What does this research mean for the field?

PFAS in the Savannah River Site ecosystems exhibit potential biomagnification and strong co-occurrence with metals in sediments, with significant biological accumulation occurring even in areas with low water and sediment concentrations. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to assess PFAS concentrations in various environmental media and their implications for ecosystem health.

March 26, 2026

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site: Spatial distribution, bioavailability, co-occurrence with metals, and potential biomagnification

Key Points

The aim is to assess PFAS concentrations in various environmental media and their implications for ecosystem health.
Analyzed PFAS concentrations in surface waters, sediments, and biota from 30 locations.
Contextualized findings within the history of environmental research at the Savannah River Site.
Conducted co-occurrence analyses between PFAS and 22 metals/metalloids.
Examined stable isotope signatures in impacted stream communities.
Total PFAS concentrations ranged from non-detect to 2,226 ng/L in water.
Fish showed elevated PFAS concentrations despite lower levels in sediment and water.
Strong positive correlations were found between PFAS and metal concentrations in sediments.
Certain long-chain PFAS were positively related to nitrogen isotope signatures, indicating potential biomagnification.

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent contaminants with the potential to adversely affect ecosystem health. Characterizing the spatial dynamics, bioavailability, and potential for biomagnification within exposed ecosystems is necessary for gauging potential risk to wildlife and humans. In this study, we analyzed PFAS concentrations in surface waters, sediments, and biota collected from 30 locations across watersheds on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS). The 800 km2 SRS was designated the Nation's first National Environmental Research Park in 1972, and we contextualize measured PFAS concentrations within a rich history of environmental and ecotoxicological research. Concentrations of total PFAS ranged from non-detect to 2,226 ng/L in water, 65 ng/g in sediment, and 158 ng/g in mosquitofish. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances concentrations in fish were elevated despite relatively low concentrations in water and sediment at some locations, demonstrating the importance of including biota for bioavailability assessments. Co-occurrence analyses of PFAS with 22 metals/metalloids revealed strong positive correlations between PFAS and metal concentrations in sediment. At the landscape scale, we identify linkages between PFAS concentrations and watershed landcover dynamics, including watershed size, proportion of watershed development, and sediment composition. Additionally, we examine PFAS concentrations and stable isotope signatures in an impacted stream community and find that sum PFAS, long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C8 up to C14), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, and 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid concentrations were positively related to nitrogen isotope signatures, indicating their potential biomagnification. Collectively, our study characterizes initial environmental and biological PFAS levels on the SRS within stream ecosystems and will serve as a guide for future ecotoxicological studies and risk assessments.

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