Research progress in influencing factors and intensifying approaches of microbial degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in environmental media

Abstract:

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are frequently used flame retardants. They are widely distributed in the global environment and difficult to be degraded, causing serious harm to the environment. Due to their potential toxicity, durability, and bioaccumulation, more and more attention has been paid to degrading PBDEs with high efficiency. The microbial degradation method has become a research hotspot because of the low cost, high efficiency, and low secondary pollution. This paper first introduces the pollution status of PBDEs in water, atmosphere, and soil and the toxicity of PBDEs to biological health. Then, it elaborates on the key factors influencing microbial degradation, the different pathways of anaerobic and aerobic degradation, and the intensifying approaches and mechanism of degradation. Finally, we prospect the application of new materials, density functional theory, and new research methods in the in-situ degradation of PBDEs, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and technical support for treating the pollution of PBDEs.