Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) uptake by willow plants and effects on photosynthesis

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the ability of willow to remove PFASs (PFBS, PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFUnA) from the growth medium through LC-MS-MS analysis of the nutrient solution during a one-week experiment, and to study the effects of PFASs on this species through measurements of photosynthetic parameters at the end of the trial. Results of analysis of the nutrient solutions reveal a declining concentration of all the analysed PFASs, suggesting that they were taken up or were adsorbed by the roots, and with different effciency depending upon the compound chain length and functional group. Regarding the effects of the willow plants exposure to PFASs, analysis of photosynthetic parameters reveals that these pollutants seem to exert a positive effect on photosynthesis, so suggesting that willow species can be good candidates for phytoremediation of PFASs. However, further analysis are needed to clarify the results obtained and to verify the effects of these pollutants in long-term experiments.