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The TWRI water team recently traveled south to collect water measurements and samples for measuring levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, for the project "Assessment of PFAS Concentrations and Loadings in the Lavaca Bay Watershed."

The two-day trip travels from the river in Hallettsville, meandering to the coast in Port Lavaca, and the team collects a total of 12 water samples and multiple soil and nutrient samples.

Research Specialist Shaylynn Postma and Program Specialist Anna Eismont collect pH, temperature, specific conductivity and other measurements.

Xingmao 'Samuel' Ma, Ph.D., P.E., a professor in the Texas A&M University Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his laboratory assistant, Chloe Rodriguez, analyze the PFAS samples. Thomas McDonald, Ph.D., a Regents Professor in Texas A&M's School of Public Health, and Candice Brinkmeyer-Langford, Ph.D., an Associate Professor also in the School of Public Health, analyze nutrient samples.

Research Specialist Shaylynn Postma and Program Specialist Anna Eismont preparing sample bottles.

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The Lavaca River at Hallettsville.

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Postma collecting soil samples from the bottom of the creek.

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One of the sites had lots of mussels and shells in the creek bed!

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Eismont searching for mussels.

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There was an extra set of eyes on us at one of the sites.

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Eismont collecting measurements while Postma takes water samples.

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The harbor we launched from at Port Lavaca.

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One of the PFAS samples. Postma had to wear gloves to prevent as much contamination as possible.

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Postma taking supplies off the boat.

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