Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID WR24R003

Elucidating the health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on an apex bird predator in the Great Lakes region river systems

Institute: Wisconsin
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-12-16 End Date: 2027-12-15
Total Federal Funds: $310,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $310,000

Principal Investigators: Gavin Dehnert

Project Summary: The presence of PFAS in aquatic ecosystems of the Great Lakes Region is of concern to many diverse communities. Because PFAS can accumulate into higher trophic levels, species like the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at the top of the food web can be key indicator species which can help identify contaminated areas, inform aquatic monitoring, and help elucidate negative impacts on wildlife. Few studies examine the impacts of these contaminants on the physiological responses of top predators and fewer on the impact on reproduction, health, and immune function. We propose to (I) assess the concentration and source of PFAS contamination in the diet of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at known PFAS-contaminated sites, (II) compare the physiological and immunological health of bald eagles, (III) conduct a controlled laboratory study with a model species exposing birds to a selected PFAS subtype to elucidate PFAS transfer and long-term health effects on nestlings.