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https://nordictimes.com/environment/high-levels-of-pfas-in-european-wines/

Environment

High levels of PFAS in European wines

Published 25 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
All the wines tested contained high levels of the PFAS substance TFA.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A new study shows that European wine contains PFAS levels up to a thousand times higher than tap water, with some of the most contaminated bottles ranking among the top sellers.

In a collaboration with various European environmental organizations within the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe), which includes the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, 49 different red and white wines have been analyzed for PFAS.

The results show that all the wines tested contain high levels of the PFAS substance TFA. The presence of TFA has increased at a record rate in recent years, but wines from 1988 and earlier contain nothing of the substance, while the levels have exploded from 2020 onwards. These wines contain between 21 000 and 320 000 nanograms of TFA per liter.

– The grapes are likely to have been contaminated via the water they were watered with, but also from PFAS pesticides. This is a clear example of how our food is affected when PFAS is spread in nature, said Karin Lexén, Secretary General of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, in a press release.

One of the worst wines with high levels of TFAs is Systembolaget’s best-selling bottled red wine, the French Grand Sud Merlot. The wine contains 220,000 nanograms of TFA per liter, which is about a thousand times more than the Swedish tap water tested by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation last year.

– This shows what PFAS emissions lead to and how widespread the spread is. We have a PFAS crisis and these harmful substances that never break down in nature are seeping into more and more of our food – even wine, says Lexén.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Facts: TFA

Trifluoroacetic acid is a chemical used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, among others. It belongs to the PFAS family and is very difficult to break down in nature. TFA can be formed as a breakdown product of other fluorinated substances and is easily dispersed in water, making it problematic for the environment.

TFAs are harmful to aquatic organisms and are being investigated for adverse effects on fetal development. However, there is no EU-wide limit for TFA, although the Netherlands has introduced a national limit of 2 200 nanograms per liter for drinking water.

Source: Naturskyddsföreningen

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https://nordictimes.com/environment/swedes-earn-money-clearing-invasive-species/

Environment

Swedes earn money clearing invasive species

Biodiversity

Published 28 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Large-leaved lupines are beautiful - but highly invasive.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Through a mobile game, individuals can “play” by heading out into nature, removing invasive plants, and even getting paid for their efforts. This year, seven Swedish municipalities are testing the game.

The Crowdsorsa mobile game has been used in Finland for three consecutive years, where last year it removed invasive plants from 7000 observations. It is also available in Canada.

This year, the municipalities of Hagfors, Örebro, Sunne, Karlsborg, Lilla Edet, Tanum and Falun are trying it out. The idea is that individuals find invasive plants, either via the map in the app or by themselves, remove them and get paid. As proof, they must film before and after clearing.

The total budget for this year in Sweden is SEK 126,000 (€11,600), which individuals can “play” for. At most, you can earn SEK 200 (€18.5) per hour, with the municipality responsible for paying out the reward.

“Fun way to work”

Last year, it was also successfully used in Hagfors and Örebro. In Hagfors, a total of 17 different teams played.

– The players did a great job! We think it’s a fun way to work with invasive alien species and an effective way to reach the public – and especially young people – with knowledge about invasive species, says municipal ecologist Katarina Karlsson in Hagfors municipality to Natursidan.

Invasive species often spread quickly and can displace native species, which in turn can damage the ecosystem. The game starts already in June, where, among other things, large-leaved lupine, Himalayan balsam and Canadian goldenrod will be removed.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/environment/lion-population-growing-in-india/

Environment

Lion population growing in India

Published 25 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
An Asiatic lion cub waiting for food.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Asian lions have seen a strong resurgence in India in recent years. A new count shows that the population has increased by over 30 percent in just five years.

The number of Asian lions in the state of Gujarat in western India has risen from 674 individuals in 2020 to 891, according to the latest official count (May 10–13, 2025), reports The Independent. This represents an increase of 32 percent.

The lions live mainly in and around Gir National Park – the only area in the world where this subspecies of lion exists in the wild.

The new figure was recently announced by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

– The number of lions in the state has gradually increased not just because of favorable geography and climate, but due to our government’s consistent and careful approach to wildlife conservation, said Patel.

Growing population

Over the past decade, the population has grown steadily, and lions have now spread to eleven districts in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, where they can be observed in forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and even coastal areas.

Of the 891 individuals, 196 are adult males, 330 are adult females, 140 are young adults (sub-adults), and 225 are cubs, according to state government figures.

Gujarat attributes the success to several efforts: regular monitoring, enhanced veterinary care, water and feed resources in the wild, and programs to reduce conflicts between humans and predators.

Drones, sensors, and camera traps are also used in an extensive monitoring network.

Vulnerability remains

Despite the increase, however, the lions remain vulnerable. The species is classified as vulnerable on the international red list, and threats include genetic inbreeding, diseases that can spread rapidly in the densely concentrated population, and fires and floods in the Gir Forest.

Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Secretary for Forest and Environment in Gujarat, explains.

– The holding capacity of national park and sanctuaries will be increased by intervention and habitat improvement. There is still scope of increasing the holding capacity and the forest and environment department is working in that direction.

Gujarat has previously opposed proposals to transplant parts of the population to other parts of India, including the state of Madhya Pradesh, which has led to debate within the country’s environmental movement.

Asian lions (Panthera leo persica) are genetically and physically distinct from their African relatives. They are slightly smaller in size, have shorter manes in males, and live in smaller prides.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

FACTS: Gir National Park

  • Location: Located in the state of Gujarat, western India
  • Established: 1965 (as a national park; the reserve was established earlier, in 1913)
  • Area: Approximately 1,412 square kilometers (including the national park and adjacent wildlife sanctuary)
  • Purpose: To preserve the last wild population of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)
  • Ecosystem: Dry deciduous forest, savannah, and scrub forest with semi-desert elements
  • Animal species: In addition to Asiatic lions, there are leopards, spotted hyenas, Indian crocodiles (mugger crocodiles), axis deer (chital), sambar deer, and over 300 bird species
  • Threats: Forest fires, drought, genetic inbreeding, disease, and human impact such as habitat loss and conflicts with humans

https://nordictimes.com/environment/antarctic-ice-levels-show-recent-growth/

Environment

Antarctic ice levels show recent growth

Published 25 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Between 2021 and 2023, the ice mass increased by an average of 108 gigatonnes per year - likely due to increased precipitation.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Antarctica has long been associated with melting ice – but between 2021 and 2023, new research shows unexpected growth.

Using NASA satellite data, researchers from Tongji University in China measured Antarctic ice masses between 2002 and 2023, focusing mainly on four East Antarctic glacier areas – Denman, Moscow, Totten and Vincennes Bay – located in the Wilkes Land-Queen Mary Land area.

Over the period 2002-2010, the ice mass in Antarctica decreased by an average of 74 gigatons per year, the results, presented in Science China Earth Sciences, show. Furthermore, the ice mass decreased further between 2011 and 2020, with the loss reaching 142 gigatons per year. This has contributed to a sharp rise in sea levels.

Despite the significant decrease, the trend reversed dramatically between 2021 and 2023, when the ice mass increased by an average of 108 gigatonnes per year. The main reason is believed to be that the area had high precipitation compared to previous years. This has contributed to an average increase in sea levels of 0.3 millimeters per year.

The researchers emphasize that the increase may be a temporary trend and does not necessarily mean that ice masses will continue to increase.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/environment/chemicals-in-electronic-waste-may-damage-cells/

Environment

Chemicals in electronic waste may damage cells

Published 24 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Electronic waste contains carcinogens, according to research from Örebro University and others. The chemicals in the waste can cause hormone disruption and inflammation in human cells.

There is still limited research on how plastics and other materials in waste affect health and the environment. Researchers at Linköping University, Örebro University and the RISE research institute have investigated how chemicals from plastic in electronic waste affect human cells. They used the technique of “cell painting”, where different parts of cells were stained with fluorescent markers.

– Using advanced microscopy, we can take thousands of images of a cell and compare it to a cell exposed to chemicals from e-waste. We also perform image analysis using CellProfiler software, which detects cellular changes that are too subtle for the human eye, says Andi Alijagic in a press release.

The study, published in Environmental Research, shows that electronic waste contains a mix of hazardous chemicals. The researchers found polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organophosphates and phthalates – substances that are already known to have harmful effects on health. PAHs contain carcinogens, for example.

Exposure to these chemicals was found to cause inflammatory reactions in cells, a process that often underlies various diseases. The researchers also noted that the chemicals affected hormone signaling, which can have negative effects on reproductive health in both women and men.

The researchers emphasize that the chemicals must be managed during recycling to prevent their release into the environment.

– We throw away huge amounts of electronics every day, and the chemicals could affect human health if they end up in soil and water, says Alijagic.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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