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Contaminants Of Emerging Concern Within The Ohio River And Its Tributaries
Citation:
MILLS, M., E. Emery, S. Nakayama, AND J. Spaeth. Contaminants Of Emerging Concern Within The Ohio River And Its Tributaries. Presented at ORBCRE 2010 Scientific Symposium, Highland Heights, KY, November 17 - 19, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
To document the occurrence and concentrations of CECs in the main-stem of the Ohio River and several of its tributaries.
Description:
Contaminants of emerging concern such as PPCPs, alkylphenols, EDCs, and PFCs in waterways have been increasing public concern. The extent and persistence of their occurrence in surface waters remains unclear. Though ther are many sources of these contaminants, research has focused primarily on WWTPs and CAFOs. Kolpin, et al. (2002) surveyed downstream of major municipal, industrial and agricultural centers for organic wastewater contaminants. They found that steroid hormones were present at varying levels in 86% of the streams surveyed. A national survey performed by USEPA/NERL of 50 WWTPs found 26% to contain estrogenic endocrine disrupting activity levels high enough to induce vitellogenesis in male fathead minnows (Lazorchak & Smith, 2004). However, these were grab samples and effluents can change depending on the influent characteristics, therefore this may not provide an accurate estimate as to the problem extent. These studies provided valuable information about the presence of CECs in surface waters; however, the longitudinal occurrence and concentrations of these compounds within large river systems are unknown. Identifying CECs and their concentrations in surface waters of the Ohio River and its tributaries is essential to protecting the ecosystem and the public health of the 25 million people who live within the basin and depend on the water for drinking water, irrigation, and recreation. The existence, extent of and persistence of PPCPs APs, EDCs, and PFCs in the Ohio River and selected tributaries are reported. The primary focus was to document the occurrence and concentrations of CECs in the main-stem of the Ohio River and several of its tributaries. Concentrations of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, steroid hormones, and fluorinated chemicals are reported for tributaries and positions on the mainstem of the Ohio River.