Dissertation defence (Biology): MSc Amalie Ask
Time
5.5.2025 at 12.00 - 16.00
MSc Amalie Ask defends the dissertation in Biology titled “Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Finnish Waterbirds” at the University of Turku on 5 May 2025 at 12.00 (University of Turku, Main building, Tauno Nurmela lecture hall, Turku).
Opponent: Professor Jonathan Verreault (Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada)
Custos: Professor Toni Laaksonen (University of Turku)
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Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Chemical pollution of the environment is a widespread issue with several examples of resultant harm to wildlife. The list of chemicals commercially available is growing with a recent estimate at over 350 000 chemicals, or mixtures thereof, available. Thus, wildlife will not only continue being at risk of chemical exposure but the range of chemicals they are exposed to is also likely to expand.
My doctoral research helps fill the knowledge gap of which chemicals wildlife are exposed to. Since many chemicals end up in waterbodies, I studied two species of waterbirds. In the first part of my research, I examined bisphenols, benzophenones, phthalate metabolites, benzotriazoles, benzothiazoles, parabens, triclosan, and triclocarban in plasma and eggs from common eiders from Finland.
Of the 58 chemicals I targeted, I detected 21 in at least one female and 17 in at least one egg. Across plasma and eggs, bisphenol A, benzophenone-3, and benzophenone-1 were the dominant chemicals. Another important finding is the presence of benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles in eiders. They are produced in large volumes and found in the aquatic environment, but there is little information on their occurrence in wildlife.
Neonicotinoids are also high production chemicals found in the aquatic environment with no published information on whether these chemicals are found in waterfowl. To help bridge this knowledge gap, I investigated neonicotinoids in the plasma of female common goldeneyes across Finland. I did not find any of the neonicotinoids I targeted indicating that neonicotinoid exposure of female common goldeneyes is not a major risk in Finland.
All in all, my doctoral research shows that waterbirds, illustrated by the eider, are exposed to a cocktail of chemicals, most of which we know very little about. Thus, more attention should be given to investigating these chemicals in wildlife and the environment to ensure that humans and wildlife alike can live healthy lives free from exposure to harmful chemicals.
Opponent: Professor Jonathan Verreault (Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada)
Custos: Professor Toni Laaksonen (University of Turku)
***
Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Chemical pollution of the environment is a widespread issue with several examples of resultant harm to wildlife. The list of chemicals commercially available is growing with a recent estimate at over 350 000 chemicals, or mixtures thereof, available. Thus, wildlife will not only continue being at risk of chemical exposure but the range of chemicals they are exposed to is also likely to expand.
My doctoral research helps fill the knowledge gap of which chemicals wildlife are exposed to. Since many chemicals end up in waterbodies, I studied two species of waterbirds. In the first part of my research, I examined bisphenols, benzophenones, phthalate metabolites, benzotriazoles, benzothiazoles, parabens, triclosan, and triclocarban in plasma and eggs from common eiders from Finland.
Of the 58 chemicals I targeted, I detected 21 in at least one female and 17 in at least one egg. Across plasma and eggs, bisphenol A, benzophenone-3, and benzophenone-1 were the dominant chemicals. Another important finding is the presence of benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles in eiders. They are produced in large volumes and found in the aquatic environment, but there is little information on their occurrence in wildlife.
Neonicotinoids are also high production chemicals found in the aquatic environment with no published information on whether these chemicals are found in waterfowl. To help bridge this knowledge gap, I investigated neonicotinoids in the plasma of female common goldeneyes across Finland. I did not find any of the neonicotinoids I targeted indicating that neonicotinoid exposure of female common goldeneyes is not a major risk in Finland.
All in all, my doctoral research shows that waterbirds, illustrated by the eider, are exposed to a cocktail of chemicals, most of which we know very little about. Thus, more attention should be given to investigating these chemicals in wildlife and the environment to ensure that humans and wildlife alike can live healthy lives free from exposure to harmful chemicals.
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