The Science

Work Package 1. Large-Scale Monitoring of PFAS-Contaminated Water and Aquatic Wildlife  

Led by: Leon Barron and Alexandra Richardson 

This activity develops, validates and calibrates new tools and measurement approaches for measuring the risks of PFAS in aquatic life including new field-deployable passive sampler tools combined with advanced laboratory analysis workflows. It also establishes a catchment-to-national-scale PFAS monitoring programme including with thousands of Citizen Scientists and UK Government Agencies. We will benchmark analytical measurement consistency, identify chemical-space gaps, and produce detailed datasets for development of next generation models to rapidly identify future PFAS sources and risks. 

Work Package 2. PFAS Hazard Assessment 

Led by: Christer Hogstrand and Thomas Miller  

In this activity, PFAS toxicity will be examined in multiple ways and across species. Their responses to several different PFAS will be measured, generating mechanistic, physiological, and behavioural endpoints tied to internal PFAS concentrations. We also identify pathways of toxicity and derive quantitative modes of action in this activity. 

Work Package 3. Modelling and Mechanisms of PFAS Uptake and Toxicity 

Led by: Thomas Miller and Luigi Margiotta Casaluci 

This activity focuses on quantitative new computational approaches to predict PFAS uptake in organisms using field and lab data gathered in Activities 1 and 2. The aim is to generalise predictions enabling mechanistically-informed environmental quality standards to wider PFAS chemistries. 

Work Package 4. Source Apportionment, Sensitivity Analysis and Risk Assessment 

Led by: Claus Svendsen and Gareth Roberts 

Here, we use new modelling and multivariate statistics to identify PFAS sources within the measured nested catchments to estimate their overall contributions to the contamination signature. Species sensitivity distributions are constructed for key PFAS to derive hazard concentrations. Hydrological modelling then predicts PFAS concentrations, fluxes, and risk distributions across a catchment, prioritising PFAS of greatest ecological concern. 

Work Package 5. Translating Outputs into Impact 

Led by: Leon Barron and Alice Baynes