Understanding the Fate and Behavior of PFAS in Port Philip Bay
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of >5000 synthetic Organo fluorine chemicals. They have been in use since the 1940s to make products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. Often labelled “forever chemicals” due to their stability and resistant to degradation PFAS are found in throughout the world. They were originally thought to be safe and little thought was given to their environmental fate and effects. This turned out to be a mistake, and today there are high concerns over their potential impacts on human and environmental health. In humans, exposure to high levels PFAS has been associated with increased cholesterol levels, decreased vaccine response, change in liver enzymes, increased risk of high blood pressure and increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer.
Port Philip Bay has an approximate area of 1950 square kilometers. The Bay’s catchment covers 9790 square kilometers encompassing 21 natural drainage basins. It supports ~300 species of fishes as well as over 200 species of sea weeds, jelly fishes, corals and sponges and has significant environmental, economic, and social significance to Victoria. The greatest risk to Port Philip Bay is from catchment-based pollution (such as PFAS) and marine pests.
The aim of this study is to understand the sources fate and behavior of PFAS in Post Philip Bay and surrounding catchments. We will create a detailed mass balance of major PFAS in the bay which will include storm water, rivers and creeks, sediments, rainwater, biota and the bay itself. Understanding the major sources of PFAS, how they move through the environment as well as their fate over time will enable us to better target control and remediation efforts to improve environmental safety.