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Revolutionary Bacteria Discovered That Can Consume 'Forever Chemicals'—Transforming Toxic Waste into Harmless Substances!
2025-01-27
Author: John Tan
Breakthrough in Environmental Science
In an extraordinary breakthrough for environmental science, researchers have unveiled a specific strain of bacteria that can devour notorious "forever chemicals," also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals have gained a reputation as persistent pollutants, eluding degradation and accumulating in ecosystems for decades.
Labrys portucalensis F11: The Bacterial Hero
Traditionally, efforts to manage PFAS have focused on trapping these harmful substances rather than dismantling them. Enter Labrys portucalensis F11, the bacterial hero identified by a team from the University at Buffalo (UB) that can effectively break down at least three different PFAS variants, along with some of their most toxic byproducts.
Study Findings
In a study recently published in *Science of the Total Environment*, the research team demonstrated that F11 is capable of metabolizing over 90% of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) within a 100-day exposure. PFOS—classified as hazardous by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—represents one of the most commonly encountered and stable forms of PFAS.
But that’s not all! This remarkable strain of bacteria also degraded significant amounts of two other types of PFAS: 58% of 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid and 21% of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate within the same timeframe. “The bond between carbon and fluorine in PFAS is incredibly resilient, making it difficult for most microbes to utilize it,” said Diana Aga, the lead author of the study and a distinguished professor at UB. “However, F11 has evolved the unique capability to detach fluorine and utilize carbon for its growth.”
Toxic Byproducts and Further Degradation
In a significant departure from previous research, the study conducted by Aga and her team considered the breakdown products formed during the degradation process. F11 not only broke down PFAS but also effectively removed fluorine from these metabolites, decreasing their concentration to negligible levels in certain instances.
The team’s findings highlight a critical advancement in our understanding of microbial degradation of these stubborn compounds. “While many studies have documented PFAS breakdown, they often overlook the toxic byproducts,” noted Mindula Wijayahena, a PhD student involved in the research. “Our approach allowed us to track these transformations and demonstrate that F11 is capable of further degrading toxic metabolites.”
Potential for Bioremediation
This transformative research, supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and in collaboration with partners at the Catholic University of Portugal and the University of Pittsburgh, could lead to novel bioremediation strategies to combat PFAS pollution globally. A growing concern due to their widespread application in everyday products, from nonstick cookware to firefighting foam, PFAS have been linked to serious health implications, including cancer and immune system disruptions.
Isolated from Contaminated Soil
Interestingly, F11 was isolated from contaminated soil at an industrial site in Portugal and had previously shown the ability to strip fluorine from pharmaceutical contaminants—though this is the first time it has been tested on PFAS. Researchers cultivated F11 in a carbon-scarce environment with high PFAS concentrations, allowing the bacteria to thrive and thrive it did! Analysis revealed substantial reductions in PFAS levels.
Measuring Success
In an exciting twist, the increase in fluoride levels confirmed that F11 successfully detached fluorine atoms, thus rendering PFAS components more manageable for metabolism. “Breaking the carbon-fluorine bond is crucial for degrading PFAS,” stressed Wijayahena. “F11 not only reduces PFOS into smaller fragments but also effectively removes the fluorine from these fragments.”
Although some of the resulting metabolites still contained fluorine, F11 achieved the impressive feat of removing fluorine from three PFOS metabolites after 194 days of exposure.
Need for Ongoing Research
However, scientists caution that there may exist even smaller and undetectable metabolites resulting from this degradation process, stressing the need for ongoing research to fully understand and harness the potential of this remarkable bacterial strain.
Conclusion
As concerns escalate over PFAS contamination and its impact on public health, this groundbreaking discovery paves the way for innovations in ecological remediation, presenting hope for a future where “forever chemicals” are nothing more than a distant memory.