Spinacia oleracea L. seedling emergence and early development growth responses to Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS) contaminated soil

This study examined seedling emergence and early development growth responses of Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach) in per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated soil. Results show that low concentrations of PFAS contaminated soil (50 ng/kg) can affect plant biomass and growth in young plants. Results also indicate that further testing and research is needed, which should include other PFAS as well as with a greater diversity of plant species and PFAS concentration exposures, to better understand the potency of fluorinated chemicals to terrestrial plants destined for food consumption. This study serves in improving the understanding of the behaviour and fate of these fluorinated compounds in the terrestrial environment.

Honours Thesis completed by Stephanie Wallace Polley in June 2018.