Distribution of Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Rapidly Urbanizing Arroyo Colorado Watershed, Texas
Open accessAbstract
This study presents the first report of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water samples collected in the Arroyo Colorado (n = 15), irrigation canals (n = 6), stormwater and wastewater retention ponds (n = 7), as well as drinking waters (n = 2) across the Arroyo Colorado watershed. Of the 30 PFAS monitored in this study, 14 were detected in the samples in various combinations. Short‐chain PFAS (less than 8 carbon atoms) were observed in most samples. Water collected from the Arroyo Colorado showed significant spatial variabilities, with high total PFAS concentrations observed near possible point sources ‐ a municipal airport and wastewater treatment facilities. PFAS concentrations were generally higher in water samples collected in stormwater and wastewater retention ponds than in the Arroyo Colorado and irrigation canals. PFAS in stormwater retention ponds likely came from roadway runoff. Short‐chain PFAS were observed in the two municipal water samples, but they were below the current U.S. EPA regulation limits or are not currently regulated. This study provides useful information for water quality in this region and provides insights into PFAS occurrence in a rapidly urbanizing area.
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Previous studies on PFAS in the Texas Gulf Coast have documented PFAS occurrence in surface water and biota, but sediment occurrence remains understudied and comprehensive watershed-scale monitoring is limited.
“Previous studies on PFAS in the Texas Gulf Coast have documented PFAS occurrence in surface water and biota, but occurrence in sediments remains understudied, and comprehensive watershed-scale monitoring is still limited.”
From Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Water and Fluvial Sediments of a Rural Gulf Coast Watershed: A Year-long Spatiotemporal Assessment (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
The Conclusions (page unavailable) call for more watershed data, and the paper says information on PFAS in Texas rivers is scarce. It does not document the claimed previous findings in Texas Gulf Coast biota or identify sediment occurrence as an understudied gap; its study sampled water, not sediment or biota. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured14 PFAS were examined at 15 sites along the Arroyo Colorado River in South Texas, reporting concentrations ranging from non-detect to 1,259.88 ng/L (median = 28.84 ng/L).
“14 PFAS were examined at 15 sites along the Arroyo Colorado River in South Texas, reporting concentrations ranging from non-detect to 1,259.88 ng/L (median = 28.84ng/L).”
From Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Water and Fluvial Sediments of a Rural Gulf Coast Watershed: A Year-long Spatiotemporal Assessment (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
The Sampling section (page unavailable) reports 15 Arroyo Colorado samples, and the PFAS in the Arroyo Colorado and Irrigation Canals section reports a maximum of 1,259.88 ng/L at AC13. But the paper says 30 PFAS were examined and 14 were detected, not that 14 were examined. Table 2 (page unavailable) shows a non-detect at AC15; its Arroyo Colorado totals yield a median of 28.64 ng/L, not 28.84 ng/L. (LLM, conf=0.91)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredOnly one catchment-scale study of PFAS occurrence and distribution in the Texas Gulf Coast has been published.
“Geographically, only one catchment-scale study of PFAS occurrence and distribution in the Texas Gulf Coast has been published.25”
From Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Water and Fluvial Sediments of a Rural Gulf Coast Watershed: A Year-long Spatiotemporal Assessment (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
The Abstract identifies this as a study of PFAS distribution in the Arroyo Colorado watershed, Texas, and Research Implications calls it the first report for that watershed. Those passages establish an example of a catchment-scale study, but do not establish that it is the only published study across the Texas Gulf Coast. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe Arroyo Colorado study found that concentrations were lower in the lower section of the river, attributed to dilution from tidal influence.
“The study also found that concentrations were lower in the lower section of the river, which was attributed to dilution from tidal influence”
From Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Water and Fluvial Sediments of a Rural Gulf Coast Watershed: A Year-long Spatiotemporal Assessment (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
The most prevalent PFAS detected in the Arroyo Colorado study were PFBA, PFBS, PFPeA, and PFHxA.
“The most prevalent PFAS detected were PFBA, PFBS, PFPeA, and PFHxA”
From Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Water and Fluvial Sediments of a Rural Gulf Coast Watershed: A Year-long Spatiotemporal Assessment (2026) · cites this paper as [25]
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Flagged first, then by citations
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Rodriguez, C. A., Schramm, M., Postma, S., McDonald, T. J., Brinkmeyer-Langford, C., & Ma, X. (2026) · ACS ES&T Water · doi:10.1021/acsestwater.6c00886
- Authors
- Liu, Y., Shields, M. R., Puthigai, S., Gregory, L. F., & Berthold, A. A.
- Affiliations
- Texas A&M University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Liu, Yina
- Venue
- Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2024-06
- Volume
- 180
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 23-36
- ISSN
- 1936-7031 (ISSN-L)
- 1936-704X
- OpenAlex
- W4399978329
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2
- FWCI
- 0.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education (publishedVersion)
- OpenSIUC (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Stormwater Management Solutions
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Keywords
- per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, urbanization, retention ponds, wastewater treatment plants, irrigation canals, drinking water, road runoff, short-chain PFAS, spatial variability, point source, water quality
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