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A critical review of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater biosolids and sludge
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Volume: 13, Issue: 6, Start page: 120422
Swansea University Authors:
USMAN ISMAIL, Chedly Tizaoui
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© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY license.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.jece.2025.120422
Abstract
Biosolids derived from wastewater treatment plants are commonly used as agricultural soil amendments. However, long-chain PFAS species tend to accumulate in these biosolids, raising environmental and human health concerns. USEPA risk assessment reveals that land application of sewage sludge containi...
| Published in: | Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering |
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| ISSN: | 2213-3437 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2025
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71032 |
| Abstract: |
Biosolids derived from wastewater treatment plants are commonly used as agricultural soil amendments. However, long-chain PFAS species tend to accumulate in these biosolids, raising environmental and human health concerns. USEPA risk assessment reveals that land application of sewage sludge containing 1 ppb PFOA or PFOS presents human health risk that is beyond the agency’s acceptable threshold for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects. Therefore, this review systematically examines the literature published on the occurrence, quantification, treatment, and management of PFAS in wastewater sludge and biosolids, utilizing science mapping and bibliometric analysis approaches. PFAS have been detected in sludge and biosolids across all inhabited continents, with the exception of South America where no studies have been published. PFOS is the most widely detected compound in biosolids whereas the concentration of 6:2 FTCA reached up to 22000 ng/g (dry weight) in an industrial wastewater sludge. This review also discusses PFAS treatment methods in biosolids and their operating conditions and degradation/removal mechanisms. Pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatments were the most widely studied. This is because they can remove PFAS from the solid residues while producing added-value products such as biochar/hydrochar. Additionally, mitigation approaches to minimize PFAS mobilization in the environment, including desorption from biosolids, enrichment, and stabilization techniques are discussed. Overall, significant advancements in PFAS management in sludge and biosolids were highlighted, along with the identification of challenges, limitations, and areas requiring further research to raise awareness about this topic, and to guide researchers in identifying future directions for enhanced PFAS treatment in wastewater biosolids. |
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| Keywords: |
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Biosolids; Hydrothermal treatment; Pyrolysis; PFAS stabilization; Desorption; Wastewater treatment |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Usman M. Ismail would like to thank Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) and Swansea University for supporting his PhD program. Usman would also like to thank the Faculty of Science and Engineering for offering him the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). |
| Issue: |
6 |
| Start Page: |
120422 |