6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA, F(CF2)6CH2CH2SO3H) is one of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances commonly detected in the environment. It has been widely used in many industries including metal plating, plastics, and fluoropolymers manufacturing, and present in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). Exposure to 6:2 FTSA has been linked to liver and kidney damage in rat studies. Despite biotransformation of 6:2 FTSA has been reported, 6:2 FTSA is persistent in the environment, and its concentration was even higher than the concentrations of legacy long-chain PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) in certain AFFF-impacted sites. However, the remediation methods of 6:2 FTSA is poorly understood. This study investigated the potential of phytoremediation by A. thaliana and bioaugmentation of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1on the bioremediation of 6:2 FTSA in soil. Our result showed that the seeding growth and development of A. thaliana was not inhibited by the environmental related concentration of 6:2 FTSA (1.5 mg/kg). Hyperaccumulation of 6:2 FTSA, defined as tissue/soil concentration &gt; 10, was found. The biotransformation of 6:2 FTSA was only observed in sulfur-limited soil but not sulfur-rich soil. Bioaugmentation of RHA1 promote the biotransformation of 6:2 FTSA along with the detection several transformation products. Overall, the results of this study provide a new strategy for future development of 6:2 FTSA bioremediation.

Phytoremediation coupled with bioaugmentation process for the removal of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA) from soil

ACS Spring 2022

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