Perflourooctane sulfonate in soil–plant systems in Africa: occurrence and ecological risks

作者：Bonface Oginga, Fredrick Owino Gudda, Abdelrahman Ibrahim, Zekai Li, Tatiana Minkina, Chao Qin, Yanzheng Gao · 发表于：New Contaminants · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.48130/newcontam-0025-0015 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research、Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals、Environmental Chemistry and Analysis

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), with bio-accumulative and toxic properties, has been detected in various environmental matrices. In Africa, industrialization and agricultural yields are respectively projected to increase by 16% and 23% by 2043. This will further increase PFOS pollution risks, yet there is limited research in this domain to quantify its potential health risks. Since the soil–plant system is a critical pathway for PFOS to cause health risks, it is important to investigate the fate and transfer of PFOS in the system. This review synthesizes evidence on PFOS occurrence in African soils and plants, uptake mechanisms, and ecological impacts. PFOS sources include industrial discharges, electronic wastes (e-waste), and wastewater irrigation. These soil levels, particularly in Ghana and South Africa, pose significant threats to human health via soil–plant translocation. Sewage sludge in Ghana was found to have high levels of PFOS (197 to over 200 ng/g dw), exceeding recommended levels set by other developed countries like the United Kingdom (46 ng/g dw). This specific sewage sludge poses a significant threat when applied to agricultural land. Soil data from 11 locations in Africa were retrieved, and sites in Africa, with the highest recorded soil concentration being 275.3 ng/g (Ghana). Hotspot countries include Ghana (275 ng/g) and South Africa (248.14 ng/g). In plants, six samples were retrieved and analyzed, with 29.33 ng/g (Kenya) being the highest concentration....