Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID MT_2024_Ostovar

Freshwater Species of Concern as Bio-Sentinels of PFAS Contamination

Institute: Montana
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $24,728 Total Non-Federal Funds: $24,775

Principal Investigators: Kayhan Ostovar

Project Summary: Research will sample for PFAS in spiny softshell and snapping turtles in the Yellowstone River near Billings and nearby tributaries to investigate the distribution of PFAS in riparian communities and bioaccumulation of these compounds in turtles. This project represents cross-sector collaboration, capacity building, and tribal youth engagement, conducted in partnership with the Little Bighorn College, Rocky Mountain College, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey.