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Abstract

Vegetation that is grown on land contaminated by Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) will bioaccumulate the contaminant at levels that can cause adverse health effects once consumed by humans. Many groups and government authorities have begun to put restrictions on the application of PFAS, specifically long-chain PFAS (chain length greater than 7 carbons). Phytoremediation is a promising method to absorb PFAS from the soil to be stored in the plant. Soil properties, PFAS chain length, and plant type are all variables that influence the rate of PFAS uptake and storage by plants. Phytoremediation absorbs larger concentrations of short-chain PFAS than long-chain PFAS due to its decreased hydrophobicity and increased mobility. Plants with increased foliage compartments are ideal for this method. Lower organic soil content and increased soil salinity contribute to more uptake. The growing season of plants also contributes to increased uptake. The pH of soil does not have consistent data on whether it increases or decreases PFAS uptake and should be further studied. Plants with larger periods of biomass growth and higher lipid and protein content increase PFAS uptake. Once in the plant most of the PFAS is stored in the vegetative compartments. PFAS absorbed from contaminated land is then stored in these above-ground plant compartments and can be removed from the contaminated site and disposed of.

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