Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: Unregulated Organic Chemicals in Biosolids: Prioritization, Fate and Risk Evaluation for Land Applications
EPA Grant Number: R840245Title: Unregulated Organic Chemicals in Biosolids: Prioritization, Fate and Risk Evaluation for Land Applications
Investigators: Olabode, Lola , Lee, Linda S. , Gan, Jay , McAvoy, Drew , Lono-Batura, Maile
Institution: Water Research Foundation , Water Environment Federation , University of Cincinnati , Purdue University , University of California Riverside
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2024 (Extended to September 30, 2026)
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2022 through September 30,2023
Project Amount: $1,497,907
RFA: National Priorities: Evaluation of Pollutants in Biosolids (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water Treatment , Water Quality , Water
Objective:
This research addresses “Better understanding of the occurrence, fate, and transport of chemical pollutants in land-applied biosolids, particularly those that may persist and/or accumulate in soils and biota.” There are five main objectives, each supported by a series of tasks with task leads:
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Objective 1: Conduct data mining and modeling to prioritize UOCs by identifying chemicals with a higher propensity to be mobile and bioavailable following biosolids land applications.
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Objective 2: Develop rapid standard methods for measuring mobile and bioavailable fractions of UOCs in biosolids.
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Objective 3: Conduct field studies under different application scenarios to determine plant uptake, earthworm accumulation, leaching and runoff of the high-priority UOCs at sites in California, Virginia, Illinois, and Indiana to support a national approach.
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Objective 4: Evaluate risk assessment fate and transport models for their prediction accuracy using literature, laboratory, and field derived data; and
- Objective 5: Work closely with industry partners and community stakeholders to solicit input and develop risk-based optimal management
Progress Summary:
During this research period, the previous list of prioritized UOCs was refined. A database of 910 biosolids-borne chemicals was developed after compiling EPA lists of biosolids-borne chemicals. A screening approach reduced the number of priority UOCs to 125. Five scoring scenarios were evaluated, i.e., mobility and bioaccumulation; mobility and persistence; mobility, persistence, and toxicity; persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity; and mobility, persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. The 125 priority UOCs were categorized into high and low priority. A total of 45 UOCs were classified as high priority and the remaining 80 UOCs were classified as low priority. While the database and analysis of the highest priority UOCs has been completed, the overall results will be continually assessed throughout the project period. The UCR team prioritized 44 UOCs. The finalized extraction methods for water/porewater and soil had acceptable recoveries, and the finalized biosolids extraction method provided acceptable recoveries for 42 of 44 targeted UOCs. The two UOCs having unacceptable recoveries were 3,3’,5,5’-Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Triclocarban. Details of the methods will be presented for publication along with the UOC residue values from recycled irrigation water, field soil, and Class A biosolids used in field plot studies in selected California sites. Development of a passive sampling assay using simple materials to estimate bioavailable and labile chemical concentrations represents a novel scientific undertaking for biosolids-borne contaminants which may contribute to better management and expansion of biosolids-use in agriculture. Preliminary validation of biosolids and soil extraction methods for UOCs were completed during this period in targeted sites in California, Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia. Field studies of the high-priority UOCs at these sites are ongoing. A few technical problems were encountered with the instrumentation from the previous reporting period. This still impacts the sample injection, and therefore in the validation of methods. The delay in the method validation also delayed the rapid assay methods. Procedural sampling mistakes resulted in re-sampling of a site rea, and thus delayed the sampling processing. The number and variety of compounds targeted poses a challenge for the non-PFAS UOC method validation, hence the data analysis requires more time than anticipated. Added sampling areas have increased workload. The team continues to work with other grantees, industry, and biosolids community stakeholders, and expanded outreach by participating at WEF’s Circular Economy Water Summit in 2023.
Future Activities:
- Prepare publication on the prioritization of biosolids-borne UOCs in amended soils.
- Finalize all analysis and extraction methods and procedures for non-PFAS UOCs in biosolids, and the UOC analysis for three sites on biosolids.
- Complete the data processing for the validation of the extraction and analysis procedures for non-PFAS UOCs in biosolids and soil.
- Conduct field surveys, sample collection, analysis, and a Virginia site visit.
- Conduct stakeholder meeting(s) at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana March 2024.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 6 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
sludge; emerging contaminants; contaminant transport; risk assessment; organic chemicalsRelevant Websites:
Water Research Foundation Exit , Water Research Foundation 5125 Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.