapidly in Asia, where PFOA-related compounds remained important and novel substitutes (NSs) were increasingly detected. In Europe and parts of North America, some legacy PFASs declined following regulatory restrictions, whereas short-chain PFASs and NSs showed increasing contributions. In South America, Africa, and Oceania, available data remain limited, but legacy PFASs still contributed substantially in several regions, indicating the need for enhanced monitoring. In marine environments, elevated PFAS levels were mainly observed in marginal seas affected by riverine inputs, coastal urbanization, and industrial activities. Substitution signals varied among oceans and marginal seas. PFOA and PFOS were replaced by short-chain PFASs, and NSs for PFOS were universal in several marginal seas. Predictive modeling indicates a continued global decline in legacy PFASs and a marked rise in NSs over the next decade. These findings reveal shifting PFAS contamination patterns, emphasizing the importance of sustained monitoring, regulatory adaptation, and proactive management to mitigate future environmental risks.
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