A rank order of 26 North American fish species by propensity for PFAS bioaccumulation

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made compounds used commercially and industrially, resulting in environmental release and subsequent bioaccumulation in biota, including fish. We analyzed 26 North American fish species from 80 waterbodies from 2010-2023 for PFAS (n = 2,271). We assessed species- and family-specific bioaccumulation in the most commonly detected PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) through Bayesian modelling. We rank-ordered species and families, with Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) and Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) among the highest ranked species, and ictalurids (e.g., Brown Bullhead; Ameiurus nebulosus) among the lowest. Length, percent lipid, and feeding habitat were assessed as PFAS concentration predictors. We found little evidence supporting prediction of PFAS bioaccumulation from length or percent lipids, suggesting other characteristics are influencing PFAS bioaccumulation in fish. Overall, benthic specialists had lower concentrations than non-benthic fishes in PFOS and PFDA across all waterbodies combined; but were mostly equivalent in unique waterbody types. Because bioaccumulation of PFAS compounds is species-specific, species rankings (or family when the species sampled here were not analyzed) are recommended to direct future sampling efforts.