Occurrence, bioaccumulation, and ecological implications of PFAS in mangrove ecosystems: Current evidence and future directions.

Authors

Jing Luo, Naiyu Xie, Shengchao Yao, Xiaoshan Zhu, Wenjing Deng, Kenneth M Y Leung, Yuefei Ruan, Qi Wang

Published in

Marine environmental research. Volume 223. Pages 108540. Nov 10, 2026. Epub Nov 10, 2026.

Abstract

Mangroves are important ecological barriers at the land-sea interface, where their distinctive physical structure and biogeochemical functioning promote the interception and retention of land-derived contaminants. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that have attracted substantial environmental concern. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this critical review synthesizes evidence from 12 eligible publications reporting field measurements of PFAS in mangrove-associated environments, predominantly in China. Both legacy and emerging PFAS have been widely detected in mangrove waters, sediments, and biota. Mangrove sediments may function as both sinks and potential sources of long-term exposure; however, direct measurements of sediment-water flux remain scarce. Perfluorododecanoate and ammonium 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate exhibited high bioaccumulation, while trophic transfer varied across compounds and food webs. The sediment risk quotient for perfluorooctanesulfonate approached unity at one site, suggesting a potential localized ecological concern. However, the limited and geographically uneven evidence does not support broader conclusions for mangrove ecosystems worldwide. Future studies should adopt standardized multi-matrix approaches and examine the roles of tidal exchange, salinity, temperature, and sediment geochemistry in PFAS partitioning, transport, and bioavailability. Future research should also identify reliable biomonitors, use representative mangrove species in toxicity tests, and expand monitoring to a broader geographic range to improve ecological risk assessment and support the protection and management of mangrove ecosystems.

PMID:
43033595
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Nov 2026.

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