How to Remediate Soil Contaminated by PFAS

PFAS contamination has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS — or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are resistant to heat, water, and oil, and they have been used for decades in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, and industrial coatings. The very qualities that made them so commercially successful are the same ones that now cause deep concern: they do not break down easily, they travel through soil and water, and they accumulate in living organisms, including humans.

For many homeowners, landowners, or local authorities, discovering PFAS in soil can be alarming. The question that follows is simple but daunting: how can contaminated soil be cleaned safely and effectively?

At Bioglobe, we specialise in organic enzyme-based bioremediation, developed in our laboratory in Cyprus and now being introduced to the UK through our site bioglobe.co.uk. Our technology is designed to break down a wide range of pollutants using bespoke enzyme formulations that restore land organically and without adverse effects on the ecosystem. In this article, we explore what PFAS are, why they persist, the current state of remediation science, and what practical steps can be taken to make land safe again.

Understanding the PFAS Problem

What Are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic compounds used since the 1940s for their remarkable resistance to water, oil, and stains. Their chemical backbone — a carbon-fluorine chain — is one of the strongest known bonds in organic chemistry, giving PFAS their exceptional durability. Unfortunately, this same resilience means they do not break down naturally in the environment.

PFAS are found in an extraordinary range of products, from firefighting foams and industrial coatings to food packaging, cosmetics, and waterproof fabrics. When these products are manufactured, used, or disposed of, PFAS can enter the soil and groundwater. Over time, they spread widely, contaminating fields, wetlands, and even remote environments.

Why Are PFAS Called “Forever Chemicals”?

The term “forever chemicals” reflects their persistence. Natural processes such as sunlight, bacteria, or oxidation that break down most organic compounds have little effect on PFAS. Even in harsh conditions — high heat, chemical attack, or extended biological exposure — PFAS remain largely intact. Some can take centuries to degrade fully.

Once in soil, PFAS can bind to organic matter and clay particles, or dissolve and move with water. This mobility means they can leach into groundwater or surface water, travel considerable distances, and ultimately reach food chains through crops, livestock, and human consumption.

How PFAS Enter the Soil

PFAS can contaminate soil through a number of pathways:

• Firefighting Foams: The most notorious source of PFAS is aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), used widely at airports, military bases, and fire training facilities.
• Industrial Discharges: Factories that manufacture or process PFAS-containing materials often release waste into nearby soil or water.
• Landfills and Wastewater: PFAS in consumer goods and industrial waste can leach into surrounding soils.
• Biosolids: Wastewater treatment plants can inadvertently spread PFAS when sludge or biosolids are used as agricultural fertiliser.
• Atmospheric Deposition: PFAS can travel through the air and deposit onto soil far from the original source.

The result is that PFAS contamination is no longer limited to industrial zones — it can be found in ordinary back gardens, farmland, and public green spaces.

Consequences of PFAS in Soil

Human and Environmental Health Risks

The main concern with PFAS is their ability to accumulate in living organisms. Once inside the body, PFAS can persist for years. Scientific studies have linked long-term exposure to various health effects, including:

• Kidney and liver damage
• Hormonal disruption
• Suppressed immune response
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Fertility issues and developmental effects in infants
• Certain types of cancer

In soil ecosystems, PFAS can alter microbial balance and reduce biodiversity. They may inhibit beneficial bacteria that support plant growth, disrupt nutrient cycles, and harm soil-dwelling organisms such as worms and insects.

Agricultural and Food Safety Risks

If the soil is contaminated, PFAS can be absorbed by plants and enter the food chain. Leafy greens, root vegetables, and grains grown in polluted soil have been shown to accumulate PFAS in their tissues. This poses a risk to both humans and animals who consume these plants or graze on affected land.

Even low concentrations of PFAS in soil can result in elevated levels in crops over time. This makes it crucial to address contamination before resuming agricultural or horticultural activities.

Economic and Regulatory Implications

From a property perspective, PFAS contamination can significantly reduce land value. Increasingly, governments are tightening regulations around PFAS, with new safety thresholds being set for soil and water. In some regions, landowners may be held responsible for cleanup, even if they did not cause the contamination.

Given these risks, effective remediation is not only an environmental necessity but also a financial safeguard.

Current Remediation Strategies

Cleaning soil contaminated by PFAS is complex. Because these compounds resist degradation, conventional remediation methods that work for hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or pesticides are often ineffective. However, science is advancing quickly, and a number of promising strategies are now being explored.

1. Containment and Immobilisation

This method involves binding PFAS to prevent them from leaching or spreading. Materials such as activated carbon, biochar, or specialised clays can be mixed into the soil to absorb PFAS molecules.

Advantages:

• Immediate reduction in PFAS mobility
• Low-cost and low-disturbance
• Can be implemented quickly

Disadvantages:

• Does not destroy PFAS
• Requires long-term monitoring
• Sorbents can become saturated over time

Containment is often used as a temporary measure, buying time while long-term solutions are developed.

2. Soil Washing and Extraction

In this method, contaminated soil is excavated and washed with chemical solutions or water to extract PFAS. The wash water is then treated separately.

Advantages:

• Removes a portion of PFAS mass
• Effective for soils with loose texture

Disadvantages:

• Generates secondary waste
• May not work in clay or organic-rich soils
• Can be expensive and disruptive

3. Thermal and Chemical Destruction

PFAS can be destroyed at very high temperatures or through advanced chemical processes. Incineration, plasma treatment, or supercritical oxidation can break the carbon-fluorine bonds, effectively destroying PFAS molecules.

Advantages:

• Can achieve complete destruction
• Suitable for concentrated waste streams

Disadvantages:

• High energy cost
• Potential emission of harmful by-products
• Unsuitable for large-scale soil treatment

These methods are typically reserved for industrial sites or disposal of concentrated PFAS waste rather than broad land remediation.

4. Advanced Oxidation and Reduction Processes

These methods rely on reactive species such as radicals or reducing agents to attack PFAS molecules. Although some success has been achieved in laboratory conditions, practical application in soil remains limited.

Advantages:

• Can partially degrade PFAS
• Potential for integration with other methods

Disadvantages:

• Requires precise control
• May generate secondary contaminants
• Difficult to scale up economically

5. Biological and Enzymatic Remediation

This emerging field uses living organisms or biological molecules to break down PFAS. Certain bacteria, fungi, and enzymes have shown an ability to defluorinate PFAS compounds under controlled conditions.

Advantages:

• Environmentally friendly
• Can be carried out in situ
• Compatible with natural soil systems

Disadvantages:

• Research still developing
• Reaction rates can be slow
• Effectiveness varies with PFAS type and soil chemistry

Despite these challenges, enzymatic remediation offers one of the most promising long-term paths for safe, sustainable PFAS cleanup.

What Homeowners and Landowners Can Do

While large-scale industrial remediation can be complex and expensive, there are meaningful steps that private individuals and small landholders can take.

1. Get the Soil Tested

The first step is to confirm contamination and understand its extent. Soil testing for PFAS involves collecting samples from several depths and sending them to a qualified laboratory for analysis.

Laboratories use sensitive techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to detect PFAS at extremely low concentrations. The results indicate which PFAS compounds are present and at what levels.

Testing costs can vary, but understanding the baseline contamination is essential before choosing any remediation method.

2. Contain and Limit Exposure

While waiting for remediation, there are ways to reduce risks immediately:

• Avoid using contaminated soil for growing food.
• Use raised beds with clean imported soil for vegetables.
• Prevent runoff from contaminated areas into clean zones.
• Install physical barriers or ground covers to limit infiltration.

3. Use Natural Amendments

Organic matter, compost, and biochar can reduce PFAS mobility by increasing soil binding capacity. These amendments also improve microbial activity, creating a healthier environment for future bioremediation.

4. Consider Phytoremediation

Some plants, particularly those with extensive root systems, can absorb PFAS from the soil. Although they may not fully degrade the chemicals, they can help to remove them gradually from the top layers of soil.

Harvested plant material must be handled carefully, as it may contain concentrated PFAS. Phytoremediation works best as part of a combined strategy.

5. Commission Professional Remediation

For those with significant contamination or larger plots, professional intervention may be the most efficient route.

At Bioglobe, we specialise in enzyme-based organic bioremediation, which can be customised to each site. After laboratory analysis of the contaminated soil, we formulate a targeted enzyme blend to catalyse the breakdown of pollutants safely within the soil itself.

Unlike harsh chemical or thermal methods, this process preserves soil structure, supports microbial health, and leaves no harmful residues.

6. Monitor Progress

Remediation is a process, not a one-time event. Continued monitoring of soil and water quality ensures that the chosen method is working effectively and allows adjustments over time.

The Bioglobe Solution: Organic Enzyme Bioremediation

At Bioglobe, our research and development team in Cyprus has spent years perfecting a natural enzyme formulation that can break down pollutants, restore biological balance, and regenerate soil health.

PFAS present a unique challenge because of their strength and stability, but our approach — grounded in enzyme science — offers a path forward that is both environmentally safe and highly adaptable.

Why Enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts — natural proteins that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed. In bioremediation, specific enzymes are used to break down complex or persistent pollutants into harmless end products such as carbon dioxide, water, and simple minerals.

The power of enzymes lies in their selectivity. They can target specific chemical bonds, meaning they act precisely where they are needed without disturbing the surrounding ecosystem.

Bioglobe’s Bespoke Enzyme Design

Every contaminated site is unique. Soil type, pH, temperature, organic matter, and pollutant mix all influence remediation success. Our laboratory analyses these parameters to design a bespoke enzyme solution tailored to the precise needs of each project.

For PFAS, this approach involves developing enzymatic blends that work synergistically with soil microbes and natural processes to weaken and ultimately break the strong carbon-fluorine bonds.

Advantages of Bioglobe’s Enzyme-Based Remediation

• Environmentally safe: Our enzymes are organic, biodegradable, and non-toxic. They pose no risk to plants, animals, or groundwater.
• No excavation required: In situ application means soil can be treated where it lies, minimising disruption.
• Ecosystem restoration: The process enhances microbial activity, improving soil health and fertility.
• Scalable and flexible: Treatments can be applied to small plots or scaled up for industrial land.
• Customised formulation: Every enzyme blend is created in our lab after pollutant analysis, ensuring maximum effectiveness.

A Sustainable Alternative

Traditional PFAS remediation often relies on energy-intensive methods that simply transfer the problem elsewhere — burning contaminated soil, extracting it, or locking it in barriers that eventually degrade.

Bioglobe’s enzyme-based method represents a true remediation, aiming not just to contain but to transform contaminants organically. By leveraging nature’s chemistry, we work with the ecosystem rather than against it.

How the Process Works

1. Site Assessment:
   Soil and, if necessary, groundwater samples are collected and analysed to identify PFAS types and concentrations.
2. Laboratory Analysis:
   Our scientists characterise the pollution profile and determine the most effective enzymatic pathways for degradation.
3. Formulation:
   A bespoke enzyme solution is created to match the soil’s chemical and biological conditions.
4. Application:
   The enzyme formulation is applied directly to the affected soil through spraying, injection, or mixing, depending on the site.
5. Biostimulation:
   Natural soil conditions are optimised to support microbial activity that complements enzymatic degradation.
6. Monitoring:
   Progress is tracked through periodic testing to confirm PFAS reduction and assess soil recovery.
7. Restoration:
   Once remediation reaches target levels, the soil is revitalised for safe agricultural or residential use.

This structured, data-driven process allows Bioglobe to remediate pollution organically and sustainably, with no harmful side effects.

Realistic Expectations

Because PFAS are highly stable, complete degradation can take time. Enzymatic bioremediation is not an overnight fix, but a gradual, controlled process that balances efficacy with ecological integrity.

In most cases, meaningful PFAS reduction can be achieved over a period of months to years, depending on the level of contamination and environmental conditions. The goal is to restore soil health progressively, not through brute force, but through intelligent biological engineering.

The Future of PFAS Remediation

PFAS pollution has spurred a new era of environmental science. Researchers worldwide are now exploring biological and hybrid methods that combine physical, chemical, and enzymatic processes. AI-designed enzymes, microbial consortia, and plant–fungus partnerships are all showing potential.

Bioglobe’s work fits squarely within this future. By refining enzyme structures and developing site-specific formulations, we aim to make organic remediation practical on a large scale — not only for PFAS but for a wide range of persistent pollutants.

As regulations tighten and public awareness grows, natural remediation methods will play an increasingly central role. People want clean land and clean water, but they also want solutions that do not harm the planet further. Enzymatic bioremediation achieves that balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are PFAS and why are they dangerous in soil?

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, water, and oil. They are dangerous because they persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, including humans. In soil, PFAS can move into groundwater, be absorbed by plants, and disrupt soil biology. Some PFAS are linked to health problems such as cancer, liver and kidney damage, and immune system effects.

Can enzymes or microbes degrade PFAS?

Yes, enzymes and certain microbes can break down PFAS under the right conditions. The carbon-fluorine bond is exceptionally strong, so degradation requires specialised enzymes that can cleave it. Research in this field is advancing rapidly, and Bioglobe’s organic enzyme formulations are designed to accelerate these reactions naturally within the soil, without harmful chemicals or disturbance.

How do you test soil for PFAS?

Soil testing involves collecting samples at several depths and sending them to a certified laboratory. Testing uses sensitive analytical instruments capable of detecting PFAS at extremely low concentrations. Costs vary depending on the number of samples and the depth of analysis, but accurate testing is essential for understanding contamination levels and planning remediation.

Can remediation make my land safe for growing vegetables again?

Yes. Once PFAS levels are reduced to safe thresholds, land can be safely used for growing vegetables or other crops. In some cases, raised beds or fresh topsoil may be used during the remediation process to reduce exposure. Bioglobe’s enzyme-based approach restores soil health and fertility naturally, making it suitable for future planting without introducing harmful residues.

How long does PFAS remediation typically take?

Timeframes depend on contamination severity, soil type, and the chosen remediation method. For enzyme-based bioremediation, results can begin to appear within months, though full restoration may take one to three years. The advantage of this method is that it operates continuously and safely without excavation or disruption, allowing land to recover naturally.

Conclusion

PFAS contamination is a challenge unlike any other — invisible, long-lasting, and difficult to remove. Yet with scientific innovation and environmental responsibility, it is a problem that can be solved.

At Bioglobe, we believe that the future of remediation is organic. Our enzyme-based solutions work in harmony with nature, transforming pollutants rather than simply hiding them. Whether the contamination lies in an industrial site, farmland, or even a private garden, our bespoke approach can help restore balance to the soil and ensure that recovery happens safely, sustainably, and effectively.

The key to tackling PFAS lies not in fighting against the environment, but in partnering with it. With enzymes, we can unlock that potential — turning even the most persistent pollution into a story of renewal.

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