Unravelling the magnitude and drivers of PFAS trophic magnification: a meta-analysis

Lorenzo Ricolfi (), Yefeng Yang (), Patrice Pottier, Kyle Morrison, Coralie Williams, Pietro Pollo, Daniel Hesselson, G. Gregory Neely, Matthew D. Taylor, Shinichi Nakagawa and Malgorzata Lagisz
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Lorenzo Ricolfi: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Yefeng Yang: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Patrice Pottier: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Kyle Morrison: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Coralie Williams: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Pietro Pollo: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Daniel Hesselson: The University of Sydney, Centenary Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health
G. Gregory Neely: The University of Sydney, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Matthew D. Taylor: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Shinichi Nakagawa: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Malgorzata Lagisz: University of New South Wales Sydney, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) threaten ecosystems worldwide due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Through a global-scale meta-analysis of 119 aquatic and terrestrial food webs from 64 studies, we analyse 1009 trophic magnification factors (TMFs) for 72 PFAS and identify key variability drivers. On average, PFAS concentrations double with each trophic level increase (mean TMF = 2.00, 95% CI:1.64-2.45), though magnification varies considerably by compound. Notably, the industrial alternative F-53B exhibits the highest magnification (TMF = 3.07, 95% CI:2.41-3.92), a critical finding given its expanding use and minimal regulatory scrutiny. Methodological disparities across studies emerge as the dominant source of TMF variability. Our models explain 85% of the variation in TMFs, underscoring predictive capacity. This synthesis establishes PFAS as persistent trophic multipliers and provides a framework to prioritise high-risk compounds and harmonise biomagnification assessments. Our results call for consideration of stricter PFAS regulation to curb cascading ecological and health impacts.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65746-4

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