Innovative Approaches to PFAS Remediation: Non-Destructive and Destructive Technologies

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 14,000 manmade chemicals characterized by at least one fully fluorinated alkyl moiety (CF2) with varying chain lengths. Due to their unique properties such as hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, and thermal stability, PFAS have been extensively used in various commercial products and industrial applications, including nonstick cookware, textiles, food packaging, and firefighting foams. However, PFAS have recently raised global concerns due to their ubiquity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity to human health and the environment. Exposure to PFAS, even at very low concentrations, has been linked to numerous adverse health effects, including endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental toxicity, brain toxicity, and kidney cancer. These substances have been detected in all environmental media, including air, water, soil, and sediment. The remediation of PFAS is particularly challenging due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond, one of the strongest in nature. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently issued regulations for several high-priority PFAS compounds in drinking water, underscoring the urgent need for cost-effective and efficient remediation technologies.



This research topic aims to solicit recent research and demonstration advancements on the remediation of PFAS in the environment, including both conventional PFAS and emerging PFAS compounds, such as parent compounds or precursors. The goal is to explore both non-destructive and destructive remediation technologies. Non-destructive approaches include sorption (using granular activated carbon, biochar, polymers, etc.), ion resin exchange, and nanofiltration. Destructive technologies encompass thermal and hydrothermal treatments, supercritical water oxidation, electrochemical oxidation and reduction, advanced oxidation and reduction processes, photocatalysis, and biological processes involving microorganisms and enzymes. The integration of different non-destructive and destructive technologies into treatment train systems is particularly desirable, as these coupled systems can achieve more efficient and comprehensive destruction of PFAS with varying structures. Optimizing the operational parameters of these treatment modules is essential for enhancing the performance of PFAS remediation. Contributions from laboratory, pilot, and field-scale studies, as well as data analysis and prediction using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), are highly encouraged.



To gather further insights into the boundaries of PFAS remediation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:


- Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis related to PFAS remediation.

- Environmental behaviors of PFAS that impact remediation considerations, such as transport and transformation of PFAS precursors.

- Methods used in assessment and design of PFAS remediation process, such as sensors and toxicity assessment.

- Development and optimization of non-destructive PFAS remediation technologies

- Advances in destructive PFAS remediation methods

- Integration and performance tuning of treatment train technologies

- Laboratory, pilot, and field-scale treatment and demonstration studies

- Data analysis and predictive modeling using AI/ML for PFAS remediation

- Case studies on the application of PFAS remediation technologies

- Reviews of current PFAS remediation strategies and future directions



Submissions should present novel insights, methodologies, data analytics, or applications relevant to these themes. Manuscripts must adhere to the formatting and submission guidelines provided by Frontiers in Environmental Engineering. Please direct any topic-related questions to the editors.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Pollution Remediation, Technology Environment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.