Biodegradation of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid by a marine microalga Chaetoceros calcitrans MZB-1: kinetic analysis, removal pathways, and effects of environmental factors.
Li W, Meng F, Sun W
Phytoremediation
PFAS 'forever chemicals' from non-stick cookware, food packaging, and industrial runoff are now detected in farmland soil and irrigation water worldwide, meaning they can enter the vegetables and fruits we grow and eat — and this algae offers a potential nature-based tool to clean them up.
Scientists found that a microscopic ocean algae can slowly break down 'forever chemicals' — the stubborn toxic substances found in non-stick pans, waterproof gear, and firefighting foam that normally never go away. In a 15-day experiment, the algae chipped away at roughly a quarter to a third of these chemicals in the water. While it's not a complete solution yet, it's an exciting step toward using living organisms to clean up contaminated water naturally.
Key Findings
The marine diatom removed 24.65% of PFOA and 29.35% of PFOS from water at an initial concentration of 100 μg/L within 15 days
Degradation followed first-order kinetics with rate constants of 0.014–0.019 per day, providing a predictable, modelable cleanup rate
Environmental conditions such as light, temperature, and nutrient levels significantly influenced removal efficiency, pointing to optimization opportunities
chevron_right Technical Summary
A marine microalga called Chaetoceros calcitrans can partially break down PFOA and PFOS — two notorious 'forever chemicals' that persist in soil and water — removing up to 29% within 15 days. This is one of the first studies to show algae can degrade PFAS at concentrations found in real-world environments.
Abstract Preview
This study investigated the removal efficiency and pathways of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) at environmentally relevant concentrations by marine diatom Chae...
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