Obanya and colleagues at the University of Portsmouth and Marine Conservation Society published a paper in May 2026 looking at PFAS contaminants in surface waters, effluents, sediments and coastal food webs off the Solent coastline in the UK. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is an umbrella term for over 4,700 human-made chemicals many of which are concerning to health. The Solent is a stretch of sea located on the south coast of England, separating the Isle of Wight from mainland Great Britain. The paper’s authors reported widespread PFAS contamination in coastal waters, sediments, treated wastewater and marine species, ranging from seaweed and crabs to fish and porpoises.
Researchers detected PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate – a synthetic, highly toxic PFAS used for its water, grease, and stain resistance) at levels more than 13 times higher than UK and EU legal safety thresholds for coastal waters in the Solent. The findings raise concerns for the safety of seafood in the UK and highlight that current wastewater treatment processed are not designed to remove PFAS substances effectively.
Obanya H.E, Ginley, Payne, M.R, Ford, A. E (2026)
PFAS contaminants in surface waters, effluents, sediments and coastal food webs off the Solent coastline UK. Marine Environmental Research, 108094, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108094.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113626002631?via%3Dihub
