Environmental fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS can be from direct and indirect releases or emissions of PFAS from producers or industrial facilities manufacturing PFAS (outlined in red). Primary sources (outlined in orange) include consumer goods, PFAS-containing firefighting foams, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants.
Images
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Environmental fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS can be from direct and indirect releases or emissions of PFAS from producers or industrial facilities manufacturing PFAS (outlined in red). Primary sources (outlined in orange) include consumer goods, PFAS-containing firefighting foams, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants.
Source to Outcome Research Framework that was updated from the 2022 Source to Receptor Research Framework
Source to Outcome Research Framework that was updated from the 2022 Source to Receptor Research Framework
Urban stormwater drains are used to channel runoff from precipitation away from roads for treatment and to prevent flooding. Contaminants in water can also be transported through stormwater systems in rain and snowmelt runoff.
Urban stormwater drains are used to channel runoff from precipitation away from roads for treatment and to prevent flooding. Contaminants in water can also be transported through stormwater systems in rain and snowmelt runoff.
![A bird dives underwater in a tank.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/DivingDuck.jpg?itok=G25Ta75U)
Long-tailed duck diving for underwater hearing testing in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
Long-tailed duck diving for underwater hearing testing in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
![a bird egg is held up to a light to see inside the egg.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/GreyCatbirdEggCandling-Karouna.jpg?itok=7u3afv2B)
Candling (the process of using light to help determine the quality of an egg) of a grey catbird egg to determine viability.
Candling (the process of using light to help determine the quality of an egg) of a grey catbird egg to determine viability.
![Bird (surf scoter) places its beak in underwater pipes.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/SurfScoterHearingTest-McGrew.png?itok=YCl2quMz)
Surf Scoter completing an underwater behavioral hearing test in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
Surf Scoter completing an underwater behavioral hearing test in an experimental chamber in which the birds’ diving behavior can be studied under various environmental conditions.
Composite image showing five life stages of a Long-tailed duck, from hatch to subadult.
Composite image showing five life stages of a Long-tailed duck, from hatch to subadult.
Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera
Water samples are extracted for pesticides at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory.
Photo credit: Elisabeth LaBarbera
Co-extracted matrix is removed from biosolids prior to analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL).
Photo Credit: Gabby Black.
Co-extracted matrix is removed from biosolids prior to analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL).
Photo Credit: Gabby Black.
![Analytical laboratory machines site on top of a lab table.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/NontargetAnalysisLCHRMS.png?itok=SU_N6IC0)
Suspect screening/non-target analysis is done with LC-HRMS at the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) in Sacramento, CA.
Photo credit: Michelle Hladik
Suspect screening/non-target analysis is done with LC-HRMS at the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL) in Sacramento, CA.
Photo credit: Michelle Hladik
![Bumble bees in sample containers on a tray.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/BeesforResidueAnalysis.png?itok=wvgGOGK-)
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
Bumble bees being prepped for pesticide residue analysis at the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory (OCRL), California.
A USGS scientist analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
A USGS scientist analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
USGS scientist Tylor Rosera analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
linkUSGS scientist Tylor Rosera analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
USGS scientist Tylor Rosera analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
linkUSGS scientist Tylor Rosera analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
![Juvenile Coho Salmon in a tank.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/6ppd-quinone_thumbnail.png?itok=CETZJ5LC)
Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) behavior is assessed following exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.
Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) behavior is assessed following exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.
![Conceptual diagram showing sources, movement and fate of microplastic particles in the environment.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/USGS_MicroplasticsDiagram.png?itok=gaeT4RUX)
Due to multiple reasons including the widespread use of microplastics, their environmental persistence, the global connectedness of aquatic environments, and the long-range transport of microplastics, these particles have been documented in every environmental compartment (e.g., air, water, soils).
Due to multiple reasons including the widespread use of microplastics, their environmental persistence, the global connectedness of aquatic environments, and the long-range transport of microplastics, these particles have been documented in every environmental compartment (e.g., air, water, soils).
The USGS One Health approach addresses the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
The USGS One Health approach addresses the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
![Green dye lights up water in a stream around fallen tree trunks.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/thumbnail_dye_logjam.jpg?itok=_4-t1MKR)
Water tracing dye was injected into a stream in Leadville, Colorado, to identify locations of metal loading and to guide geophysical measurements.
Water tracing dye was injected into a stream in Leadville, Colorado, to identify locations of metal loading and to guide geophysical measurements.
![Instrumentation set up in a valley near a mountain.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/thumbnail_Cement_DTS_solar.jpg?itok=ILxwqWgq)
A fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton, Colorado.
linkA long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
A fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton, Colorado.
linkA long-term fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing monitoring array installed along Cement Creek near Silverton CO to track acid mine influenced groundwater discharge to the creek over time.
A Citizen Science Flyer requesting people to mail in deceased butterflies, moths, and skippers to help begin a USGS Scientific Collection to further research related to the decline of insect populations.
A Citizen Science Flyer requesting people to mail in deceased butterflies, moths, and skippers to help begin a USGS Scientific Collection to further research related to the decline of insect populations.
Specimens from a USGS Lepidoptera Research Collection stored at the Kansas WSC Organic Geochemistry Reseearch Laboratory. Specimens are received as part of a Citizen Science effort to establish a collection to further insect research.
Specimens from a USGS Lepidoptera Research Collection stored at the Kansas WSC Organic Geochemistry Reseearch Laboratory. Specimens are received as part of a Citizen Science effort to establish a collection to further insect research.
Smallmouth Bass are good indicators of methylmercury exposure to humans and wildlife because they are a common, popular sport fish and eat a variety of food during their lifetime. Juvenile Smallmouth Bass – smaller than 150mm in length - eat zooplankton, or microscopic animals.
Smallmouth Bass are good indicators of methylmercury exposure to humans and wildlife because they are a common, popular sport fish and eat a variety of food during their lifetime. Juvenile Smallmouth Bass – smaller than 150mm in length - eat zooplankton, or microscopic animals.