Upcoming Events
PhD Dissertation Defense - Environmental Science & Policy
Jul 23, 2024, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Hybrid:
Merten Hall Room 1204
Virtual - email espgrad@gmu.edu for Zoom meeting info
PhD Dissertation
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Ayesha Karamat
Defense Date and Time: July 23, 2024, at 2:00pm
Defense Location: Hybrid - Merten Hall 1204 and Virtual
Title: Toxicity and environmental interactions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plants: assessments from protein structural changes to seasonal absorption dynamics
Dissertation Director: Dr. Benoit Van Aken
Committee: Dr. R. Christian Jones, Dr. Gregory D. Foster, Dr. Esther C. Peters
ABSTRACT
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread and persistent environmental contaminants. This dissertation investigates the impact of PFAS on plants through laboratory and field experiments. The first phase of this study focused on the toxicity of long-chain and the newly-introduced short-chain fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, showing that the short-chain PFAS exhibit higher toxicity than the long-chain ones. The second phase of this study focused on the seasonal absorption of PFAS by aquatic plants in the Chesapeake Bay, suggesting an increased uptake of PFAS by plants at the beginning of the growing season and a release in the water at the end of the growing season. These findings underscore the importance of considering short-chain PFAS when performing risk assessment.
