Scientists Investigate So-Called ‘Forever Chemicals’ in the Chesapeake Bay
By Ashley Goetz
PFAS are found nearly everywhere, including in the Chesapeake Bay. What are these so-called “forever chemicals” and what do they mean for the people and wildlife that call the Bay watershed home? Across the country, researchers are piecing together the PFAS puzzle—and these complicated chemicals are driving them to think about environmental contaminants in new ways.
Their favorite fish, locations, and gear may vary, but all subsistence fishers have something in common: they eat what they catch. As a result, they may be at higher risk of consuming contaminants like PFAS. Maryland’s fish consumption advisories are one tool used to communicate this risk.
Detecting PFAS in the Chesapeake Bay is tricky. Compared to freshwater, Bay water is a chemistry soup, and varying salinity adds an extra layer of complexity. In the lab and in the field, researchers are developing methods to more reliably detect and measure what’s in the water.
PFAS have circulated in coastal environments for decades, including in the Chesapeake Bay, where millions of migrating birds rest and nest each year. Through fieldwork, lab studies, and models, researchers are starting to unravel how these chemicals affect birds.
A Water Quality Specialist Reflects on 34 Years of Extension Work
By Madeleine Jepsen
PFAS are just the latest challenge Andy Lazur is tackling as a University of Maryland Extension specialist. From podcasts to pond visits, Lazur prioritizes getting information to the people who need it.
