Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a major environmental and health concern for airports worldwide. Known for their persistence and widespread presence, these substances have been extensively used in firefighting foams for decades1, leaving a legacy of contamination in soil and water. While airports have significantly reduced or eliminated their use, the challenge of managing PFAS contamination remains—particularly in firefighting training areas. Could phytomanagement offer a sustainable and operationally compatible solution?
PFAS: A persistent challenge
PFAS are highly stable compounds with strong chemical and thermal resistance, making them extremely difficult to remove from the environment. Thousands of PFAS variants exist, all sharing these characteristics, which pose a significant scientific and technical challenge. Current soil remediation solutions are limited, often costly, and typically rely on ex situ chemical or thermal treatments. Biological approaches, however, remain largely unexplored and could provide innovative alternatives.
Phytomanagement: A promising approach
Phytomanagement—already proven effective for other organic pollutants—offers a sustainable in situ solution. Certain plants have demonstrated the ability to bioaccumulate PFAS, opening the door to phytoextraction strategies. Unlike conventional methods, phytomanagement does not require soil excavation and can coexist with airport operations. It is cost-effective, visually appealing, and environmentally responsible, creating biodiversity-friendly spaces while supporting local and circular economies.
Research underway
In 2025, a doctoral research project was launched to evaluate the potential of phytoextraction for PFAS-contaminated soils. This study, co-funded by MITI², ANRT³, and Egis, in collaboration with LIEC⁴, EPOC⁵, and the Universities of Lorraine and Bordeaux, combines laboratory and on-site experiments. It aligns with France’s interministerial PFAS action plan introduced in January 2023 (updated April 2024), which prioritises monitoring PFAS impacts, particularly at airports.
Why it matters for airports
For airport operators, phytomanagement offers a unique advantage: compatibility with ongoing operations. It avoids disruptive excavation, enhances biodiversity, and contributes to sustainable development goals. As regulatory pressure increases and PFAS bans tighten, innovative solutions like phytomanagement will play a critical role in safeguarding airport environments.
References:
¹ In France, production of PFAS-containing firefighting foams has been banned since late 2020. Their use is now heavily restricted and will be completely prohibited by the end of 2025. (Etat des lieux des substances poly et perfluorées associées à l'utilisation des mousses anti-incendie, BRGM, 2024)
² Mission for Cross-Cutting and Interdisciplinary Initiatives (MITI)
³ National Association for Research and Technology (ANRT)
⁴ Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Continental Environments (LIEC)
⁵ Environments and Palaeoenvironments of Oceans and Continents (EPOC)
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Note: this article was originally published in Aéroport le mag, a French publication for the airport sector
