Green solution for efficient removal of Per- and Poly- Fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and Pharmaceutical Compounds (PCs) in Aqueous Systems.

Micropollutants, including heavy metals, medicinal substances, per- and poly-alkyl fluorine substances, endocrine disruptors, and pesticides, have been detected in water bodies, leading to significant water contamination. Pharmaceutical compounds (PCs) are present in the environment and can be detected in water. As they are considered micropollutants due to their low concentrations in environmental matrices, it is important to monitor their presence. While the use of these substances is not harmful to human health, their interaction with other substances in water, such as micro-organisms, can lead to antibiotic resistance: this is a major public health problem worldwide. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of anthropic chemicals that possess unique properties (e.g. water and grease repellence, high thermal stability). When dispersed in the environment, PFAS can persist and become immobilised in environmental matrices. PFASs are known to be toxic, with numerous studies identifying potential adverse human health effects, including cancers, thyroid problems, and elevated cholesterol levels. Various treatments have been studied for the removal of PFAS and PCs from aqueous systems. A promising technology is adsorption using activated carbon: contaminated water can be purified by bringing it into contact with a solid phase, which causes the contaminants to be adsorbed through molecular-level interactions. This work is the outcome of a collaboration between Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna and Universidade NOVA de Lisboa as part of the European Project MAR2PROTECT. The objective of this work is removing PFAS and PCs from the environment using adsorption processes with carbon-based biomaterials. The use of carbon-based biomaterials is a promising solution for eliminating PFAS and PCs from aqueous systems due to their exceptional properties, adjustability, and reusability. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy.