Methodology for Researching PFAS Uptake in Cropping Systems

This collection of videos documents the process of our investigation of the uptake of PFAS into three crops: lettuce (Lactuca sativa), tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in a paired greenhouse and field experiment. In the broader scientific literature, PFAS studies on crops show large variation in Transfer Factors, even for crops of the same type. Simultaneously navigating a host of soil, plant, and abiotic factors that influence crop uptake of PFAS, we also deal with differences in methodology, which is something in our control as PFAS researchers. These videos share the methods our team used to conduct our research. While acknowledging that some of our choices in methodology limited our research, our hope is that sharing our process helps improve future research and provides greater context for findings from our paired greenhouse and field study.