Occurrence and tissue distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fishes from waterbodies with point and non-point sources in Massachusetts, USA

Heather L. Walsh; Vicki S. Blazer; Emma Lord; Stephen T. Hurley; Denis R. LeBlanc

doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107499

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70269443

Occurrence and tissue distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fishes from waterbodies with point and non-point sources in Massachusetts, USA

Heather L. Walsh·Vicki S. Blazer·Emma Lord·Stephen T. Hurley·Denis R. LeBlanc

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with known bioaccumulative and toxic effects in aquatic ecosystems. This study assessed site-specific differences in PFAS contamination in fish from Ashumet Pond, Sudbury River, and Great Herring Pond (reference site) in Massachusetts. Fish from Ashumet Pond exhibited the highest PFAS concentrations, particularly perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which exceeded levels in plasma almost 650 times those at the reference site. Principal component analysis identified distinct PFAS profiles at each site, reflecting localized contamination sources. Temporal analysis at Ashumet Pond revealed a substantial increase in plasma PFOS and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) from 2020 to 2022. Tissue distribution analyses showed the highest PFAS concentrations in plasma, followed by liver and muscle, consistent with PFAS binding affinity for blood proteins. Species-specific differences in PFAS bioaccumulation were observed, with largemouth bass ( Micropterus nigricans ) exhibiting higher body burdens than banded killifish ( Diaphanus fundulus ), likely due to trophic position and dietary exposure. Histopathological assessments and gene transcript analyses revealed associations between PFAS exposure and inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and immune-related pathways, with the most pronounced molecular effects observed at the downstream site of the Sudbury River. This study underscores the importance of understanding site-specific contamination sources, exposure pathways, and biological effects of PFAS in fish. These findings would benefit from additional research on sediment contamination, temporal analyses at each site, trophic transfer, and transcriptomic analyses across multiple organs to further elucidate PFAS toxicity mechanisms and guide remediation efforts.

Explore related subjects

Aquatic Toxicology Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.237964° to 42.886589° latitude; -73.508142° to -69.928261° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer, Emma Lord, Stephen T. Hurley, Denis R. LeBlanc. 2025. Occurrence and tissue distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fishes from waterbodies with point and non-point sources in Massachusetts, USA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107499

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

PFAS exposure suppresses leaf litter decomposition in a stream ecosystem

Decomposition of organic matter is critical to the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients in all ecosystems. In streams, decomposition can be influenced by anthropogenic impacts, including contaminants. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are resistant to degradation and widespread in freshwater ecosystems, yet little is known about their influence on organic matter processing in streams. We paired an observational field study of a PFAS-impacted stream via food processing wastewater with a 28-day laboratory experiment to investigate PFAS effects on leaf litter processing using multiple lines of evidence. Leaf litter decomposition rates and microbial respiration were significantly lower downstream of the PFAS point-source compared to the paired upstream site. We hypothesized that PFAS suppressed microbial activity thereby resulting in slower decomposition rates. To investigate further and better isolate PFAS, we dosed aquatic mesocosms containing leaf packs with differing concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Over the 28-day incubation, decomposition rates did not differ, but we observed lower respiration rates on day 28 and higher dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in PFOS-dosed mesocosms, suggesting that PFAS may suppress microbial activity and inhibit carbon processing. These results underscore that concerns regarding PFAS contamination extend beyond organismal toxicity to ecosystem-level effects. Further research is needed to understand the scale, implications, and mechanisms responsible for these changes.

Upper Mississippi River Basin↗

USGS2025

Incidence of pollution, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic ecosystems: A review

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistently accumulated in both environmental media and biological systems, leading to significant toxicological effects. Although research on PFAS has expanded in recent years, systematic reviews on its concentration distribution in aquatic environments and biota, as well as its toxicological effects, remain scarce. Moreover, existing literature lacks systematic analyses of diverse aquatic environments and organisms. This review investigates the contamination levels of PFAS in aquatic environments. It also provides a systematic analysis of bioaccumulation in planktonic, swimming, and benthic organisms, including bioaccumulation factors (BAF), biomagnification factors (BMF), trophic magnification factors (TMF), and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAF), and evaluates the potential toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to provide theoretical support for the environmental regulation and management of PFAS. Additionally, it seeks to offer data references and potential research directions for future studies, thereby promoting the advancement of PFAS-related research and policy development.

Aquatic Toxicology↗

USGS2025

Establishment of a cell culture from Daphnia magna as an in vitro model for (eco)toxicology assays: Case study using Bisphenol A as a representative cytotoxic and endocrine disrupting chemical

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial compound found in polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resin, and various polymer materials, leading to its ubiquitous presence in the environment. The toxicity of BPA to aquatic organisms has been well documented following in vivo exposure scenarios, with known cytotoxic and endocrine-disrupting effects. As such, BPA was used in this study as a well-characterized chemical to implement more ethical and resource-efficient scientific practices in toxicity testing through new approach methods (NAMs). Due to the frequent use of Daphnia spp. as a model organism in toxicology, we developed an in vitro cell culture system from Daphnia magna embryos, with optimized medium to support cell longevity. The cultures were maintained for up to two months, demonstrating their stability and suitability for cytotoxicity studies. Using this novel system, lethal concentration 50 (LC 50 ) values were determined at the 24 and 48 h time points following BPA exposure. Subsequently, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and DNA damage were assessed through gene expression, activity assays, and a comet assay in BPA-exposed cells. LC 50 values of 52 µM and 20 µM BPA were calculated after 24 and 48 h exposures, respectively. BPA cells exposed to 20 and 52 µM had significantly increased GSH, GPx, and GST activity levels. mRNA expression analysis revealed significant upregulations in the expression of hsp70, hsp90, gst, gpx, vtg1 , and cyp4 , with downregulations of sod, cat , and ecr following BPA exposure. Furthermore, comet assays showed a significantly higher level of DNA damage induced by BPA compared to controls, with greater comet and tail lengths. This study established a novel in vitro Daphnia model, using BPA as a case study for determining toxic effects, further highlighting the importance and applicability of utilizing alternative methods in ecotoxicological research through reducing animal use.

Aquatic Toxicology↗