Phytoremediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Insights on plant uptake, omics analysis, contaminant detection and biomass disposal

The unique properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have driven their pervasive use in different industrial applications, leading to substantial environmental pollution and raising critical concerns about the long-term impacts on ecosystem and human health. To tackle the global challenge of PFAS contamination, there is an urgent need for sustainable and efficient remediation strategies. Phytoremediation has emerged as a promising eco-friendly approach with the potential to mitigate the spread of these persistent contaminants. However, addressing this complex issue requires interdisciplinary cutting-edge research to develop comprehensive and scalable solutions for effective PFAS management. This review highlights recent advancements in the detection, quantification, and monitoring of PFAS uptake by plants, providing a detailed description of PFAS accumulation in several plant species. Besides, the physiological and molecular responses elicited by these pollutants are described. Leveraging omic technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, provides unprecedented insights into the plant-PFAS interaction. Novel approaches based on artificial intelligence to predict this interaction and up to date disposal and valorization methods for PFAS-contaminated plant biomass, are discussed here. This review offers an interdisciplinary approach to explore what has been discovered so far about PFAS phytoremediation, covering the entire process from contaminant uptake to sustainable disposal, providing a roadmap for future research.