Dataset Submitted

Per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in Fish Samples Collected Between January 2021 and January 2022 from the Greater Houston Gulf Bay Region

Authors: Garett Sansom
Identified On: Mar 10 2025 19:21 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/q0kmtr51
UDI: H4.x952.000:0009
Project Information

Funded By:
National Academies of Sciences Gulf Research Program

Funding Cycle:
Healthy Ecosystems 4

Research Group:
Development of Gulf Coast Resiliency Management Plan Using Sentinel Species and Natural Infrastructure

Point of Contact

Gioia Kennedy
Environmental Defense Fund
gkennedy@edf.org

Data Collection Period
2022-01-01
to
2023-04-01
Theme keywords

PFAS, Fish, tissue

Abstract:

This dataset captures the analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in fish samples collected from Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay, Texas, regions with known industrial contamination. The study was designed to investigate the presence and concentration of PFAS in fish tissue following the 2019 ITC Petrochemical Disaster, which involved the extensive use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams. Given the persistence of PFAS in the environment, this dataset provides crucial insights into potential human exposure risks through fish consumption. PFAS are synthetic chemicals known for their bioaccumulative properties and environmental persistence. This dataset was created to assess PFAS contamination in commonly consumed fish species and its potential health implications. The primary goal is to understand how industrial activities and past contamination events contribute to PFAS bioaccumulation, particularly for communities reliant on self-caught fish for dietary sustenance. A total of 39 fish fillet samples were collected from January 2021 to January 2022 across seven sampling trips. Fish species sampled include: Black Drum (Pogonias cromis) Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Speckled Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus) Samples were obtained from local fishermen following Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) size regulations and immediately placed on ice for transport to B&B Laboratories (College Station, TX) for preparation. PFAS extraction and analysis were conducted at the Agriculture & Priority Pollutants Laboratories, Inc., using Liquid Chromatography/Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A six-point calibration curve was employed, incorporating isotopically labeled internal standards for quality assurance. The dataset covers fish collected from Galveston Bay and Trinity Bay, Texas, over a one-year period from January 2021 to January 2022. Sampling locations included northwestern Burnet Bay, where PFAS concentrations were notably high. PFOS, PFOA, PFDA, and PFHxS were detected in at least 90% of samples. Total PFAS concentrations in these fish overlapped with nationwide PFAS surveys, highlighting a persistent contamination concern. PFAS levels in self-caught fish exceeded those in retail fish, emphasizing the disproportionate exposure risk for low-income or subsistence fishers. The dataset serves as a baseline for future monitoring and may inform public health advisories regarding PFAS exposure from fish consumption. This dataset provides a comprehensive examination of PFAS contamination in Gulf Coast fisheries, helping researchers, policymakers, and public health officials assess long-term risks associated with PFAS bioaccumulation in aquatic food sources.

Suggested Citation:

Garett Sansom. Per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in Fish Samples Collected Between January 2021 and January 2022 from the Greater Houston Gulf Bay Region. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/q0kmtr51

Purpose:

The tissue samples were collected to assess the presence and concentration of PFAS and specific analytes of interest. Analysis focused on detecting and quantifying a targeted list of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. This approach provided detailed data on contaminant levels within the sampled fish tissue.

Data Parameters and Units:

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) (ng/g wet weight) 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorododecane sulfonate (PFDS) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorononane sulfonate (PFNS) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) (ng/g wet weight) 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate (8:2 FTS) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (ng/g wet weight) Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA) (ng/g wet weight) N-Methylperfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA) (ng/g wet weight) Total PFAS concentration (ng/g wet weight) Percentage of samples detected (%)

Methods:

Sample Collection Fish samples were collected by hired local fishermen from the Houston Ship Channel and Trinity Bay over seven sampling trips from January 2021 to January 2022. This collection included three species: Black Drum, Red Drum (Red Fish), and Speckled Trout. The process adhered to the size regulations set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, ensuring that all fish met the mandatory length requirements. After capture, the fish were immediately placed in a cooler with ice to preserve their condition and transported to B&B Laboratories in College Station, TX, where tissue samples were prepared by homogenizing a separate portion and weighing approximately 1 gram (wet weight) into a separate vessel. An ion pairing agent was then added to each sample, and the sample was vortexed. Biota were sent to the Trace Element Research Laboratory (TERL) at Texas A&M University for metal analysis and extracted and analyzed at Agriculture & Priority Pollutants Laboratories, Inc. for PFAS. Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Determination by Liquid Chromatography/Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) Liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was used for the detection of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tissue samples. LC/MS/MS excels in separating and detecting heavier, more polar, and water-soluble analytes. The process involves a liquid mobile phase gradient shifting in polarity over time, typically from aqueous to organic. Analyte retention times depend on the mobile phase's pH and polarity and their interaction with the column, typically a reversed-phase C18 stationary phase. LC/MS/MS, using soft ionization, operates in both heated electrospray ionization (HESI) positive and negative modes, facilitating the formation of various adducts. For PFAS analysis, the system is set to HESI negative mode. The technique employs three quadrupoles for targeted analysis: the first selects the parent ion, the second (collision cell) fragments it into daughter ions, and the third isolates these transition ions. Calibration involves a six-point curve with all analytes of interest and isotopically labeled internal standards, verified by spiking a negative control matrix with second source reference materials. This calibration curve is used to plot the peak area ratios of analyte to internal standard against concentration, yielding a linear curve. This internal standard method and the extracted calibration curve correct for extraction deficiencies and ion suppression or enhancement.