Maria Larsson
Position: Researcher School/office: School of Science and TechnologyEmail: maria.larsson@oru.se
Phone: +46 19 301370
Room: B3313

About Maria Larsson
My research area is environmental chemistry focusing on identification, exposure and receptor-mediated mixture effects (cocktail effects) of organic pollutants in complex mixtures. I am using an effect-directed analysis (EDA) approach, combining GC/MS and LC/MS analysis, and mechanism-specific bioreporter assays and high-resolution fractionation techniques for chemical and toxicological characterization and identification of key toxicants in complex mixtures, like soil, air and dust. Special focus is on polycyclic aromatic compounds.
I am the lab director of the bioanalytical laboratory in the Environment and Health group at MTM Research Centre.
Research projects
Active projects
- Effect-based strategy for identification and assessment of potential health effects of hazardous organic chemicals in indoor environments
- Fish & Cocktails
- Identifiera: Identification of toxicity driving polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC s) for improving environmental risk assessment of contaminated sites
- Mixture-Risk
- PAC-Risk
- PFAS-Risk
- The status of ecosystem functions of polluted lands assessed in situ using plant, soil and microbial indicators
- Ensuring Sustainable Substitution: Learning from the corporate phase-out of PFAS in outdoor clothing
Completed projects
- APPLICERA: Applicable site-specific environmental risk assessment of contaminated soils
- Bioanalytical screening of POPs in otters
- Bioanalytical studies of soils and sediments
- Biokol - Från organiskt avfall till resurs för nyttiggörande av jordavfall
- Chemical and toxicological characterisation of PAHs and related compounds in road dust
- EPHEMARE - Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in marine ecosystems
- NanoSafety Project
- Environmental and health effects of fire fighting foams
- SOILEFFECT: Development of bioreporter-based survey and health risk assessment of toxic chemicals in contaminated areas
- SOILTOX: processoptimering och innovation av marksaneringsmetoder med hjälp av bioanalytiska toxicitetstester
Research groups
Publications
Articles in journals
- Nilén, G. , Larsson, M. , Hyötyläinen, T. & Keiter, S. (2024). A complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic compounds causes embryotoxic, behavioral, and molecular effects in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio), and in vitro bioassays. Science of the Total Environment, 906.
- Alijagic, A. , Scherbak, N. , Kotlyar, O. , Karlsson, P. , Wang, X. , Odnevall, I. , Benada, O. , Amiryousefi, A. & et al. (2023). A Novel Nanosafety Approach Using Cell Painting, Metabolomics, and Lipidomics Captures the Cellular and Molecular Phenotypes Induced by the Unintentionally Formed Metal-Based (Nano)Particles. Cells, 12 (2).
- Sjöström, Y. , Hagström, K. , Lindh, C. , Bryngelsson, I. , Larsson, M. & Hagberg, J. (2023). Exposure to phthalates and DiNCH among preschool children in Sweden: Urinary metabolite concentrations and predictors of exposure. International journal of hygiene and environmental health (Print), 250.
- Eriksson, U. , Titaley, I. A. , Engwall, M. & Larsson, M. (2022). Examination of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities, and levels of polyaromatic compounds (PACs) in tire granulates using in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis. Chemosphere, 298.
- Titaley, I. A. , Delgado Trine, L. S. , Wang, T. , Duberg, D. , Davis, E. L. , Engwall, M. , Massey Simonich, S. L. & Larsson, M. (2022). Extensive chemical and bioassay analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds in a creosote-contaminated superfund soil following steam enhanced extraction. Environmental Pollution, 312.
- Nilén, G. , Obamwonyi, O. S. , Liem-Nguyen, V. , Engwall, M. , Larsson, M. & Keiter, S. (2022). Observed and predicted embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of organic and inorganic environmental pollutants and their mixtures in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Aquatic Toxicology, 248.
- Titaley, I. , Lam, M. M. , Bülow, R. , Enell, A. , Wiberg, K. & Larsson, M. (2021). Characterization of polycyclic aromatic compounds in historically contaminated soil by targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis combined with in vitro bioassay. Environmental Pollution, 289.
- Cormier, B. , Le Bihanic, F. , Cabar, M. , Crebassa, J. , Blanc, M. , Larsson, M. , Dubocq, F. , Yeung, L. W. Y. & et al. (2021). Chronic feeding exposure to virgin and spiked microplastics disrupts essential biological functions in teleost fish. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 415.
- Volchko, Y. , Berggren Kleja, D. , Back, P. , Tiberg, C. , Enell, A. , Larsson, M. , Jones, C. M. , Taylor, A. & et al. (2020). Assessing costs and benefits of improved soil quality management in remediation projects: A study of an urban site contaminated with PAH and metals. Science of the Total Environment, 707.
- Titaley, I. A. , Eriksson, U. & Larsson, M. (2020). Rapid extraction method of polycyclic aromatic compounds in soil using basic silica selective pressurized liquid extraction. Journal of Chromatography A, 1618.
- Titaley, I. , Massey Simonich, S. L. & Larsson, M. (2020). Recent Advances in the Study of the Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Compound (PAC)-Contaminated Soils: Transformation Products, Toxicity, and Bioavailability Analyses. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 7 (12), 873-882.
- Schönlau, C. , Larsson, M. , Lam, M. M. , Engwall, M. , Giesy, J. P. , Rochman, C. & Kärrman, A. (2019). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated potencies in field-deployed plastics vary by type of polymer. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26 (9), 9097-9088.
- Meyer-Alert, H. , Larsson, M. , Hollert, H. & Keiter, S. (2019). Benzo[a]pyrene and 2,3-benzofuran induce divergent temporal patterns of AhR-regulated responses in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 183.
- Schönlau, C. , Larsson, M. , Dubocq, F. , Rotander, A. , Van der Zande, R. , Engwall, M. & Kärrman, A. (2019). Effect-Directed Analysis of Ah Receptor-Mediated Potencies in Microplastics Deployed in a Remote Tropical Marine Environment. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 7.
- Meyer-Alert, H. , Ladermann, K. , Larsson, M. , Schiwy, S. , Hollert, H. & Keiter, S. H. (2018). A temporal high-resolution investigation of the Ah-receptor pathway during early development of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Aquatic Toxicology, 204, 117-129.
- Lam, M. M. , Bülow, R. , Engwall, M. , Giesy, J. P. & Larsson, M. (2018). Methylated PACs Are More Potent than Their Parent Compounds: A Study on AhR-mediated Activity, Degradability and Mixture Interactions in the H4IIE-luc Assay. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 37 (5), 1409-1419.
- Lam, M. M. , Engwall, M. , Denison, M. S. & Larsson, M. (2018). Methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and/or their metabolites are important contributors to the overall estrogenic activity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 37 (2), 385-397.
- Larsson, M. , Lam, M. M. , van Hees, P. , Giesy, J. P. & Engwall, M. (2018). Occurrence and leachability of polycyclic aromatic compounds in contaminated soils: Chemical and bioanalytical characterization. Science of the Total Environment, 622-623, 1476-1484.
- Hafner, C. , Gartiser, S. , Garcia-Kaeufer, M. , Schiwy, S. , Hercher, C. , Meyer, W. , Achten, C. , Larsson, M. & et al. (2015). Investigations on sediment toxicity of German rivers applying a standardized bioassay battery. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22 (21), 16358-16370.
- Larsson, M. , Giesy, J. P. & Engwall, M. (2014). AhR-mediated activities of polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) mixtures are predictable by the concept of concentration addition. Environment International, 73, 94-103.
- Westman, O. , Larsson, M. , Venizelos, N. , Hollert, H. & Engwall, M. (2014). An oxygenated metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene increases hepatic beta-oxidation of fatty acids in chick embryos. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21 (9), 6243-6251.
- Larsson, M. , Hagberg, J. , Giesy, J. P. & Engwall, M. (2014). Time-dependent relative potency factors for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives in the H4IIE-luc bioassay. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 33 (4), 943-953.
- Larsson, M. , Hagberg, J. , Rotander, A. , van Bavel, B. & Engwall, M. (2013). Chemical and bioanalytical characterisation of PAHs in risk assessment of remediated PAH-contaminated soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20 (12), 8511-8520.
- Buitrago, B. H. , Munoz, P. F. , Ribe, V. , Larsson, M. , Engwall, M. , Wojciechowska, E. & Waara, S. (2013). Hazard assessment of sediments from a wetland system for treatment of landfill leachate using bioassays. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 97, 255-262.
- Engwall, M. , Venizelos, N. , Westman, O. , Larsson, M. , Nordén, M. , Hollert, H. & Johansson, J. (2013). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) reduce hepatic beta-oxidation of fatty acids in chick embryos. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20 (3), 1881-1888.
- Larsson, M. , Orbe, D. & Engwall, M. (2012). Exposure time-dependent effects on the relative potencies and additivity of PAHs in the Ah receptor-based H4IIE-luc bioassay. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 31 (5), 1149-1157.
Articles, reviews/surveys
- Alijagic, A. , Hedbrant, A. , Persson, A. , Larsson, M. , Engwall, M. & Särndahl, E. (2023). NLRP3 inflammasome as a sensor of micro- and nanoplastics immunotoxicity. Frontiers in Immunology, 14.
- Alijagic, A. , Engwall, M. , Särndahl, E. , Karlsson, H. , Hedbrant, A. , Andersson, L. , Karlsson, P. , Dalemo, M. & et al. (2022). Particle Safety Assessment in Additive Manufacturing: From Exposure Risks to Advanced Toxicology Testing. Frontiers in Toxicology, 4.
- Lundstedt, S. , Bandowe, B. A. M. , Wilcke, W. , Boll, E. , Christensen, J. H. , Vila, J. , Grifoll, M. , Faure, P. & et al. (2014). First intercomparison study on the analysis of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) and nitrogen heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic compounds (N-PACs) in contaminated soil. TrAC. Trends in analytical chemistry, 57, 83-92.
Conference papers
- Alijagic, A. , Scherbak, N. , Kotlyar, O. , Karlsson, P. , Persson, A. , Hedbrant, A. , Norinder, U. , Larsson, M. & et al. (2022). Cell Painting unveils cell response signatures to (nano)particles formed in additive manufacturing. In: Toxicology Letters. Paper presented at XVIth International Congress of Toxicology (ICT 2022) - UNITING IN TOXICOLOGY, Maastricht, The Netherlands, September 18-21, 2022. (pp. S226-S227). Elsevier.
- Larsson, M. , Orbe, D. & Engwall, M. (2012). Ah receptor activating capacity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives. In: Toxicology Letters. Elsevier.
- Westman, O. , Nordén, M. , Larsson, M. , Venizelos, N. , Hollert, H. & Engwall, M. (2012). Reduced beta-oxidation in avian following exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In: Toxicology Letters. Elsevier.
Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries
- Larsson, M. (2013). Chemical and bioanalytical characterisation of PAH-contaminated soils: identification, availability and mixture toxicity of AhR agonists. (Doctoral dissertation). (Comprehensive summary) Örebro: Örebro universitet.
Manuscripts
- Westman, O. , Larsson, M. , Venizelos, N. , Hollert, H. & Engwall, M. An oxygenated metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene increases hepatic β-oxidation of fatty acids in chick embryos.
- Larsson, M. , Hagberg, J. , Rotander, A. , van Bavel, B. & Engwall, M. Chemical and bioanalytical characterisation of PAHs in risk assessment of remediated PAH-contaminated soils.
- Westman, O. , Larsson, M. , Hollert, H. & Engwall, M. Comparative study and characterization of mutagenicity and AhR-agonistic potency of contaminated soil, remediated soil, urban city soil and rural soil.
- Larsson, M. , Giesy, J. P. & Engwall, M. Concentration-addition in risk assessment : prediction of potential AhR-mediated activity in multiple polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) mixtures.
- Lam, M. M. , Bülow, R. , Engwall, M. , Giesy, J. P. & Larsson, M. Methylated PACs are more potent than their parent compounds : a study on AhR-mediated activity, degradability and mixture interactions in the H4IIE-luc assay.
- Lam, M. M. , Engwall, M. , Denison, M. S. , Giesy, J. P. & Larsson, M. Polyoxymethylene (POM) is a suitable tool for effect-based hazard assessment of PAC-contaminated soil.
- Schönlau, C. , Holmes, B. , Larsson, M. , Engwall, M. & Kärrman, A. Screening for bioactivities in three types of microplastics deployed in Swedish aquatic environments using a battery of reporter gene assays.
- Rijk, I. , Ekblad, A. , Dahlin, A. S. , Enell, A. , Larsson, M. , Leroy, P. , Berggren Kleja, D. , Tiberg, C. & et al. The effects of biochar and peat amendment on the nitrogen cycle in a metal- and PAH-contaminated urban soil : results from a field trial.
- Larsson, M. , Hagberg, J. , Giesy, J. P. & Engwall, M. Time-dependent relative potency factors (REPS) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives in the h4iie-luc.
Reports
- Kärrman, A. , Bjurlid, F. , Hagberg, J. , Ricklund, N. , Larsson, M. , Stubleski, J. & Hollert, H. (2016). Study of environmental and human health impacts of firefighting agents: A technical report. Örebro, Sweden: Örebro University.
- Engwall, M. & Larsson, M. (2009). Bioanalys av organiska föroreningars biotillgänglighet: tillämpning i sanerade massor. Stockholm: Naturvårdsverket (Rapport 5931).