Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been manufactured and used in various industries since the 1940s. These persistent chemicals do not break down naturally in the environment, meaning they can accumulate over time in water, soil, air, and living organisms. Where PFAS has reached farmland, this is due to the application of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) and industrial waste to farm fields, as well as through contaminated water sources used for irrigation. For farmers with PFAS-contaminated land, understanding and managing this issue is important: when PFAS are present in soil, they can be taken up by crops and forage. This contamination may lead to health and economic concerns, and farmers can face questions about their products, or whether they can continue to farm their land. The evolving landscape of PFAS contamination levels, regulatory standards, and remediation options creates a need for ongoing research and support for farming families who may have been affected by contamination from external sources.
This article discusses how “forever chemicals” known as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) move from soil into three different plants—lettuce, tall fescue grass, and tomatoes. The researchers measured bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for each plant species, plant part (roots vs above-ground), and type of PFAS compound. The study also tested intercropping as a strategy to alter uptake. Findings indicate that uptake varied depending on the crop, the plant part, and the specific PFAS type.
Highlights from the article include:
- Across edible portions, tall fescue had the highest bioconcentration factors, except for elevated PFBA detected in tomato fruits.
- Short-chain compounds moved aboveground while long-chain compounds tended to stay belowground.
- Intercropping altered uptake of highly mobile only PFBA in the roots of all crops and in tomato fruits.
- Bioconcentration factors of crops reported by this study conducted in potting mix were lower than most bioconcentration factors reported by other literature citing hydroponic and field studies.
