Linking Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals to PFAS Precursor Transformation in the Environment
Faculty Mentor
Jianzhou He
Location
Russell Union 2080
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics
Abstract
In environmental systems, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) precursors can undergo abiotic and biotic transformation into highly persistent perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), often referred to as terminal PFAS, yet the dominant environmental drivers of these transformations remain poorly understood. As Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are long-lived and stabilized on or within particulate surfaces, they can facilitate the transformation of PFAS precursors into PFAA by facilitating electron transfer or the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Synthesizing findings from over 300 studies, this review paper provides a comprehensive understanding of EPFRs' sources and formation pathways, ROS levels in different environmental matrices, and transformation pathways of PFAS precursors by EPFR-generated ROS in the environment. Across sediments, suspended solids, minerals, biochar, and airborne particulate matter, EPFR formation and redox cycling are repeatedly linked to ROS production, including •OH, O2•−, H2O2, and ¹O2. They can convert multiple precursor groups into shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and other terminal PFAA, but transformation rates and intermediate products are not consistently measured. Our findings suggest that EPFR-mediated ROS provides a critical, cross-media explanation for the unidentified PFAS pools observed at contaminated sites. Future work should prioritize quantifying transformation rates, identifying intermediates, standardizing EPFR or ROS measurements, connecting lab kinetics with field studies, and developing predictive models.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 11:15 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 11:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Moin, Tanvir Siddike; Pokharel, Ayush; Okeke, Deborah Ogochukwu; and He, Jianzhou, "Linking Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals to PFAS Precursor Transformation in the Environment" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 117.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/117
Linking Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals to PFAS Precursor Transformation in the Environment
Russell Union 2080
In environmental systems, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) precursors can undergo abiotic and biotic transformation into highly persistent perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), often referred to as terminal PFAS, yet the dominant environmental drivers of these transformations remain poorly understood. As Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are long-lived and stabilized on or within particulate surfaces, they can facilitate the transformation of PFAS precursors into PFAA by facilitating electron transfer or the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Synthesizing findings from over 300 studies, this review paper provides a comprehensive understanding of EPFRs' sources and formation pathways, ROS levels in different environmental matrices, and transformation pathways of PFAS precursors by EPFR-generated ROS in the environment. Across sediments, suspended solids, minerals, biochar, and airborne particulate matter, EPFR formation and redox cycling are repeatedly linked to ROS production, including •OH, O2•−, H2O2, and ¹O2. They can convert multiple precursor groups into shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and other terminal PFAA, but transformation rates and intermediate products are not consistently measured. Our findings suggest that EPFR-mediated ROS provides a critical, cross-media explanation for the unidentified PFAS pools observed at contaminated sites. Future work should prioritize quantifying transformation rates, identifying intermediates, standardizing EPFR or ROS measurements, connecting lab kinetics with field studies, and developing predictive models.
