Comparative toxicity assessment of alternative versus legacy PFAS: Implications for two primary trophic levels in freshwater ecosystems

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are common environmental pollutants, but their toxicity framework remains elusive. This research focused on ten PFAS, evaluating their impacts on two ecotoxicologically relevant model organisms from distinct trophic levels: the crustacean Daphnia magna and the unicellular green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata. The results showed a greater sensitivity of R. subcapitata compared to D. magna. However, a 10-day follow-up to the 48 h immobilisation test in D. magna showed delayed mortality, underlining the limitations of relying on EC