The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
Andrea Tokranov
Andrea Tokranov is a Research Hydrologist in the New England Water Science Center and a Researcher in the Environmental Health Program of the Ecosystems Mission Area.
Andrea studies the fate, transport, and ecosystem exposure and effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). She also manages the PFAS laboratory for biological matrices, which uses high resolution mass spectrometry for targeted and non-targeted analysis of PFAS.
Science and Products
Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the New England Water Science Center
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of over 4,000 different compounds. Since the 1940s, PFAS have been manufactured and used around the globe, including in the United States. PFAS are resistant to chemical and thermal breakdown and impart stain and water-resistance properties, making them useful for a variety of commercial applications, but also persistent in the...
Large Fraction of Unidentified Organofluorine in a Coastal Watershed has Implications for River to Marine Ecosystems
A group of scientists investigated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in watersheds on Cape Cod and identified a unique signature for aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) from legacy firefighting and fire training. A combination of statistical modeling and laboratory measurements indicates that unidentified organofluorine constitutes a large fraction of PFAS in the river systems that...
Advanced PFAS Measurement Methods
Environmental Health Program scientists, in collaboration with other USGS scientists, are developing complementary field and laboratory methods and capabilities to detect and quantify a range of target and nontarget per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and indicator compounds at low levels (parts per trillion) in a variety of environmental matrices. The PFAS Integrated Science Team is...
USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
Groundwater sampling for PFAS
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
Collecting a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Scientist standing near a high resolution mass spectrometer
USGS scientist standing near the high-resolution mass spectrometer at the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. The instrument will be used for analyses of PFAS in plasma and tissue samples. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
USGS scientist standing near the high-resolution mass spectrometer at the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. The instrument will be used for analyses of PFAS in plasma and tissue samples. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Research on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the New England Water Science Center
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of over 4,000 different compounds. Since the 1940s, PFAS have been manufactured and used around the globe, including in the United States. PFAS are resistant to chemical and thermal breakdown and impart stain and water-resistance properties, making them useful for a variety of commercial applications, but also persistent in the...
Large Fraction of Unidentified Organofluorine in a Coastal Watershed has Implications for River to Marine Ecosystems
A group of scientists investigated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in watersheds on Cape Cod and identified a unique signature for aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) from legacy firefighting and fire training. A combination of statistical modeling and laboratory measurements indicates that unidentified organofluorine constitutes a large fraction of PFAS in the river systems that...
Advanced PFAS Measurement Methods
Environmental Health Program scientists, in collaboration with other USGS scientists, are developing complementary field and laboratory methods and capabilities to detect and quantify a range of target and nontarget per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and indicator compounds at low levels (parts per trillion) in a variety of environmental matrices. The PFAS Integrated Science Team is...
USGS Laboratory for the Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
The U.S. Geological Survey laboratory for the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uses cutting-edge techniques to analyze environmental samples including tissues, plasma, water, and soils to undertake and support research projects across the country.
Groundwater sampling for PFAS
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
USGS scientists sampling groundwater near the top of the water table in a corn field in Concord, New Hampshire.
Collecting a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician collects a sample of soil affected by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
Scientist standing near a high resolution mass spectrometer
USGS scientist standing near the high-resolution mass spectrometer at the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. The instrument will be used for analyses of PFAS in plasma and tissue samples. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
USGS scientist standing near the high-resolution mass spectrometer at the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. The instrument will be used for analyses of PFAS in plasma and tissue samples. Any display of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.