PFAS in largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) and banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) from Select Waterbodies in Massachusetts

This study assessed site-specific differences in PFAS in fish from Ashumet Pond (2020 & 2022), Sudbury River (2023), and Great Herring Pond (reference site; 2022) in Massachusetts. Largemouth bass were collected from all sites and banded killifish were collected from Ashumet Pond only. Health assessments were performed and included histology of the liver, spleen, kidneys, gonad, and any abnormalities. Plasma was tested for 40 PFAS analytes. Pieces of liver were analyzed for the abundance of gene transcripts associated with contaminant metabolism, thyroid function, immune function, stress, oxidative stress, etc. Largemouth bass collected from Ashumet Pond in 2020 were also tested for PFAS in the muscle and liver. Whole banded killifish were analyzed for PFAS for a trophic-level comparison to largemouth bass.