Incidence of pollution, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic ecosystems: A review

Aquatic Toxicology
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Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistently accumulated in both environmental media and biological systems, leading to significant toxicological effects. Although research on PFAS has expanded in recent years, systematic reviews on its concentration distribution in aquatic environments and biota, as well as its toxicological effects, remain scarce. Moreover, existing literature lacks systematic analyses of diverse aquatic environments and organisms. This review investigates the contamination levels of PFAS in aquatic environments. It also provides a systematic analysis of bioaccumulation in planktonic, swimming, and benthic organisms, including bioaccumulation factors (BAF), biomagnification factors (BMF), trophic magnification factors (TMF), and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAF), and evaluates the potential toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to provide theoretical support for the environmental regulation and management of PFAS. Additionally, it seeks to offer data references and potential research directions for future studies, thereby promoting the advancement of PFAS-related research and policy development.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Incidence of pollution, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic ecosystems: A review
Series title Aquatic Toxicology
DOI 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107469
Volume 286
Publication Date July 04, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center
Description 107469, 13 p.
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