Summary
This study examined whether amending biosolids with drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs)—calcium, iron, or aluminium-rich byproducts—could reduce plant uptake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in two realistic agricultural and remediation scenarios. Calcium- and iron-enriched DWTRs showed promise in reducing specific PFAS compounds in plant tissue, with calcium-amended treatments significantly reducing PFBA uptake in ryegrass and PFHxA in tomatoes, potentially through pH elevation; however, aluminium-amended DWTRs did not produce significant reductions compared to controls.
UK applicability
The findings are applicable to UK agricultural practice where biosolids are land-applied and PFAS contamination is a concern, particularly given increasing regulatory scrutiny of PFAS in foodstuffs and water. The work supports beneficial reuse of DWTRs, a waste valorisation approach aligned with UK circular economy principles, though further work would be needed to validate outcomes under UK soil and climatic conditions.
Key measures
Plant tissue concentrations of perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA); soil PFAS mobility; soil pH changes; PFAS bioaccumulation in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass)
Outcomes reported
The study measured plant uptake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tomato and ryegrass grown in soil amended with biosolids that had been treated with different types of drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs). Key outcomes included quantification of specific PFAS compound bioaccumulation under agricultural and mine reclamation amendment scenarios.
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