Research project In this project, we will investigate how Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, affect aquatic animal communities, if and how PFAS can be transferred onto land via aquatic insects, and if PFAS thereby can end up also in terrestrial food webs.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely resistant to degradation and can therefore be found in the environment long after ending up there. Earlier studies have mostly investigated concentrations of PFAS in aquatic environments, while effects of these concentrations on populations and communities of aquatic animals rarely have been considered. Further, as aquatic insects as adults emerge and fly up on land is it possible that PFAS can be transferred to adjacent land, and to land-living animals, but this has not yet been investigated.
Thanh Wang, Örebro university, project leader
Alina Koch, Örebro university, doctoral student
