Underestimated impacts of short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on methane yield in anaerobic co-digestion systems

Key Points

• Methane yield decreases due to short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in anaerobic digestion systems.
• A notable reduction of up to 40% in methane yield was observed during controlled experiments.
• Analysis of anaerobic co-digestion systems assessed the interaction of these harmful substances.
• Findings support the need for regulatory focus on short-chain substances to mitigate environmental impacts.