Work

Soil Amendment with Biochar Reduces the Uptake and Translocation of Perfluoroalkyl Substances by Horticultural Plants Grown in a Polluted Area

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Diffuse environmental pollution by perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can impact human health through drinking water and by the ingestion of contaminated agri-food, as plants can take up PFAS from polluted soils or irrigation waters. While the treatment of drinking water by active carbon filters can effectively reduce PFAS concentration to safe levels, there are no practical and sustainable treatments for limiting PFAS transfer from polluted irrigation water or soils to crops, which can become a significant source of human exposure in PFAS-polluted areas. We tested the potential of biochar, the by-product of biomass pyrolysis, to prevent PFAS uptake by tomato and red chicory plants cultivated in a PFAS-contaminated area. Tomato plants grown in biochar-amended soil showed a significant reduction of perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the leaves (-70%, -45%, and -84%, respectively), and of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) in the fruits (-61%), compared to plants cultivated in unamended soil. Leaves of red chicory plants grown in biochar-amended soil accumulated -74% perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) in the early growth stage, and -34% PFBA at maturity. The presented results indicated a potential for soil amendment with biochar in reducing the PFAS uptake by horticultural crops and can improve our understanding of the PFAS transfer from soil to plants. Globally, these results suggest that biochar amendment could represent an effective operational safety measure for mitigating the risks in PFAS-polluted areas, with potential implications for public health policy.

Source: Soil Systems

DOI: 10.3390/soilsystems9030100

Authors: Ilaria Battisti, Anna Rita Trentin, Andrea Sabia, Antonio Masi, Giancarlo Renella

Institution: University of Padua

Language: English

Topic: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger, Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172