A person with dark sweather and short reddish blonde hair looks into the camera. — Lutz Ahrens. Photo: Jenny Svennås-Gillner

Lutz Ahrens, professor of environmental organic chemistry

Page reviewed: 16/06/2025

Lutz Ahrens is a professor of environmental organic chemistry since 9 February 2023. His inauguration lecture has the title "Organic micropollutants in our drinking water - should we be concerned?"

Lutz Ahrens’ research addresses organic environmental pollutants for which there is a growing concern in society, such as PFAS, pharmaceutical and hygiene products. Ahrens’ fundamental questions address the origins of these pollutants, how they spread through the environment, how we can monitor them, and how we can reduce their presence in soil and water. A vital element of the research is on the development of screening and treatment methods. As part of this process, Ahrens collaborates extensively with municipal water treatment plants. His most recent focus is on developing an early warning system for identifying substances that may pose risks that we are not yet aware of.