Biodegradation of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) as an emerging contaminant

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 109; pp. 221 - 225
• Main Authors: Kwon, Bum Gun, Lim, Hye-Jung, Na, Suk-Hyun, Choi, Bong-In, Shin, Dong-Soo, Chung, Seon-Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alkanesulfonic Acids - chemistry; Alkanesulfonic Acids - metabolism; Bioaccumulation; Biodegradation; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Environment and pollution; Environmental Pollutants - chemistry; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Fluorocarbons - chemistry; Fluorocarbons - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Perfluorooctanesulfonate; Persistence; PFOS; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - growth & development; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - isolation & purification; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - metabolism; Sewage - microbiology; Temperature; Persistence; Biodegradation; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Bioaccumulation; Perfluorooctanesulfonate; PFOS; Pseudomonadales; Temperature effect; Identification; Sewage sludge; Persistent organic pollutant; pH; Bacteria; Pseudomonadaceae; Perfluorooctane sulfonate; Gram negative bacteria; Detergent; Organic perhalocompound; Pollutant behavior; Aerobe; Operating conditions; Anionic surfactant; Soils; Emerging pollutant; Isolation; Fluorine Organic compounds; Biological accumulation; Enzymatic reaction
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.01.072

•We have identified the aerobic microorganism for the decomposition of PFOS.•Ca. 67% of a 600mgL−1 conc. of PFOS was biodegraded by Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 12h.•Our result is considered a major advancement in sustainable PFOS treatment. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is a compound of global concern because of its persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment. Nevertheless, little is known of the potential for PFOS biodegradation, even though the importance of characterizing the function and activity of microbial populations detected in the environment has been discussed. This study focused on the biodegradation of PFOS by a specific microorganism. Through this study, we have identified the aerobic microorganism for the specific decomposition of PFOS from wastewater treatment sludge, as a well-known sink for environmental PFOS. This species was Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain HJ4 with a 99% similarity, a mesophilic rod type bacteria (30–37°C). A pH range of 7–9 was determined to be optimal for the growth of strain HJ4. In this study approximately 67% over a range of concentrations (1400–1800μgL−1) for PFOS was biologically decomposed by P. aeruginosa after 48h incubation. This result is reported here for the first time, which strongly pertains to the efficient biodegradation of PFOS. Therefore, our study is considered a major advancement in sustainable PFOS treatment.