Ecological Risk Characterization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Subsurface: Bioavailability, Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
FY 2019 STATEMENT OF NEED
Environmental Restoration (ER) Program Area
The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to improve our understanding of bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the subsurface. Specifically, the goal was to address the following research areas of interest:
- Improved understanding of the uptake and excretion rates of PFASs by organisms throughout the food web to at least include competitive uptake and/or selective bioaccumulation at different trophic levels.
- Determine the rate and extent of PFAS uptake from soils and water by lower-trophic level organisms, along with the potential biotransformation of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors, in order to determine the relevant mixtures for further study with higher-trophic level organisms.
- Identification of physical and geochemical factors affecting bioavailability of PFASs in sediments and soils.
- Compare the potency of PFASs in relation to chain length, functional group, and varying levels of fluorination.
- Assess PFAS bioaccumulation/biomagnification throughout a food web.
The projects listed below were selected to address the objectives of this SON. Additional information on individual projects can be found by clicking the project title.
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Uptake and Bioaccumulation/Biomagnification of Subsurface-Derived PFASs by Lotic, Warm Water Food Webs
- Lead Investigator: Dr. Marie Kurz, Drexel University
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Determination of Biomagnification Potentials for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Terrestrial Food-webs
- Lead Investigator: Dr. Roman Kuperman, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Chemical Biological Center
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Physiological, Ecological and Environmental Determinants of PFAS Accumulation in Fish: Towards an Improved Bioaccumulation Model
- Lead Investigator: Dr. Christopher Salice, Towson University
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Developing a Predictive Understanding of PFAS Bioaccumulation with Environmental Complexity: Application to the Model Benthic Invertebrate Hyalella azteca and the Common Fish Model Pimephales promelas
- Lead Investigator: Dr. Matt Simcik, University of Minnesota
Research should lead to a better understanding of the environmental impact of AFFF-impacted sites and directly impact the DoD’s ability to manage these sites more cost effectively while being protective of human health and the environment.