The effects of PFAS forever chemicals on species in wetland species across climate gradients

This project is part of the NERC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ECOWILD. For more details please visit:  https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/

Project outline

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (also known as “forever chemicals”) are widespread and very persistent pollutants. Because of their mobility, PFAS are expected to reach wetland environments. In these biodiverse habitats, the toxicity of PFAS on invertebrates has a high probability to differ with temperature, given that both stressors can modify the metabolic rate of organisms. To understand these complex and interacting effects, this project will assess how PFAS exposure in ponds/ditches affects biodiversity under the prevailing climate conditions in different regions (Mediterranean, N/S UK, Arctic). The study will collate known information on pond and stream pollution and will sample locations nationally and internationally for PFAS. Species living in these habitats will be studied to see how much they take up PFAS, how these chemicals modify feeding, affect metabolism and have population effects under different temperature (extremes).

Detailed project plan and student experience

This project will assess how the presence and effects of PFAS in ponds and ditches, vary across different climatic regions (Mediterranean, Northern/Southern UK, Arctic). It will examine the effects of PFAS and study how temperature and associated stressors linked to hydrological conditions modify the effects of these persistent pollutants. The student will systematically review existing data on PFAS in small waterbodies. Fieldwork will be conducted across Europe to sample ephemeral ponds/ditches in different climates for PFAS measurements using cutting edge analysis methods. In parallel, laboratory experiments will be conducted to assess how PFAS are absorbed by aquatic organisms (e.g., Daphnia, algal biofilms), modify feeding or photosynthesis, influence metabolic rates, and cause population-level effects under multi-stressor conditions.

By working on the above aspects, the student will gain experience in environmental sampling, PFAS analysis, and ecotoxicological experimentation, along with skills in data analysis, FAIR data management, digital science, and scientific communication. The work will be supervised by experts in PFAS ecotoxicology (Prof David Spurgeon, Dr Emily Eagles) of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (www.ceh.ac.uk) (located at Wallingford, Oxfordshire) – an Independent Charitable Environmental Science Research Institute sponsored by NERC (the ultimate funder of the PhD program). The student will also be affiliated to, and be able to use the facilities of, the University of York (the institute that will ultimately award their PhD degree). Through partnerships, the student will also work with researchers at a stakeholder project collaborator (The Rivers Trust) and with an ecotoxicologist experienced in working in extreme environment (Prof Nico Van Den Brink, Wageningen University).

Eligibility

This project is available to home and overseas students. Applicants typically should have a first or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject, relevant experience may be advantageous, but is not essential.

We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose.

Essential Skills:

• Field-based skills
• Laboratory skills
• Data analysis

It is noted that you don’t need significant experience of all three of these skills. However, these are the areas where you must believe you have demonstrated some potential and that you wish to further develop as they are a core part of the project.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit the ECOWILD website: https://ecowild.site.hw.ac.uk/how-to-apply/

For project specific enquiries, please contact dasp@ceh.ac.uk

Timelines

The closing date for applications is 5pm GMT Thursday 9th January, and applicants must be available to start in October 2025.