Journal Article
Perchlorate in antarctica, origin, effects, treatments, environmental fate, and astrobiological perspectives: a review
R. Acevedo-Barrios; D. A. Puentes Martínez; I. O. Hernández Rocha; C. Rubiano-Labrador; A. C. De la Parra-Guerra; L. Carranza-López; A. Monroy-Licht; M. A. Leal; D. Tovar
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Vol. 22, Issue 5 · pp. 3855-3872 · 2025
Abstract
Perchlorate (ClO 4 − ), which is a powerful endocrine disruptor affecting iodine fixation in the thyroid gland in humans and in biota, is a pollutant of natural and anthropogenic origin. For this reason, this pollutant must be eliminated from the ecosystems. It has been found in extreme environments such as Antarctica. ClO 4 − reduction can be achieved with physicochemical treatments in small concentrations and through bacterial degradation. This is a cost-effective method, easy to implement, which makes it a viable method for the removal of perchlorate contamination in ecosystems. This review provides an updated discussion of reducing perchlorate contamination; that includes different perspectives of investigations related to its origin, use, effects on living beings; as well as the technologies used to eliminate this pollutant from the environment; its environmental fate in strategic ecosystems such as Antarctica in particular and astrobiological perspectives.