Research progress on the transportation of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in freshwater based on CiteSpace

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have garnered extensive attention due to their dissolubility, stability, hydrophobicity, and oleophobicity, contributing to long-range transport of PFASs in the water. As an important part of the blue-green space system, freshwater plays a decisive role in ensuring environmental health. Hence, a comprehensive analysis of the current studies regarding the transportation of PFASs in freshwater is highly important for ecotoxicological assessment and pollution control. To explore research progress and hotspots of transportation of PFASs in freshwater, CiteSpace software was utilized in this literature to conduct publication growth, analysis of countries/regionss, analysis of publishing institutions, co-citation analysis, keywords bursting analysis, and keywords timeline analysis. The publication trends of the transportation of PFASs in freshwater were divided into the embryonic period (2005–2014) and the developing period (2015–2023). Institutions and authors from China were found to publish most literature, indicating China places a significant emphasis on the assessment of risks of PFASs in freshwater environments. Research hotspots shifted from transport behaviors and mechanisms to risk assessment and multimedia transportation. Understanding the transportation of PFASs in freshwater is crucial for assessing environmental impacts, ensuring water resource sustainability, and contributing to the development of management practices prioritizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility.