Using Geospatial Data and Random Forest To Predict PFAS Contamination in Fish Tissue in the Columbia River Basin, United States.

ABSTRACT: Decision makers in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) are currently challenged with identifying and characterizing the extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and human exposure to PFAS. This work aims to develop and pilot a methodology to help decision makers target and prioritize sampling investigations and identify contaminated natural resources. Here we use random forest models to predict ∑PFAS in fish tissue; understanding PFAS levels in fish is particularly important in the CRB because fish can be a major component of tribal and indigenous people diet. Geospatial data, including land cover and distances to known or potential PFAS sources and industries, were leveraged as predictors for modeling. Models were developed and evaluated for Washington state and Orego

SUBMITTER: DeLuca NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10515492 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature