Ocean Studies Professors Study PFAS in the Penobscot Bay Region

Dr. Carey Friedman, Associate Professor of Marine Science and Dr. LeAnn Whitney, Associate Professor of Oceanography, were recently awarded a $77,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation in support of their research examining the relationship between PFAS in the marine environment and its presence in phytoplankton. Dr. Friedman and Dr. Whitney are conducting the research in collaboration with Dr. Jitka Becanova, Assistant Research Professor of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Research Context

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in a wide range of consumer products including water and stain resistant fabrics, personal care and cleaning products, non-stick surfaces, and paint products. Exposure to PFAS over time is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes including certain types of cancer, reproductive and developmental issues, and reduced immune and vaccination response in children.

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because the strength of their carbon-fluorine molecular bonds inhibits their natural degradation in the environment. Moreover, PFAS can bioaccumulate within aquatic organisms resulting in concentrations increasing up the food chain. Ultimately, Friedman and Whitney’s research will contribute to our understanding of the concentration of PFAS in local marine waters and how much transfers into phytoplankton, microscopic and photosynthetic organisms that form the base of the marine food chain.