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Applied Sciences
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PFAS Removal: Challenges and Solutions
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PFAS Removal: Challenges and Solutions

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 918

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tarek Rouissi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute of Scientific Research of Quebec (INRS), Quebec City, QC G1P 4S5, Canada
Interests: environmental science; bioprocess and process engineering; material science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Selma Etteieb

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Technological Center for Industrial Residues of Quebec, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 0E1, Canada
Interests: environmental science; bioprocess and process engineering; emerging contaminants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Moncef Chouaibi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Higher School of Food Industries, Elkhadra City 1003, Tunisia
Interests: food process engineering; waste valorization; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are among the most concerning environmental contaminants today. Recent studies have demonstrated their widespread presence in various ecosystems, including water, soil, rivers, and oceans, across numerous countries. These chemicals have been linked to significant harm to animals, plants, and human health. Addressing the challenges posed by PFASs requires advanced research to fully understand their impacts and to develop effective solutions for remediation.

This topic invites a diverse range of articles focused on PFAS removal technologies, encompassing physical, chemical, and biological processes. Contributions exploring the environmental impacts of PFASs are equally encouraged. Comprehensive review articles that provide insights into current knowledge and future directions in PFAS research are also welcome.

Dr. Tarek Rouissi
Dr. Selma Etteieb
Prof. Dr. Moncef Chouaibi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • PFASs
  • biological processes
  • PFAS removal technologies
  • environmental contaminants

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 4260 KB  
Article
Investigation of In Situ Strategy Based on Zn/Al-Layered Double Hydroxides for Enhanced PFOA Removal: Adsorption Mechanism and Fluoride Effect
by Yafan Wang, Yusuf Olalekan Zubair and Chiharu Tokoro
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 13064; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152413064 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 87
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination poses serious environmental risks due to its persistence and mobility. Conventional ex situ method using preformed layered double hydroxides (LDHs) shows limited performance, particularly under complex leachate conditions. This study developed an effective in situ Zn/Al LDH strategy for [...] Read more.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination poses serious environmental risks due to its persistence and mobility. Conventional ex situ method using preformed layered double hydroxides (LDHs) shows limited performance, particularly under complex leachate conditions. This study developed an effective in situ Zn/Al LDH strategy for enhanced PFOA removal. Batch experiments, solid-phase characterization, and theoretical simulations were conducted to elucidate the adsorption mechanism and the effect of fluoride ion (F−). The results demonstrated that the in situ method exhibited superior performance in the presence of fluoride, achieving a PFOA adsorption density of up to 54.93 mmol/mol-Al, which is significantly higher than that of the ex situ method (26.76 mmol/mol-Al). Unlike the competitive adsorption observed in the ex situ method, the in situ process relies on synergistic mechanisms: F− participates in LDH formation as an interlayer anion and coordinates with Zn2+ and Al3+ to regulate LDH growth, thereby optimizing the surface chemical environment for PFOA capture. Molecular dynamics (MDs) and density functional theory (DFT) further showed that preferentially adsorbed F− affects hydrogen-bond networks and stabilizes PFOA through inner and outer sphere complexation. Overall, these findings clarify the fluoride-regulated adsorption mechanism and demonstrate the potential of in situ LDH coprecipitation for PFAS remediation in leachates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PFAS Removal: Challenges and Solutions)
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17 pages, 1576 KB  
Article
Assessment of the Possible Inhibitory Effect of PFAS-Containing Aqueous Wastes on Aerobic Biomasses
by Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Roberta Pedrazzani, Stefano Bellazzi, Giorgia Grecchi, Marco Baldi, Alessandro Abbà and Giorgio Bertanza
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10448; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910448 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic organofluorine compounds widely used since the 1940s due to their chemical and thermal stability. However, growing concerns about their environmental and human health risks have emerged. Although the toxicity of PFASs to [...] Read more.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic organofluorine compounds widely used since the 1940s due to their chemical and thermal stability. However, growing concerns about their environmental and human health risks have emerged. Although the toxicity of PFASs to humans has been extensively researched, their effects on microbial consortia in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have not been as thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates whether aqueous wastes (AWs) containing PFASs inhibit aerobic biomasses from various WWTPs. Approximately 400 respirometric tests showed no acute toxicity. However, biomass tolerance varied based on acclimatization. Biomass from a municipal WWTP was more tolerant to AWs with short-chain PFASs, whereas biomass from a WWTP authorized to receive AWs was less inhibited by AWs rich in long-chain PFASs. These findings highlight the potential role of municipal WWTPs in treating PFAS-contaminated AWs and emphasize the need for tailored treatment strategies to minimize environmental risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PFAS Removal: Challenges and Solutions)
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