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Tyre KN, Brewton RA, Kreiger LB, Lapointe BE. Widespread human waste pollution in surface waters observed throughout the urbanized, coastal communities of Lee County, Florida, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:162716. [PMID: 36921859 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The coastal communities of Lee County, Florida, USA have grown rapidly since the 1970s. In this county, drainage ditches, canals, creeks, and the Caloosahatchee River Estuary often have high concentrations of nutrients and bacteria limiting their designated uses. Septic systems have previously been identified as a major pollution source in some areas of Lee County; therefore, this study sought to identify the extent of this issue throughout the county. To accomplish this, surface water samples were collected at 25 ditch, creek, or canal sites suspected of human waste contamination from septic systems in various drainage basins throughout Lee County during January 2020-January 2021. Water samples were analyzed for nutrients, dual stable nitrate isotopes (δ15N-NO3-, δ18O-NO3-), fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci, Escherichia coli), a molecular tracer of human waste (HF183), and chemical tracers of human waste (the artificial sweetener sucralose, pharmaceuticals). Particulate organic matter (POM) and macrophytes were also collected and analyzed for stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, as well as elemental composition (C:N:P). To broaden the assessment of stable isotope values and C:N:P, archived macrophyte samples from 2019 were also included in analyses. Ammonium concentrations were high (> 4.3 μM) in 55 % of samples. Fecal bacteria were high in 66 % of samples. HF183 was detected in 50 % of samples and positively correlated with enterococci (r = 0.32). Sucralose concentrations were high (> 380 ng/L) in 54 % of samples, while carbamazepine was detected in 40 % of samples. Human waste N sources were indicated by δ15N > 3.00 ‰ at 44 % of sites by δ15N-NO3-, 68 % of sites by POM, and at 100 % of sites where macrophyte samples were collected. This large-scale study provides evidence of widespread human waste pollution throughout Lee County and can help guide infrastructure improvements to promote sustainable development. These findings should be applicable to urbanized regions globally that are experiencing declines in water quality and harmful algal blooms due to development with inadequate infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin N Tyre
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, United States of America; Geosyntec Consultants, 3504 Lake Lynda Dr., Suite 155, Orlando, FL 32817, United States of America
| | - Rachel A Brewton
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, United States of America.
| | - Lisa B Kreiger
- Lee County Department of Natural Resources, 1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States of America
| | - Brian E Lapointe
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, United States of America
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Aguiar DK, Wiegner TN, Colbert SL, Burns J, Abaya L, Beets J, Couch C, Stewart J, Panelo J, Remple K, Nelson C. Detection and impact of sewage pollution on South Kohala's coral reefs, Hawai'i. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114662. [PMID: 36739712 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sewage pollution from on-site sewage disposal systems and injection wells is impacting coral reefs worldwide. Our study documented the presence and impact of sewage on South Kohala's coral reefs, on Hawai'i Island, through benthic water quality and macroalgal sampling (fecal indicator bacteria, nutrients, δ15N macroalgal tissue), NO3- stable isotope mixing models, water motion measurements, and coral reef surveys. Sewage pollution was moderate on the offshore reef from benthic seeps, and water motion mixed and diluted it across the benthos. These conditions likely contribute to the dominance of turf algae cover, and the severity and prevalence of growth anomalies and algal overgrowth on corals. Use of multiple indicators and studying water motion was necessary to assess sewage pollution and identify environmental drivers associated with impaired coral health conditions. Methods used in this study can be utilized by natural resource managers to identify and reduce anthropogenic stressors to coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon K Aguiar
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Tracy N Wiegner
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Steven L Colbert
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - John Burns
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Leilani Abaya
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - James Beets
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Courtney Couch
- NOAA/Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division, NOAA Inouye Regional Center, 1845 Wasp Blvd, Bldg. # 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA.
| | - Julia Stewart
- Marine Science Department, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Jazmine Panelo
- Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
| | - Kristina Remple
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1950 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Craig Nelson
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1950 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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Brewton RA, Kreiger LB, Tyre KN, Baladi D, Wilking LE, Herren LW, Lapointe BE. Septic system-groundwater-surface water couplings in waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155319. [PMID: 35452738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As human population growth has expanded in Southwest Florida, water quality has become degraded with an increased occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Red tide (Karenia brevis) originating offshore, intensifies in nearshore waters along Florida's Gulf Coast, and blue-green algae (Microcystis spp.) originating in Lake Okeechobee is discharged into the Caloosahatchee River. These HABs could be enhanced by anthropogenic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from adjacent watersheds. North Fort Myers is a heavily developed, low-lying city on the Caloosahatchee River Estuary serviced by septic systems with documented nutrient and bacterial pollution. To identify sources of pollution within North Fort Myers and determine connections with downstream HABs, this multiyear (2017-2020) study examined septic system- groundwater- surface water couplings through the analysis of water table depth, nutrients (N, P), fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), molecular markers (HF183, GFD, Gull2), chemical tracers (sucralose, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides), stable isotopes of groundwater (δ15N-NH4, δ15N-NO3) and particulate organic matter (POM; δ15N, δ13C), and POM elemental composition (C:N:P). POM samples were also collected during K. brevis and Microcystis spp. HAB events. Most (>80%) water table depth measurements were too shallow to support septic system functioning (<1.07 m). High concentrations of NH4+ and NOx, up to 1094 μM and 482 μM respectively, were found in groundwater and surface water. δ15N values of groundwater (+4.7‰) were similar to septic effluent (+4.9‰), POM (+4.7‰), and downstream HABs (+4.8 to 6.9‰), indicating a human waste N source. In surface water, FIB were elevated and HF183 was detected, while in groundwater and surface water sucralose, carbamazepine, primidone, and acetaminophen were detected. These data suggest that groundwater and surface water in North Fort Myers are coupled and contaminated by septic system effluent, which is negatively affecting water quality and contributing to the maintenance and intensification of downstream HABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Brewton
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA.
| | - Lisa B Kreiger
- Lee County Division of Natural Resources, 1500 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
| | - Kevin N Tyre
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA
| | - Diana Baladi
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA
| | - Lynn E Wilking
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA
| | - Laura W Herren
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA
| | - Brian E Lapointe
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA
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Silvanima J, Sunderman-Barnes S, Copeland R, Woeber A, Miller E. Regional extent, environmental relevance, and spatiotemporal variability of neonicotinoid insecticides detected in Florida's ambient flowing waters. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:416. [PMID: 35536370 PMCID: PMC9086659 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The use of imidacloprid and, to a lesser degree, other neonicotinoid insecticides is widespread in FL (and globally). The moderate to high water solubility and environmental persistence of neonicotinoids allows these compounds to readily enter, and be retained in, water resources where they may harm nontarget organisms and impact biological communities and associated trophic structures negatively. To better understand imidacloprid's chronic long-term exposure potential to aquatic invertebrate communities in FL, grab water samples were collected monthly in 2015 at 77 monitoring stations statewide. Fifty-eight stations (75%), representing 24 of the 25 drainage basins sampled, had detectable concentrations of imidacloprid, with concentrations ranging from 2 to 660 nanograms per liter [ng/L]. Imidacloprid basin medians were found to be correlated with two of six land use categories (urban, transportation, agriculture, and three crop classes) examined; urban (rho = 0.43, p-value = 0.03), and orchards and vineyards (rho 0.49, p-value = 0.01). The resampling of 12 select stations, representing eight basins, between August 2019 and July 2020, for the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, showed that (1) median values of imidacloprid continued to exceed the US EPA chronic freshwater Invertebrate Aquatic Life Benchmark (IALB) (10 ng/L), (2) imidacloprid concentration was directly correlated with flow measurements, and (3) while median imidacloprid concentration decreased between the two sampling events (48.5 vs. 34.5 ng/L, p-value = 0.01) differences in event 1 and 2 streamflow regimes and disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic likely affected this outcome. Clothianidin was the only other neonicotinoid found to have values greater than a US EPA IALB, with detections at three stations exceeding the chronic IALB (50 ng/L). This study highlights the challenges associated with limiting neonicotinoids from entering water resources and identifies means to reduce their entry into and persistence within FL water resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Silvanima
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 2600 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, USA.
| | - Stephanie Sunderman-Barnes
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 2600 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, USA
| | - Rick Copeland
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 2600 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, USA
| | - Andy Woeber
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 2600 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, USA
| | - Elizabeth Miller
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, 2600 Blair Stone Rd, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2400, USA
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Sandstrom MW, Nowell LH, Mahler BJ, Van Metre PC. New-generation pesticides are prevalent in California's Central Coast streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150683. [PMID: 34627915 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides are widely recognized as important biological stressors in streams, especially in heavily developed urban and agricultural areas like the Central California Coast region. We assessed occurrence and potential toxicity of pesticides in small streams in the region using two analytical methods: a broad-spectrum (223 compounds) method in use since 2012 and a newly developed method for 30 additional new-generation fungicides and insecticides. At least one pesticide compound was identified in 83 of the 85 streams sampled. About one-half (48%) of the 253 pesticides measured were detected at least once and 27 were detected in 10% or more of samples. Three of the top 4, and 6 of the top 10 most frequently detected compounds (chlorantraniliprole, dinotefuran, boscalid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin and the fluopicolide degradate 2,6-dichlorobenzamide) were analyzed by the new method. Pesticide mixtures were common, with two or more pesticide compounds detected in 81% of samples and 10 or more in 32% of samples. The pesticide count at a site was relatively consistent over the 6-week study. Four sites with mixed land-use in the lower basin (<5 km from the sampling site) tended to have the highest pesticide counts and the highest concentrations. Potential toxicity (assessed by comparison to benchmarks) to invertebrates was much more common than potential toxicity to fish or plants and was associated with a wide array of insecticides. The common occurrence of new-generation pesticides highlights the need to continuously update analytical methods to keep pace with changing pesticide use for a fuller assessment of pesticide occurrence and effects on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Sandstrom
- U. S. Geological Survey, Strategic Laboratories Science Branch, P. O. Box 25585, Denver, CO 80225, USA.
| | - Lisa H Nowell
- U. S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, Placer Hall, 6000 J St., Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
| | - Barbara J Mahler
- U. S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754, USA
| | - Peter C Van Metre
- U. S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754, USA
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Nowell LH, Moran PW, Bexfield LM, Mahler BJ, Van Metre PC, Bradley PM, Schmidt TS, Button DT, Qi SL. Is there an urban pesticide signature? Urban streams in five U.S. regions share common dissolved-phase pesticides but differ in predicted aquatic toxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 793:148453. [PMID: 34182445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides occur in urban streams globally, but the relation of occurrence to urbanization can be obscured by regional differences. In studies of five regions of the United States, we investigated the effect of region and urbanization on the occurrence and potential toxicity of dissolved pesticide mixtures. We analyzed 225 pesticide compounds in weekly discrete water samples collected during 6-12 weeks from 271 wadable streams; development in these basins ranged from undeveloped to highly urbanized. Sixteen pesticides were consistently detected in 16 urban centers across the five regions-we propose that these pesticides comprise a suite of urban signature pesticides (USP) that are all common in small U.S. urban streams. These USPs accounted for the majority of summed maximum pesticide concentrations at urban sites within each urban center. USP concentrations, mixture complexity, and potential toxicity increased with the degree of urbanization in the basin. Basin urbanization explained the most variability in multivariate distance-based models of pesticide profiles, with region always secondary in importance. The USPs accounted for 83% of pesticides in the 20 most frequently occurring 2-compound unique mixtures at urban sites, with carbendazim+prometon the most common. Although USPs were consistently detected in all regions, detection frequencies and concentrations varied by region, conferring differences in potential aquatic toxicity. Potential toxicity was highest for invertebrates (benchmarks exceeded in 51% of urban streams), due most often to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid and secondarily to organophosphate insecticides and fipronil. Benchmarks were rarely exceeded in urban streams for plants (at 3% of sites) or fish (<1%). We propose that the USPs identified here would make logical core (nonexclusive) constituents for monitoring dissolved pesticides in U.S. urban streams, and that unique mixtures containing imidacloprid, fipronil, and carbendazim are priority candidates for mixtures toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa H Nowell
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, Placer Hall, 6000 J St., Sacramento, CA 95819, United States of America.
| | - Patrick W Moran
- U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Water Science Center, 934 Broadway, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98402, United States of America
| | - Laura M Bexfield
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Water Science Center, 6700 Edith Blvd NE, Bldg E, Albuquerque, NM 87113, United States of America
| | - Barbara J Mahler
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754, United States of America
| | - Peter C Van Metre
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, 1505 Ferguson Lane, Austin, TX 78754, United States of America
| | - Paul M Bradley
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, 720 Gracern Rd., Suite 129, Columbia, SC 29210, United States of America
| | - Travis S Schmidt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, 3162 Bozeman Ave., Helena, MT 59601, United States of America
| | - Daniel T Button
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd., Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43229, United States of America
| | - Sharon L Qi
- U.S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Laboratory, 1300 SE Cardinal Ct, Vancouver, WA 98683, United States of America
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Cantwell MG, Katz DR, Sullivan J, Kuhn A. Evaluation of the artificial sweetener sucralose as a sanitary wastewater tracer in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 146:711-717. [PMID: 31426213 PMCID: PMC6766748 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Narragansett Bay is an urban estuary that historically has been impacted by long-term discharge of sanitary wastewater (WW) effluents. High-density water sampling was conducted in Narragansett Bay, RI, USA, in an effort to understand the distribution and behavior of sucralose, an artificial sweetener that has shown utility as a sanitary wastewater tracer. Water samples were collected at sixty-seven sites and analyzed for sucralose, whose performance was compared to other tracers present in wastewater effluents. Concentrations of sucralose were much higher than the other tracers measured, carbamazepine and caffeine, ranging from 18 to 3180 ng/L and corresponded well with salinity (r2 = 0.88), demonstrating conservative behavior throughout the Bay. Mapped interpolation data using an empirical bayesian kriging model clearly show the spatial trends of WW and how estuarine processes influence dilution and dispersion throughout the Bay. These findings provide further evidence of the efficacy of sucralose as a wastewater tracer in large urban estuaries where continuous high-volume discharge of WW occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Cantwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division (AED), 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
| | - David R Katz
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division (AED), 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Julia Sullivan
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Anne Kuhn
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division (AED), 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
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