Cited by 180Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchFluorine in Organic ChemistryPesticide and Herbicide Environmental Studies

Fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the vadose zone

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Sharifan, Hamidreza, Bagheri, Majid, Wang, Dan, Burken, Joel G., Higgins, Christopher P., Liang, Yanna, Liu, Jinxia, Schaefer, Charles E. +1 more·2021·Science of The Total Environment

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a heterogeneous group of persistent organic pollutants that have been detected in various environmental compartments around the globe. Emerging research has revealed the preferential accumulation of PFASs in shallow soil horizons, particularly at sites impacted by firefighting activities, agricultural applications, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the vadose zone, PFASs can sorb to soil, accumulate at interfaces, become volatilized, be taken up in biota, or leach to the underlying aquifer. At the same time, polyfluorinated precursor species may transform into highly recalcitrant perfluoroalkyl acids, changing their chemical identity and thus transport behavior along the way. In this review, we critically discuss the current state of the knowledge and aim to interconnect the complex processes that control the fate and transport of PFASs in the vadose zone. Furthermore, we identify key challenges and future research needs. Consequently, this review may serve as an interdisciplinary guide for the risk assessment and management of PFAS-contaminated sites.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145427

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235 of 235 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Sharifan, H., Bagheri, M., Wang, D., Burken, J. G., Higgins, C. P., Liang, Y., Liu, J., Schaefer, C. E., & Blotevogel, J.
Affiliations
  • Colorado State University (US)
  • Missouri University of Science and Technology (US)
  • McGill University (CA)
  • Colorado School of Mines (US)
  • University at Albany, State University of New York (US)
  • CDM Smith (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Blotevogel, Jens
Venue
Science of The Total Environment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-06
Volume
771
Pages
145427
ISSN
0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3124974648
Cited by
180
References
237
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 15
FWCI
1.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Science of The Total Environment (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
  • National Science Foundation
  • Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
  • University at Albany
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pesticide and Herbicide Environmental Studies
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS fate and transport, vadose zone, soil sorption, volatilization, perfluoroalkyl acids, atmospheric deposition

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