Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) consist of a group of environmentally persistent, toxic and bio-accumulative organic compounds of industrial origin that are widely present in water and wastewater. Despite restricted use due to current regulations on their use, perfluorooctanoic...

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Main Author: Muhammad Umar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-11-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/22/3185
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author Muhammad Umar
author_facet Muhammad Umar
author_sort Muhammad Umar
collection DOAJ
description Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) consist of a group of environmentally persistent, toxic and bio-accumulative organic compounds of industrial origin that are widely present in water and wastewater. Despite restricted use due to current regulations on their use, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) remain the most commonly detected long-chain PFAS. This article reviews UV-based oxidative and reductive studies for the degradation of PFAS. Most of the UV-based processes studied at lab-scale include low pressure mercury lamps (emitting at 254 and 185 nm) with some studies using medium pressure mercury lamps (200–400 nm). A critical evaluation of the findings is made considering the degradation of PFAS, the impact of water quality conditions (pH, background ions, organics), types of oxidizing/reducing species, and source of irradiation with emphasis given to mechanisms of degradation and reaction by-products. Research gaps related to understanding of the factors influencing oxidative and reductive defluorination, impact of co-existing ions from the perspective of complexation with PFAS, and post-treatment toxicity are highlighted. The review also provides an overview of future perspectives regarding the challenges in relation to the current knowledge gaps, and future needs.
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spelling doaj.art-09c7c0c1989f4c1da228cf14445bcef82023-11-23T01:59:41ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412021-11-011322318510.3390/w13223185Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future PerspectivesMuhammad Umar0Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Økernveien 94, NO 0579 Oslo, NorwayPerfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) consist of a group of environmentally persistent, toxic and bio-accumulative organic compounds of industrial origin that are widely present in water and wastewater. Despite restricted use due to current regulations on their use, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) remain the most commonly detected long-chain PFAS. This article reviews UV-based oxidative and reductive studies for the degradation of PFAS. Most of the UV-based processes studied at lab-scale include low pressure mercury lamps (emitting at 254 and 185 nm) with some studies using medium pressure mercury lamps (200–400 nm). A critical evaluation of the findings is made considering the degradation of PFAS, the impact of water quality conditions (pH, background ions, organics), types of oxidizing/reducing species, and source of irradiation with emphasis given to mechanisms of degradation and reaction by-products. Research gaps related to understanding of the factors influencing oxidative and reductive defluorination, impact of co-existing ions from the perspective of complexation with PFAS, and post-treatment toxicity are highlighted. The review also provides an overview of future perspectives regarding the challenges in relation to the current knowledge gaps, and future needs.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/22/3185PFASUVVUVoxidationreductionwater
spellingShingle Muhammad Umar
Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives
Water
PFAS
UV
VUV
oxidation
reduction
water
title Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives
title_full Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives
title_fullStr Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives
title_short Reductive and Oxidative UV Degradation of PFAS—Status, Needs and Future Perspectives
title_sort reductive and oxidative uv degradation of pfas status needs and future perspectives
topic PFAS
UV
VUV
oxidation
reduction
water
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/22/3185
work_keys_str_mv AT muhammadumar reductiveandoxidativeuvdegradationofpfasstatusneedsandfutureperspectives