Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in marine and anadromous species sampled in the Southern Salish Sea
Data files
Apr 23, 2025 version files 422.91 KB
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README.md
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WDFW_2013_2018_PFAS_DATA.xlsx
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Abstract
In 2013 the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) began a preliminary study to determine the need for monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in response to concerns about the potential exposure in Puget Sound. Here we make publicly available a dataset for 13 PFAS that TBiOS tested for in four indicator species: caged bay mussels, juvenile and adult Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, and English sole. These data were collected during the winter and spring of 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2018 and included 126 samples spanning 64 unique sites. Samples consisted of individuals (adult Chinook salmon) or composites of multiple individuals (mussels, herring, English sole, and juvenile Chinook salmon), and included various matrices: muscle, liver, and whole bodies. All samples were tested for 13 distinct PFAS chemicals by SGS AXYS using Method MLA-043 Revision 8.
The data made available here were filtered to remove samples that did not pass quality control specifications. This included the removal of K, H, or MAX data which indicated qualitative concentration estimates or that surrogate or authentic recoveries were not within the method control limits set by the analytical laboratory. SGS AXYS provided one method blank for every lab set, and each lab set consisted of a maximum of 20 composite samples. No analytes were detected in the method blanks in this dataset.
These data have been referenced in the Washington State PFAS Action Plan and were also contributed to the publication by James et al., in 2023: “The screening and prioritization of contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environment based on multiple biological response measures.”
Analytical methods and reporting limits have improved markedly for PFAS since these preliminary studies were conducted and expanded SGS AXYS/EPA methods now cover 40 analytes. Sample hold times, the length of time between sample collection and final chemical analysis, were also variable. For these reasons, we caution that this preliminary dataset is best suited for prioritizing future work rather than for definitive conclusions in risk assessment.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.xksn02vsr
Description of the data and file structure
In 2013, WDFW’s TBiOS began a preliminary study to assess the need for PFAS monitoring in Puget Sound. This dataset includes concentrations of 13 PFAS compounds in four indicator species—bay mussels, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, and English sole—sampled between 2013 and 2018 at 64 sites. Samples were analyzed by SGS AXYS using Method MLA-043 Rev. 8, with quality control measures applied. While useful for identifying research priorities, the dataset reflects early analytical capabilities and variable sample hold times, and should not be used for definitive risk assessments.
Files and variables
File: WDFW_2013_2018_PFAS_DATA.xlsx
Description: An excel sheet to make available data for 13 per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that were tested across four species collected from 2013 to 2018 by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Chemical analyses were conducted using the analytical laboratory SGS AXYS (Method 043).
A summary of the number of the species, matrices, collection years, and numbers of samples and stations is provided the first tab entitld "Data Summary."
The underlying chemistry dataset is provided in the "Chemistry Data" tab, and column descriptions are provided below:
| Column Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Analyte | Chemical name as provided by SGS AXYS |
| CAS_NO | Chemical Abstract Registry number |
| Species | Species |
| Matrix | Type of sample (whole body fish, liver, brain, etc.) |
| SampleID | Sample identification number given to each whole body or muscle sample by TBiOS |
| StationID | Station identifier assigned by WDFW TBiOS |
| Latitude | Latitude associated with the sample collection |
| Longitude | Longitude associated with the sample collection |
| SamplingYear | The year in which the sample was collected |
| LabAnalysisYear | Year sample was run by the analytical lab |
| EXTRACTION_DATE | Date sample was extracted by the lab |
| Lab | Which lab completed the chemical analyses |
| LabMethod | Analytical method number including the specific revision number |
| CONC_FOUND | Determined concentration of analyte found in the sample in ng/g ww. Blank values were below detection limits |
| DETECTION_LIMIT | Concentration below which analytes could not reliably be detected in ng/g ww. SGS AXYS determines limits (termed Specific Detection Limits or SDLs) for each chemical and sample based on the sample mass and lowest calibration standard analyzed. Effects of the sample matrix on the detection system and recovery achieved through the analytical work up are accounted for by converting 3x the estimated chromatographic noise height to the concentration. Final reporting limits for each chemical and sample are calculated either as the lowest concentration in the calibration standard (lowest level calibration concentration x extract volume)/sample size), or as the SDL, if it is higher. |
| MethodBlank | Concentrations detected above the detection limit in method blank samples. N/A values are non-detects |
| Units | Concentration units for both detection limit and found concentration |
| ReportedAs | Analytical measurements reported as wet weight or dry weight |
| LAB_FLAG | Data qualifier specifying chemicals that were not detected above detection limits provided by the analytical laboratory (U). Analytes that did not meet quality control steps were removed from this dataset. N/A represents samples with no data flags |
| SampleWt | Sample weight |
| SAMPLE_SIZE_UNIT | Units of sample weight |
| PctMoisture | Percent moisture reported in sample. N/A represents samples where % moisture was not reported |