Forever Chemicals in UK Waterways

Tackling PFAS Pollution Through Enzyme-Driven Innovation

Summary

PFAS – often called “forever chemicals” – have been detected at worrying levels throughout English rivers, lakes, and ponds. Their extraordinary persistence means they linger in the environment, build up in wildlife, and pose potential risks to human health. This article explains what PFAS are, why they are so difficult to remove, and how BioGlobe’s enzyme-driven organic remediation technology offers a credible, environmentally harmonious pathway to addressing this mounting problem. Using tailored enzyme systems that are safe for aquatic ecosystems, BioGlobe’s approach can help degrade or immobilise PFAS pollutants without introducing harmful chemicals or causing disruption to habitats.

Introduction

Across the UK, the subject of water pollution has become increasingly prominent in public debate. Rivers once celebrated for their wildlife, scenic value, and use for angling or leisure have come under scrutiny as new data reveals the presence of industrial and chemical pollutants. Among these contaminants, PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – attract significant attention because of their remarkable resistance to natural degradation. Nicknamed “forever chemicals”, they can persist in soil and water for decades, and once they enter a waterway, they can travel vast distances, accumulate in fish and wildlife, and pose long-term challenges for environmental protection agencies, water companies, and local communities.

For many members of the public, PFAS is a relatively new term. Yet these chemicals have been in widespread use since the mid-20th century in everything from stain-resistant carpets to firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, packaging, waterproof clothing, and industrial manufacturing processes. Their chemical stability is what makes them useful—but also what makes them exceptionally difficult to remove from the environment once they escape into it.

As awareness grows, so does the demand for practical, effective, and sustainable solutions. This is where BioGlobe’s enzyme-based bioremediation technology becomes especially relevant. Unlike conventional remediation approaches that rely on excavation, incineration, or harsh chemical treatments, BioGlobe uses organic, plant-derived enzymes designed to work in harmony with the environment. These enzymes target pollutants at the molecular level, breaking them down without harming fish, plants, microbes, or water quality.

This article is written for ordinary people—residents concerned about local rivers, community groups, anglers, landowners, local decision-makers, and anyone wanting to understand both the problem and the science-driven solutions. We will outline the issue clearly, describe the consequences, and then offer a solution grounded in BioGlobe’s expertise and ongoing research.

Understanding PFAS: The Problem

PFAS refers to a family of thousands of synthetic chemicals characterised by one key feature: the carbon-fluorine bond. This is one of the strongest chemical bonds known, making PFAS incredibly resistant to heat, water, oil, and microbial activity. As a result, they do not break down easily — neither in the natural environment nor in the human body.

Although PFAS have been regulated or phased out in many sectors, their legacy remains. Older PFAS compounds continue to circulate in the environment because they were used so extensively for decades. Meanwhile, newer PFAS replacements are often just as persistent.

How PFAS Enter UK Waterways

The presence of PFAS in UK rivers and lakes is not due to a single source; instead, it is the result of multiple pathways, including:

• Industrial discharges, either historically or ongoing
• Firefighting foams used during training or emergency response, especially at airports or military sites
• Landfill leachate, where older consumer products degrade and release PFAS into surrounding soil and water
• Sewage treatment plants, where waste containing PFAS passes through systems not designed to remove them
• Runoff from urban areas, washing chemicals from treated materials such as waterproof clothing or treated furniture
• Contaminated soil, where PFAS can migrate into groundwater or surface water

Because PFAS are water-soluble and highly stable, once they enter rivers or lakes they can travel long distances and persist indefinitely unless actively removed or broken down.

Why PFAS Are Known as “Forever Chemicals”

The carbon-fluorine bond is incredibly difficult to break. In nature, very few biological systems are capable of degrading these chemicals. As a result:

• PFAS can remain intact in rivers, lakes, soil, and groundwater for decades
• They accumulate in fish, birds, and mammals
• They build up in human tissues over time
• They resist both sunlight and microbial degradation
• Even at low concentrations, they may persist long enough to cause broader ecological effects

Permanent, persistent contaminants of this kind require innovative solutions. Traditional methods like incineration, removal of contaminated soil, or high-energy chemical oxidation are expensive, disruptive, and often impractical for large-scale water bodies.

Consequences: Why PFAS in Water Matters

Understanding the consequences of PFAS contamination is essential for appreciating the urgency of remediation. These consequences affect not only wildlife and ecosystems but also human health, local economies, communities, and government responsibilities.

Impact on Human Health

Although research is ongoing, numerous studies suggest that long-term exposure to certain PFAS compounds may be associated with a range of health concerns, including:

• Hormonal disruption
• Immune system suppression
• Reduced vaccine responsiveness
• Developmental effects in children
• Thyroid disorders
• Kidney and liver stress
• Some cancers

Because PFAS accumulate in the body over time, even low environmental levels can contribute to long-term exposure. Drinking water and consumption of contaminated fish are two potential pathways for PFAS to reach people.

Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems

PFAS do not merely remain in water—they accumulate in living organisms. In aquatic environments:

• Fish can absorb PFAS into their tissues
• Predators such as birds, otters, and larger fish may accumulate even higher concentrations
• Reproduction and growth can be affected in some species
• Changes in immune response or metabolic function may undermine population health
• PFAS may interact with other pollutants, complicating ecosystem resilience

The fact that PFAS spread through food chains means that contamination does not remain local—it radiates outward.

Impact on Communities and Local Economies

Polluted waterways carry broader consequences, including:

• Reduced confidence in local water quality
• Negative effects on tourism, especially in areas popular for angling or wild swimming
• Concerns for small fisheries that depend on healthy rivers
• Higher burdens on public bodies and councils responsible for land and water management
• Increased remediation costs for developers, landowners, or authorities overseeing contaminated land

Challenges for Remediation

Conventional methods for managing PFAS contamination include:

• Pump-and-treat systems
• Activated carbon filtration
• High-energy oxidation
• Soil excavation and removal
• High-temperature incineration

However, each of these approaches has major challenges:

• They may simply relocate the problem (e.g., moving contaminated soil)
• They may create harmful by-products
• They are expensive at scale
• They can disrupt natural habitats
• They often require long-term maintenance

Communities and councils increasingly seek solutions that are safe, long-lasting, and compatible with environmental goals. BioGlobe’s enzyme-driven remediation is designed with these principles at heart.

Solution: BioGlobe’s Organic Enzyme Approach to Tackling PFAS

BioGlobe’s remediation philosophy is simple: solutions should be effective, environmentally harmonious, and based on natural biological mechanisms. Instead of relying on chemicals or heavy engineering, BioGlobe uses organic enzymes derived from natural sources. These enzymes are designed to degrade pollutants at the molecular level while preserving the balance of the ecosystem.

Below is how this applies specifically to PFAS.

1. Understanding the Science Behind Enzyme Bioremediation

Enzymes are biological catalysts. They speed up chemical reactions that would otherwise take far longer. In nature, enzymes help break down organic materials such as leaves, food waste, or environmental toxins. BioGlobe takes this principle and applies it to pollutants that nature struggles with—like PFAS.

PFAS molecules are notoriously stable because of their carbon-fluorine bond. BioGlobe’s research focuses on:

• Enzymatic defluorination
• Enzyme systems that can weaken PFAS structures
• Synergistic blends where multiple enzymes work together
• Creating conditions (pH, co-factors, protective matrices) that maximise PFAS degradation

Unlike synthetic chemicals or harsh oxidisers, enzymes are:

• Fully biodegradable
• Non-toxic
• Safe for aquatic life
• Effective at low concentrations
• Compatible with natural microbial communities

This makes them uniquely suited to sensitive ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

2. Bespoke Solutions Designed in BioGlobe’s Laboratory

No two contaminated water bodies are the same. PFAS vary in type, concentration, co-contaminants, pH, and environmental conditions. BioGlobe therefore provides bespoke, site-specific enzyme formulations, designed in our laboratory in Cyprus.

This process includes:

Site Analysis

• Sampling of water and sediment
• Identification of PFAS compounds present
• Measurement of concentration levels
• Understanding the local ecosystem (pH, microbial activity, mineral content)

Enzyme Selection and Tailoring

Based on the site data, BioGlobe’s chemists and molecular biologists select enzymes known to be compatible with the pollutants. These enzymes are then:

• Adjusted for pH stability
• Supplemented with natural cofactors
• Put into a matrix to prevent rapid dissipation
• Optimised for contact time and reactivity

This tailored approach ensures that the enzymes perform effectively within the specific environment being treated.

3. Application Methods that Respect the Ecosystem

BioGlobe’s enzyme blends can be delivered in several environmentally sensitive ways:

• Slow-release hydrogels that sit on riverbeds
• Floating bio-carriers that release enzymes gradually
• Direct water dosing for lakes and enclosed bodies
• Injection into sediment layers where PFAS have accumulated
• Biodegradable encapsulation to protect enzymes from dilution

These methods ensure that the enzymes remain active long enough to interact with pollutants while posing no risk to wildlife.

4. Safe and Eco-Friendly by Design

One of the greatest advantages of BioGlobe’s remediation approach is its safety. The enzyme blends:

• Do not harm fish, invertebrates, insects, amphibians or plants
• Do not alter the natural chemistry of the water
• Do not introduce synthetic chemicals
• Are completely biodegradable
• Leave behind only harmless amino acids and natural by-products

This contrasts starkly with some conventional PFAS remediation technologies, which can introduce secondary stresses to ecosystems or require energy-intensive processes.

5. Monitoring, Feedback and Adaptive Remediation

BioGlobe supports clients with ongoing monitoring to ensure results remain on track. This includes:

• Measuring PFAS concentrations before, during and after treatment
• Tracking changes in sediment chemistry
• Monitoring fluoride release (evidence of PFAS breakdown)
• Assessing the health of local microbial communities
• Observing ecological recovery

If needed, BioGlobe can adjust enzyme blend composition to accelerate progress or compensate for unforeseen environmental conditions.

6. Supporting Healthy Ecosystems After Remediation

Once PFAS concentrations begin to decline, wildlife and microbial communities recover. BioGlobe’s approach ensures:

• Natural bacteria can re-establish themselves
• Aquatic plants can grow without chemical stress
• Fish populations face fewer bioaccumulation risks
• The water body regains resilience

In ecosystems where PFAS had hindered reproduction or growth, this recovery can be transformative.

Why BioGlobe’s Approach Matters to Ordinary People

This article is meant to empower everyday readers, so here are some clear reasons why enzyme-based remediation should matter to communities:

1. It Restores the Rivers We Love

Healthy rivers support recreation, wildlife, and local identity. Enzyme remediation helps restore them without heavy machinery or ecological disruption.

2. It Protects Long-Term Health

Reducing PFAS levels in water and fish lowers the risk of long-term exposure, especially for communities that enjoy angling or live near waterways.

3. It Supports Local Biodiversity

Fish, birds, insects, and plants all benefit when persistent pollutants are removed safely.

4. It Avoids Harmful Chemicals or Energy-Intensive Methods

Enzymes operate gently and naturally.

5. It Offers Hope in a Growing Environmental Challenge

The scale of PFAS pollution can feel overwhelming, but BioGlobe’s approach shows that smart science and nature-based solutions can make a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions (SEO-Optimised)

1. What are PFAS and why are they called “forever chemicals”?

PFAS are synthetic chemicals resistant to natural degradation. They earn the nickname “forever chemicals” because they can persist in water, soil, wildlife and human bodies for decades.

2. How do PFAS get into UK rivers and lakes?

PFAS can enter waterways through industrial discharges, sewage systems, firefighting foams, landfill runoff, contaminated soil, and urban drainage.

3. Why are PFAS harmful?

Some PFAS compounds have been linked to health risks including immune disruption, hormone imbalance, and certain cancers. They also accumulate in wildlife and ecosystems, causing long-term environmental stress.

4. How does BioGlobe’s enzyme remediation work?

BioGlobe designs bespoke, plant-derived enzyme blends that target PFAS molecules at a chemical level. These enzymes help break down PFAS safely and naturally without harming wildlife.

5. Is enzyme-based PFAS remediation safe for ecosystems?

Yes. BioGlobe’s enzyme solutions are organic, biodegradable and non-toxic. They do not harm fish, plants or microbial life and leave no harmful residues behind.

Bioglobe offer Organic Enzyme pollution remediation for major oil-spills, oceans and coastal waters, marinas and inland water, sewage and nitrate remediation and agriculture and brown-field sites, throughout the UK and Europe.

We have created our own Enzyme based bioremediation in our own laboratory in Cyprus and we are able to create bespoke variants for maximum efficacy.

Our team are able to identify the pollution, we then assess the problem, conduct site tests and send samples to our lab where we can create a bespoke variant, we then conduct a pilot test and proceed from there.

Our Enzyme solutions are available around the world, remediation pollution organically without any harm to the ecosystem.

For further information:
BioGlobe LTD (UK),
Phone: +44(0) 116 4736303| Email: info@bioglobe.co.uk