Authors:

Jack Morehouse

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About Paper:

Researchers have developed numerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations to replace PFAS-containing AFFF for use in fire suppression. Recent research has demonstrated that these replacement formulations are more acutely toxic than the traditional PFAS-containing AFFF. Given their relatively high toxicity, frequent exposure to the formulations could lead to evolutionary responses (i.e. evolved tolerance) in exposed populations. In this study, we examined the effects of chronic exposure to seven AFFF formulations (6 PFAS-free and 1 PFAS-containing) on the evolution of tolerance in Daphnia magna. Following an 84-day exposure to six concentrations of each formulation, we used a series of laboratory lethal concentration (LC50) tests on a subset of zooplankton populations to examine the potential change in tolerance. We found chronic exposure to three AFFF formulations led to a change in tolerance in exposed populations as compared to those with no previous exposure; whereas chronic exposure to AFFF increased the tolerance in two zooplankton populations, exposure resulted in increased sensitivity in a third population. This work is the first to examine evolved responses to AFFF formulations. Furthermore, these results highlight the myriad ecological and evolutionary effects of chronic AFFF exposure, particularly on keystone species in aquatic ecosystems.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

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Co-authors:

Jack Morehouse