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Evaluation of wastewater tracers to predict pharmaceutical distributions and behavior in the Long Island Sound estuary
Citation:
Cantwell, M., D. Katz, J. Sullivan, AND M. Lyman. Evaluation of wastewater tracers to predict pharmaceutical distributions and behavior in the Long Island Sound estuary. CHEMOSPHERE. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 220:629-636, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.171
Impact/Purpose:
Little is known about the behavior, fate and effects of pharmaceutical compounds in urban estuaries. Estuaries are often used as receiving waters for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges, many of which are near large cities and highly populated areas. This study focused on the presence and concentrations of 16 highly prescribed pharmaceuticals within the Long Island Sound (LIS) and four Connecticut rivers that discharge to LIS. Findings indicate that the pharmaceutical concentrations were highest in western LIS and declined eastward, due to dilution and other factors possibly including degradation. Two wastewater tracers were tested, sucralose an artificial sweetener and caffeine, with both accurately predicting pharmaceutical behavior in LIS, but only sucralose performed well at the river sites. Continuous release from WWTPs and rivers containing effluents resulted in sustained concentrations of pharmaceuticals to LIS. Work is continuing in order to improve our understanding of the fate of pharmaceuticals in estuaries using wastewater tracers.
Description:
Urban estuaries receive large volumes of effluents from municipal wastewater treatment facilities containing numerous contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals residues. Water was sampled for 16 highly prescribed pharmaceuticals at 17 sites along the Long Island Sound (LIS) estuary and at the river mouths of four of its major tributaries. Pharmaceutical concentrations were highest in western LIS, ranging from non-detect to 71 ng/L and declining steadily eastward, while river samples ranged from non-detect to 83 ng/L. Two tracers, sucralose and caffeine, accurately predicted pharmaceutical behavior in LIS while only sucralose was effective at the river sites. Sucralose also tracked well with the salinity gradient in LIS, exhibiting conservative behavior along the transect. Attenuation factors were determined for measurable pharmaceuticals and compared against sucralose to estimate the magnitude of decline in concentrations that may be attributable to in situ degradation and partitioning. The results demonstrate sucralose’s effectiveness as a tracer of wastewater-borne contaminants under estuarine conditions.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Evaluation of wastewater tracers to predict pharmaceutical distributions and behavior in the Long Island Sound estuary