Mapping PFAS behavior via meta-analysis of soil dynamics, predictive modeling and policy integration

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants with increasing prevalence in agricultural soils, primarily introduced through biosolid application, wastewater irrigation, and atmospheric deposition. This review provides a meta-analysis of terminologies across 145 peer-reviewed studies, identifying inconsistency in the classification of PFAS subgroups—such as “long-chain vs. short-chain,” “precursors,” and “emerging PFAS”—which hinders regulatory harmonization and model calibration. Empirical data reveal PFAS leaching depths ranging from 3 cm in sandy soils under low irrigation (1500 ng/L) to 10 cm in clay under high irrigation (200 ng/L). Analytical advances, including LC-MS/MS and hyperspectral drone imaging, enable detection limits below 0.05 μg/kg and hotspot identification at 1 m spatial resolution. Modeling tools like HYDRUS, MODFLOW-MT3DMS, and CalTOX simulate PFAS transport, bioaccumulation, and degradation with increasing fidelity. Biochar application reduced PFOS leaching by >80 %, and plasma treatment achieved 95 % PFAS degradation within 2 h. A global policy comparison reveals fragmented regulatory frameworks: the U.S. EPA promotes voluntary monitoring and advisory levels (e.g., 4 ng/L for PFOA+PFOS in water), while the EU progresses toward enforceable soil thresholds and PFAS phase-outs under REACH. Austria's ONORM ¨ S 2088-2 integrates human, plant, and ecological endpoints, contrasting with the USDA's BMP (Best Management Practices)-driven mitigation. The review advocates for terminology standardization, integration of multi-model transport and fate simulations, and hybrid remediation strategies. Policy convergence, driven by data

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