From source to receptor: PFAS fingerprints of AFFF, water, and AFFF-impacted fishproject period: 02 04 2025 through 02 03 2027PURPOSE: the purpose of this project is to investigate the sources,…

This Project Grant award, funded by the U.S. Geological Survey under the Assistance to State Water Resources Research Institutes program (CFDA 15.805), provides $619,292 to Oregon State University to investigate the sources, environmental pathways, and potential health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fish from the Columbia Slough and Columbia River in Oregon. The key activities include: developing chemical fingerprints to identify PFAS sources, advancing analytical methods for detecting and quantifying PFAS in fish and environmental samples, studying the transport and transformation of PFAS, and analyzing PFAS bioaccumulation and metabolism in fish. The project aims to provide comprehensive data and recommendations to regulatory agencies to improve fish consumption advisories and environmental protection strategies. The award period runs from February 4, 2025 to February 3, 2027.

From source to receptor: PFAS fingerprints of AFFF, water, and AFFF-impacted fishproject period: 02 04 2025 through 02 03 2027PURPOSE: the purpose of this project is to investigate the sources, environmental pathways, and potential health risks of PFAS in fish from the columbia slough and columbia river in oregon. This research aims to enhance understanding of PFAS contamination, identify specific sources, and provide crucial information for managing human and environmental health risks. Activities: develop chemical fingerprints: identify the chemical features that are most diagnostic of manufacturers and types of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), and screen fish tissues for the presence of AFFF and other PFAS sources. Advance analytical methods: utilize solid-state NMR to measure total fluorine in fish tissue, determine partition coefficients using biomimetic chromatography, and improve detection limits for PFAS in fatty tissues of fish (e.g., salmon). Transport and transformation analysis: study changes in PFAS and AFFF-derived chemical features along groundwater and surface water flow paths to understand how these chemicals move from source zones and transform in the environment. Bioaccumulation and metabolism study: calculate bioaccumulation factors for PFAS and other AFFF-related compounds in fish and compare these to chemical properties to infer metabolism processes. Outcomes: comprehensive chemical fingerprinting: establish detailed chemical fingerprints to distinguish AFFF and other PFAS sources in fish. Improved detection: develop advanced methods for detecting and quantifying PFAS in fish and other environmental samples. Enhanced understanding: gain insights into the transport, transformation, and bioaccumulation of PFAS, contributing to more accurate risk assessments. Risk management: provide data and recommendations to regulatory agencies to improve fish consumption advisories and environmental protection strategies. Beneficiaries: subsistence fishermen: individuals who rely on fish from the columbia slough and columbia river will benefit from improved safety guidelines. Regulatory agencies: organizations like the oregon health authority (OHA) and the oregon department of environmental quality (DEQ) will use the data to inform public health recommendations and environmental regulations. Scientific community: researchers will gain new tools and methodologies for studying PFAS and other environmental contaminants. Sub-recipient activities: from source to receptor: PFAS fingerprints of AFFF, water, and AFFF-impacted fish 3 USGS collaboration: the united states geological survey will assist in sample collection, provide fish samples, and compare analytical methods to ensure robust data analysis. Oregon OHA and DEQ coordination: these agencies will provide support and use the findings to modify fish consumption advisories and enhance regulatory frameworks. This project will leverage chemical forensics and data science to identify PFAS sources and flow paths, ensuring that decisions regarding environmental and human health are based on comprehensive and accurate data.