Project:
Phytoremediation for in situ treatment of agricultural soil and surface waters polluted with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – research on PFOS and PFOA as model compounds
Article author and Principal investigator of the PhytoPFAS Project:
Dr. Vladimir Beškoski
full professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry
Harmful compounds have been present in water, soil, plants, and numerous organisms for over 80 years, used across various industries. The story of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) begins with a common occurrence in science, yet it requires keen and careful observation. In the 1940s, while working on synthesizing new compounds, chemists at “DuPont” observed that certain compounds exhibited resistance to both water and oil, leading to the commercial patent of “Teflon.” These compounds, unprecedented in nature, found applications in numerous industries over the years, from waterproofing jackets and shoes to fire-fighting foams, coatings for food packaging, cosmetics, medicine, automotive, and telecommunication devices. However, PFAS compounds contain one of the strongest covalent bonds in nature (carbon-fluorine), rendering them highly resistant to biodegradation, presenting a significant challenge for their removal from the environment.
By the end of the last century, scientists had detected PFAS compounds in water, plants, food, blood, and breast milk. Pandora’s box has been opened, and in recent years, they have been found in water, soil, and numerous organisms. While their presence near manufacturing plants is unsurprising, PFAS have been detected even in remote regions such as the Arctic and Antarctica. Moreover, some studies indicate that exposure to PFAS compounds is associated with adverse health effects, including compromised immune responses, elevated cholesterol, thyroid hormone disruption, reduced birth weight, and more. Consequently, the use of these compounds is increasingly restricted, with maximum allowable concentrations being prescribed in food and water. PFAS compounds pose a global challenge, as evidenced by the Hollywood film “Dark Waters,” which depicts the legal battle of attorney Robert Bilott against “DuPont.”
Given the significant environmental concern posed by PFAS, a group of scientists from Serbia has come together to develop innovative strategies to address the presence of PFAS compounds in the environment. The PhytoPFAS project team, funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, is multidisciplinary, comprising fifteen researchers from the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and physical chemistry from four academic institutions at the University of Belgrade: the Faculty of Chemistry, the Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, the Faculty of Physical Chemistry, and the Faculty of Medicine.
The main goal of the PhytoPFAS project is to develop the use of plants (phytoremediation) for cleaning up contaminated environments and establish a solid foundation for the application of this technology in collaboration with industry. The PhytoPFAS team will investigate the possibility of plant uptake of PFAS compounds using various plant species in soil and hydroponic systems. After selecting the most efficient species, plants will be tested at laboratory and pilot scales. Commercial application of the developed technology is then planned. Phytoremediation can be applied to remediate existing pollution and prevent new contamination. The broader population and industry will benefit from phytoremediation, as it will contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment, as well as more efficient use of natural resources and waste reduction.
Researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Belgrade are also coordinating another significant project related to PFAS compounds, PFAStwin, funded by the European Research Executive Agency, which aims to strengthen Serbia’s capacities for the analytics and bioremediation of PFAS compounds.
Program
Green Program of Cooperation between Science and Industry
Project budget
EUR 174,158.59
Scientific and research organizations:
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry
- University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Physical Chemistry
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Medicine
Team members
- Dr. Goran Roglić, Full Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry
- Dr. Branimir Jovančićević, Full Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry
- Dr. LjuboDr.ag Vujisić, Associate Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry
- Dr. Marija Lješević, Scientific Associate, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- Dr. Branka Lončarević, Scientific Associate, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- Dr. Gordana Gojgić Cvijović, Scientific Advisor, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- Dr. Nikoleta Lugonja, Higher Scientific Associate, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- Dr. Kristina Joksimović, Scientific Associate, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- Kristina Kasalica, PhD student, University of Belgrade-Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy
- Dr. Dragomir Stanisavljev, Full Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Physical Chemistry
- Dr. Itana Nuša Bubanja, Scientific Associate, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Physical Chemistry
- Dr. Ivanka Karadžić, Full Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Medicine
- Dr. Lidija Izrael Zivković, Associate Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Medicine
- Dr. Ana Medić, Assistant Professor, University of Belgrade-Faculty of Medicine