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Wilschnack M, Homer B, Cartmell E, Yates K, Petrie B. Targeted multi-analyte UHPLC-MS/MS methodology for emerging contaminants in septic tank wastewater, sludge and receiving surface water. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:709-720. [PMID: 38214144 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01201h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Septic tanks treat wastewater of individual houses and small communities (up to 2000 people in Scotland) in rural and semi-urban areas and are understudied sources of surface water contamination. A multi-analyte methodology with solid phase extraction (SPE), ultra-sonic extraction, and direct injection sample preparation methods was developed to analyse a comprehensive range of emerging contaminants (ECs) including prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and related metabolites, natural and synthetic hormones, and other human wastewater marker compounds in septic tank influent and effluent, river water, suspended solids, and septic tank sludge by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The number of quantifiable compounds in each matrix varied from 68 in septic tank wastewater to 59 in sludge illustrating its applicability across a range of matrices. Method quantification limits were 2.9 × 10-5-1.2 μg L-1 in septic tank influent, effluent and river water, with ≤0.01 μg L-1 achieved for 60% of ECs in all three water matrices, and 0.080-49 μg kg-1 in sludge. The developed method was applied to a septic tank (292 population equivalents) and the receiving river in the North-East of Scotland. Across all samples analysed, 43 of 68 ECs were detected in at least one matrix, demonstrating the method's sensitivity. The effluent concentrations suggest limited removal of ECs in septic tanks and a potential impact to river water quality for some ECs. However, further monitoring is required to better appreciate this. The developed methodology for a wide variety of ECs in a range of liquid and solid phases will allow, for the first time, a comprehensive assessment of ECs fate and removal in septic tanks, and their impact to surface water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Wilschnack
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK.
| | - Bess Homer
- Scottish Water, 55 Buckstone Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 6XH, UK
| | - Elise Cartmell
- Scottish Water, 55 Buckstone Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 6XH, UK
| | - Kyari Yates
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK.
| | - Bruce Petrie
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK.
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2
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Dubber D, Brophy L, O'Connell D, Behan P, Danaher M, Evans C, Geary P, Misstear B, Gill L. The use of sterol profiles, supported with other faecal source tracking methods, to apportion septic tanks contamination in rural catchments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122884. [PMID: 37951526 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122884] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the origin of faecal pollution in water is needed for effective water management decisions to protect both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Traditionally used indicators of faecal contamination, such as E. coli, only indicate pollution from warm-blooded animals and not the specific source of contamination; hence, more source specific tracers are required. The study has focussed on separating the two main sources of contaminants within rural catchments in Ireland, agriculture and on-site wastewater treatment systems (predominantly septic tanks). While human-specific effluent tracers may assist in identifying potential pathways from individual septic tanks to surface waters, it is difficult to quantify the cumulative impact of such systems at a catchment scale. This study has investigated faecal sterols as a method to quantify such an impact on four small catchments in areas of low subsoil permeability with high densities of septic tanks. The results demonstrate the usefulness of faecal sterols which provide a quantitative evaluation of the respective impact between agricultural pasture inputs and on-site effluent showing differences between the four catchments. The study also highlights the need to derive more specific local reference sterol profile databases for specific countries or regions, using local source material of animal faeces and effluent. Two intensive sampling campaigns on the four catchments then used faecal sterols in parallel to fluorescent whitening compounds (FWCs), caffeine, artificial sweeteners and selected pharmaceuticals to gain further insights and confirmation about contamination hotspots as well as providing comparison between the different parameters. The combination of sterols, FWCs, caffeine, acesulfame and cyclamate has proven suitable to provide an estimate of the extent of human contamination in these rural catchments and has yielded additional information about potential pollution pathways and proximity of contamination. Overall, this methodology can help to facilitate a targeted and effective water management in such catchments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donata Dubber
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura Brophy
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - David O'Connell
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrice Behan
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technical University of Dublin, Ireland
| | - Martin Danaher
- Teagasc, Agricultural and Food Development Authority, Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Craig Evans
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Phillip Geary
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Bruce Misstear
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laurence Gill
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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Hain E, He K, Batista-Andrade JA, Feerick A, Tarnowski M, Timm A, Blaney L. Geospatial and co-occurrence analysis of antibiotics, hormones, and UV filters in the Chesapeake Bay (USA) to confirm inputs from wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, and animal feeding operations. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132405. [PMID: 37651932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132405] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported select contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in limited areas of the Chesapeake Bay (USA), but no comprehensive efforts have been conducted. In this work, 43 antibiotics, 9 hormones, 11 UV filters, and sucralose, were measured in matched water, sediment, and oyster samples from 58 sites. The highest sucralose concentration was 3051 ng L-1 in a subwatershed with 4.43 million liters of wastewater effluent per day (MLD) and 4385 septic systems. Although antibiotic occurrence was generally low in subwatersheds located in less populated areas, 102 ng L-1 ciprofloxacin was detected downstream of 0.58 MLD wastewater effluent and 10 animal feeding operations. Hormones were not regularly detected in water (2%) or oysters (37%), but the high detection frequencies in sediment (74%) were associated with septic systems. UV filters were ubiquitously detected in oysters, and octisalate exhibited the highest concentration (423 ng g-1). Oyster-phase oxybenzone and aqueous-phase sucralose concentrations were significantly correlated to wastewater effluent and septic systems, respectively. Toxicity outcomes were predicted for homosalate and octisalate throughout the Bay, and antimicrobial resistance concerns were noted for the Chester River. The geospatial and co-occurrence relationships constitute crucial advances to understanding CEC occurrence in the Chesapeake Bay and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Hain
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Engineering 314, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Ke He
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Engineering 314, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Jahir A Batista-Andrade
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Engineering 314, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Anna Feerick
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Engineering 314, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Mitchell Tarnowski
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Ave, B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
| | - Anne Timm
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, 5523 Research Park Drive, Suite 350, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA
| | - Lee Blaney
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Engineering 314, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
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Wang X, Liang X, Guo X. Global distribution and potential risks of artificial sweeteners (ASs) with widespread contaminant in the environment: The latest advancements and future development. Trends Analyt Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.116915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Nabi MM, Wang J, Journey CA, Bradley PM, Baalousha M. Temporal variability in TiO 2 engineered particle concentrations in rural Edisto River. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134091. [PMID: 35218785 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used in engineered particles including engineered nanomaterial (ENM) and pigments, yet its occurrence, concentrations, temporal variability, and fate in natural environmental systems are poorly understood. For three years, we monitored TiO2 concentrations in a rural river basin (Edisto River, < 1% urban land cover) in South Carolina, United States. The total concentrations of Ti, Nb, Al, Fe, Ce, and La in the Edisto River trended higher during spring/summer compared to autumn/winter. Upward trending Ti/Nb ratio in the spring/summer compared to near-background autumn/winter ratios of 255.7 ± 8.9 indicated agricultural preparation and growing-season-related increases in TiO2 engineered particles. In contrast, downward trending of the Ti/Al and Ti/Fe ratios in the spring and summer compared to the near-background autumn/winter ratios of 0.05 indicated greater mobilization of Fe and Al, relative to Ti during spring/summer. Surface-water concentrations of TiO2 engineered particles varied between 0 and 128.7 ± 3.9 μg TiO2 L-1. Increases in TiO2 concentrations over the spring/summer were associated with increases in phosphorus, orthophosphate, nitrate, ammonia, anthropogenic gadolinium, water temperature, suspended sediments, organic carbon, and alkalinity, and with decreases in dissolved oxygen. The association between these contaminants together with the timing of the increases in their concentrations is consistent with diffuse wastewater sources, such as reuse application overspray, biosolids fertilization, leaking sewers, or septic tanks, as the driver of instream concentrations; however, other diffuse sources cannot be ruled out. The findings of this study indicate spatially-distributed (non-point source) releases can result in high concentrations of TiO2 engineered particles, which may pose higher risks to rural stream aquatic ecosystems during the agricultural season. The results illustrate the importance of monitoring seasonal variations in engineered particles concentrations in surface waters for a more representative assessment of ecosystem risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahmudun Nabi
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Celeste A Journey
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Paul M Bradley
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Mohammed Baalousha
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
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Sojobi AO, Zayed T. Impact of sewer overflow on public health: A comprehensive scientometric analysis and systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111609. [PMID: 34216613 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Sewer overflow (SO), which has attracted global attention, poses serious threat to public health and ecosystem. SO impacts public health via consumption of contaminated drinking water, aerosolization of pathogens, food-chain transmission, and direct contact with fecally-polluted rivers and beach sediments during recreation. However, no study has attempted to map the linkage between SO and public health including Covid-19 using scientometric analysis and systematic review of literature. Results showed that only few countries were actively involved in SO research in relation to public health. Furthermore, there are renewed calls to scale up environmental surveillance to safeguard public health. To safeguard public health, it is important for public health authorities to optimize water and wastewater treatment plants and improve building ventilation and plumbing systems to minimize pathogen transmission within buildings and transportation systems. In addition, health authorities should formulate appropriate policies that can enhance environmental surveillance and facilitate real-time monitoring of sewer overflow. Increased public awareness on strict personal hygiene and point-of-use-water-treatment such as boiling drinking water will go a long way to safeguard public health. Ecotoxicological studies and health risk assessment of exposure to pathogens via different transmission routes is also required to appropriately inform the use of lockdowns, minimize their socio-economic impact and guide evidence-based welfare/social policy interventions. Soft infrastructures, optimized sewer maintenance and prescreening of sewer overflow are recommended to reduce stormwater burden on wastewater treatment plant, curtail pathogen transmission and marine plastic pollution. Comprehensive, integrated surveillance and global collaborative efforts are important to curtail on-going Covid-19 pandemic and improve resilience against future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarek Zayed
- Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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Tarso Ferreira Sales P, Souza KM, Bezerra AG, Ojala SA, Oliveira SB, Santos PA, Freitas Bara MT. Chemical Reaction: Understanding the Key to the Formation of Carbonaceous Materials from Sucralose. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202102243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Tarso Ferreira Sales
- Faculty of Pharmacy Federal University of Goiás Rua 240, esquina com a 5ª Avenida, s/n°, Setor Leste Universitário, CEP 74605-170 Goiânia Goiás Brazil
| | - Katia Maria Souza
- Chemistry Department Federal Institut of Goiás – Campus Goiânia CEP 74055-110 Goiânia Goiás, Brasil
| | - Alyne Gonçalves Bezerra
- Faculty of Pharmacy Federal University of Goiás Rua 240, esquina com a 5ª Avenida, s/n°, Setor Leste Universitário, CEP 74605-170 Goiânia Goiás Brazil
| | - Satu Anneli Ojala
- Faculty of Technology Environmental and Chemical Engineering. University of Oulu FI-90014. P.O. Box 4300 Oulu Finland
| | - Sérgio Botelho Oliveira
- Chemistry Department Federal Institut of Goiás – Campus Goiânia CEP 74055-110 Goiânia Goiás, Brasil
| | - Pierre Alexandre Santos
- Faculty of Pharmacy Federal University of Goiás Rua 240, esquina com a 5ª Avenida, s/n°, Setor Leste Universitário, CEP 74605-170 Goiânia Goiás Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Freitas Bara
- Faculty of Pharmacy Federal University of Goiás Rua 240, esquina com a 5ª Avenida, s/n°, Setor Leste Universitário, CEP 74605-170 Goiânia Goiás Brazil
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Ma X, Liu Z, Yang Y, Zhu L, Deng J, Lu S, Li X, Dietrich AM. Aqueous degradation of artificial sweeteners saccharin and neotame by metal organic framework material. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:143181. [PMID: 33183822 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The artificial sweeteners (ASs) saccharin (SAC) and neotame (NEO) are widely used across the globe and are considered as emerging contaminants in surface, ground, and drinking waters. To degrade SAC and NEO, the metal organic framework material Co-based bio-MOF-11 was prepared by hydrothermal reaction and used with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator. The effects of the initial concentration of SAC and NEO, bio-MOF-11-Co dosage, PMS concentration, initial pH, temperature, and competitive anions were determined. The results revealed that bio-MOF-11-Co effectively catalyzed the degradation of SAC and NEO and possessed good stability and recycling efficiency. The degradation reaction was effective from pH 3.6-9.8 and followed quasi-first-order kinetics with degradation rate constants of 0.001-0.013 min-1 for SAC and 0.03-0.52 min-1 for NEO. Increased temperature was conducive to the degradation of both artificial sweeteners. The presence of Cl- inhibited the degradation of SAC and NEO, while the presence of CO32- promoted their degradation. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and free radical quenching demonstrated that the primary free radicals were sulfate radicals ( [Formula: see text] ) and hydroxyl radicals (HO). The change of cobalt oxidation state and electron transfer in bio-MOF-11-Co mainly induces the production of [Formula: see text] . A plausible mechanism for degradation is [Formula: see text] and HO attack on CS bonds, NS bonds, and benzene rings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Ma
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
| | - Zhanghua Liu
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Yulong Yang
- College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lidan Zhu
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Jing Deng
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Sijia Lu
- College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xueyan Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Andrea M Dietrich
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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Fu K, Wang L, Wei C, Li J, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Liang Y. Sucralose and acesulfame as an indicator of domestic wastewater contamination in Wuhan surface water. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 189:109980. [PMID: 31785946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are applied widely as sucrose substitutes in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal-care products, which results in their release into surface water. The occurrence of ASs in aquatic environments in China has rarely been reported. In this study, we determined the concentration of seven ASs in surface water and sediment samples from 16 lakes in Wuhan. The sum of the ASs concentration ranged from 0.89 to 20.6 μg/L in the surface water, with a mean value of 4.96 ± 5.16 μg/L. The most abundant AS was sucralose (SUC), with a concentration from 0.33 to 18.0 μg/L, followed by acesulfame (ACE) (0.40-2.78 μg/L), saccharin (SAC) (<MDL to 1.86 μg/L), and cyclamate (CYC) (<MDL to 2.22 μg/L). SUC and ACE accounted for 90% ± 8% of the total ASs in the surface water. The Σ4 ASs sediment concentrations ranged from 1.71 to 6.49 ng/g of the dry weight (dw, mean value 3.03 ± 1.03 ng/g dw). SAC, CYC, and ACE were detected in sediments (<MDL to 4.17 ng/g dw), with SAC as the dominant AS. In surface water, the Σ4 ASs concentrations of Hanyang station were higher than those of Hankou, while the Σ4 ASs concentrations in sediment samples from different regions showed no significant difference. The ASs concentrations in the surface water and sediment in winter were significantly higher than those in summer. Relatively higher concentrations and detected frequencies of SUC and ACE were found in surface water samples, whereas these two ASs were absent in background samples, which indicates that SUC and ACE can be used as potential indicators of wastewater contamination in Wuhan, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehan Fu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Ling Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Cuiyun Wei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Jie Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China; College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China.
| | - Yong Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, PR China
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Tran NH, Reinhard M, Khan E, Chen H, Nguyen VT, Li Y, Goh SG, Nguyen QB, Saeidi N, Gin KYH. Emerging contaminants in wastewater, stormwater runoff, and surface water: Application as chemical markers for diffuse sources. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 676:252-267. [PMID: 31048157 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse sources of pollution such as sewer leakages, sewer overflows, illicit discharges and stormwater runoff affect the urban surface water quality but often remain unknown. Therefore, the development of chemical markers for identifying and characterizing the origin of diffuse sources of pollution in urban surface waters is a requisite for protecting and managing urban water resources. In this study, the occurrence of 31 emerging contaminants (ECs) in untreated wastewater, treated wastewater, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural stormwater runoff, and freshwater bodies was investigated. Artificial sweeteners (ASs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were more frequently detected in the collected water samples. In raw wastewater, 21 target ECs were detected 100% in the collected samples with median concentrations ranging from 49.6 to 77,721 ng/L, while in freshwater bodies, only 13 compounds were found with detection frequency >50%. The median concentration of the majority of detected ECs in freshwater samples was below 100 ng/L. The suitability of ECs as chemical markers of diffuse sources in an urban watershed was assessed using a suite of criteria, including the detection frequency (DF), detection ratio (DR) (i.e. the ratio between median concentration and method quantification limit of a compound) and attenuation rates (i.e., biodegradation, sorption and abiotic degradation) in wastewater treatment processes. In addition, we propose a new key criterion, the concentration ratio (CR) of labile to conservative compounds, to evaluate the applicability of suitable chemical markers for source tracking. Using this new set of criteria (i.e. CR, DF, DR and attenuation rates), our analysis showed that among the investigated ECs, only acesulfame (ACE), acetaminophen (ACT), cyclamate (CYC), saccharin (SAC) were suitable as chemical markers of diffuse sources in surface waters. For caffeine (CF), N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), crotamiton (CTMT), triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS), their median concentration ratio to sucralose (SUC) in water bodies was consistently higher than that in raw wastewater, suggesting that these compounds might be unsuitable as chemical markers of sewage leakage in surface waters for this study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Han Tran
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, T-Lab Building, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam.
| | - Martin Reinhard
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eakalak Khan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), 4505S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Huiting Chen
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, T-Lab Building, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | | | - Yiwen Li
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Shin Giek Goh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Q B Nguyen
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam
| | - Nazanin Saeidi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, T-Lab Building, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
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Cantwell MG, Katz DR, Sullivan JC, Lyman M. Evaluation of wastewater tracers to predict pharmaceutical distributions and behavior in the Long Island Sound estuary. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 220:629-636. [PMID: 30599320 PMCID: PMC8439013 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
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 located in the Northeastern U.S. Pharmaceutical concentrations were highest in western LIS, ranging from non-detect to 71 ng L-1 and declining steadily eastward, while river samples from four major tributaries ranged from non-detect to 83 ng L-1. 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Cantwell
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
| | - David R Katz
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | | | - Matthew Lyman
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
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12
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Nitka AL, DeVita WM, McGinley PM. Evaluating a chemical source-tracing suite for septic system nitrate in household wells. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 148:438-445. [PMID: 30408730 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Reducing human and ecological risks of groundwater nitrate contamination requires understanding the source of nitrate. Land use practices, such as agriculture and residential development, can increase groundwater nitrate concentrations. This study evaluated a chemical source-tracing suite that paired analysis of agricultural herbicide metabolites and human wastewater constituents. The source-tracing suite was tested in an area subject to nitrate from both agriculture and on-site waste ("septic") systems. Monitoring wells showed that agricultural contamination was deeper (>5 m) in the aquifer consistent with its origin a greater distance from wells and that on-site waste ("septic system") contamination was shallower in the aquifer (<3 m). Repeated sampling of seventeen household wells showed evidence of both agricultural and on-site waste contamination in wells with higher nitrate concentrations. The artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole were the only septic system indicators consistently detected. Less persistent compounds, such as caffeine and acetaminophen, were never detected in the household wells indicating they were attenuated over the distance between septic system and well and reducing their utility as a tracer of septic system nitrate. Overall, there was a positive relationship between sucralose, acesulfame and nitrate in wells with low levels of agricultural contamination although the relationship varied between wells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Nitka
- Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, USA.
| | - W M DeVita
- Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, USA.
| | - P M McGinley
- Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI, 54481, USA.
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13
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Baena-Nogueras RM, Traverso-Soto JM, Biel-Maeso M, Villar-Navarro E, Lara-Martín PA. Sources and trends of artificial sweeteners in coastal waters in the bay of Cadiz (NE Atlantic). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:607-616. [PMID: 30301079 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.07.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
This is the first comprehensive study on the input, occurrence, and distribution of artificial sweeteners (ASs) in coastal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their receiving coastal waters. Acesulfame (ACE), aspartame (ASP), cyclamate (CYC), saccharine (SAC), and sucralose (SUC) were monitored for 6 months in Cadiz Bay (SW Spain). ASP was always detected at <0.1 μg L-1 and removal efficiencies were >90% for SAC and CYC. Higher ACE removal efficiencies were observed during warmer months. Persistence of ACE and SUC was observed in both WWTPs and their receiving coastal surface waters, where values up to 0.6 and 3 μg L-1 were measured, respectively. The highest concentrations were measured in a sewage-impacted estuary located in the north of the bay, where conservative behavior was confirmed. The source specificity and recalcitrance of ACE and SUC make them suitable for being used as sewage-pollution markers in coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa María Baena-Nogueras
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Campus Rio San Pedro, University of Cadiz, CEI·MAR, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Juan M Traverso-Soto
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Campus Rio San Pedro, University of Cadiz, CEI·MAR, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Miriam Biel-Maeso
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Campus Rio San Pedro, University of Cadiz, CEI·MAR, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Elena Villar-Navarro
- Department of Environmental Technologies, Marine Research Institute (INMAR), Campus Rio San Pedro, University of Cadiz, CEI·MAR, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain
| | - Pablo A Lara-Martín
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Campus Rio San Pedro, University of Cadiz, CEI·MAR, Puerto Real, 11510 Cadiz, Spain.
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14
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Doummar J, Aoun M. Assessment of the origin and transport of four selected emerging micropollutants sucralose, Acesulfame-K, gemfibrozil, and iohexol in a karst spring during a multi-event spring response. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2018; 215:11-20. [PMID: 29983209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of vulnerability in karst systems reveals to be extremely challenging since it varies significantly with time and highly depends on the identification of diffuse and concentrated infiltration from surface karst features. The origin, consumed loads, and transport mode of selected micropollutants (MPs) including two artificial sweeteners (ASWs) Sucralose (SUC) and Acesulfame-K (ACE-K), in addition to other less investigated pharmaceuticals such as the lipid regulator Gemfibrozil (GEM), and the contrast media Iohexol (IOX) were investigated in a karst system under dynamic conditions. A detailed analysis of selected spring responses' chemograph and hydrograph following a multi precipitation event shows that three of the tracked MPs, especially ACE-K, and to the exception of IOX, can be used as specific indicators for point source domestic wastewater in karst systems. They have revealed to be persistent, source specific, conservative, and highly correlated with in-situ parameters easily measurable at the spring (chloride and turbidity). Even if the selected MPs are found in the system during low flow periods, they are mostly transported to the spring through fast flow pathways from flushed wastewater with surface water or flood rainwater. The highest mass inflow of ACE-K, IOX and GEM originated from a sinking stream, while SUC infiltrated exclusively through fast infiltration points (dolines). Their breakthrough curves coincide with the arrival of new waters and turbidity peaks. Unlike IOX, the mass fluxes of ASWs, and GEM to a lesser extent, can be linearly correlated with chloride mass fluxes and turbidity flux. Moreover, the variance of the normalized breakthrough curves of the MPs with respect to a mean transit time, increases in that order IOX<GEM<Turbidity<SUC<ACE-K indicating a higher restitution time for ACE-K with respect to other spring signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Doummar
- Department of Geology, American University of Beirut, PO Box: 11-0236/26, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Michel Aoun
- Department of Geology, American University of Beirut, PO Box: 11-0236/26, Beirut, Lebanon
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15
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Cantwell MG, Katz DR, Sullivan JC, Shapley D, Lipscomb J, Epstein J, Juhl AR, Knudson C, O'Mullan GD. Spatial patterns of pharmaceuticals and wastewater tracers in the Hudson River Estuary. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 137:335-343. [PMID: 29571111 PMCID: PMC6582947 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of pharmaceuticals by human populations results in their sustained discharge to surface waters via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, 16 highly prescribed pharmaceuticals were quantified along a 250 km transect of the Hudson River Estuary and New York Harbor to describe their sources and spatial patterns. Sampling was conducted over two dry weather periods in May and July 2016, at 72 sites which included mid-channel and nearshore sites, as well as locations influenced by tributaries and WWTP outfalls. The detection frequency of the study pharmaceuticals was almost identical between the May and July sampling periods at 55% and 52%, respectively. Six pharmaceuticals were measurable at 92% or more of the sites during both sampling periods, illustrating their ubiquitous presence throughout the study area. Individual pharmaceutical concentrations were highly variable spatially, ranging from non-detect to 3810 ng/L during the study. Major factors controlling concentrations were proximity and magnitude of WWTP discharges, inputs from tributaries and tidal mixing. Two compounds, sucralose and caffeine, were evaluated as tracers to identify wastewater sources and assess pharmaceutical behavior. Sucralose was useful in identifying wastewater inputs to the river and concentrations showed excellent correlations with numerous pharmaceuticals in the study. Caffeine-sucralose ratios showed potential in identifying discharges of untreated wastewater occurring during a combined sewage overflow event. Many of the study pharmaceuticals were present throughout the Hudson River Estuary as a consequence of sustained wastewater discharge. Whereas some concentrations were above published effects levels, a more complete risk assessment is needed to understand the potential for ecological impacts due to pharmaceuticals in the Hudson River Estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Cantwell
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
| | - David R Katz
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | | | - Daniel Shapley
- Riverkeeper Inc., 20 Secor Road, Ossining, NY 10562, USA
| | - John Lipscomb
- Riverkeeper Inc., 20 Secor Road, Ossining, NY 10562, USA
| | | | - Andrew R Juhl
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
| | - Carol Knudson
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
| | - Gregory D O'Mullan
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA
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16
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Ma L, Liu Y, Xu J, Sun H, Chen H, Yao Y, Zhang P, Shen F, Alder AC. Mass loading of typical artificial sweeteners in a pig farm and their dissipation and uptake by plants in neighboring farmland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 605-606:735-744. [PMID: 28675883 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pig farm is an important potential source for artificial sweeteners (ASs) in the environment due to their wide use as additives in pig feed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fate of typical ASs in pig farm and neighboring farmland. For this purpose, the levels of four typical artificial ASs, i.e. saccharin (SAC), cyclamate (CYC), acesulfame (ACE) and sucralose (SUC), in pig feed and manure from a pig farm and water samples from an on-farm wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Tianjin, China were measured and the mass loadings and removal efficiencies were assessed. Moreover, the levels of ASs in different layers of soil and vegetables in neighboring farmland that received manure fertilizers and wastewater from the farm were consecutively monitored for 60-80days. The SAC, CYC and ACE were widely determined in all kinds of the samples, while SUC was only found in few soil samples. The mass loadings of the ASs in pig feed were estimated up to 311kg/year for SAC, 59.1kg/year for CYC, and 17.1kg/year for ACE, respectively. The fractions of the total mass of ASs excreted via manure were estimated to be 36.0% for SAC, 59.4% for CYC, and 36.7% for ACE as compared to those in pig feed. High removal efficiencies (>90%) of ASs in the on-farm WWTP was achieved. In greenhouse soils, CYC, SAC, ACE, and SUC were degraded quickly, with half-lives of 4.3-5.9 d, 2.7-4.2 d, 8.4-12.3 d, and 7.3-10.8 d, respectively. Lower levels of ASs were found in deeper soil layer (20-30cm). The ASs were considerably absorbed by plants when the ASs' concentrations were high in soil. This study presents the first comprehensive overview of ASs fate from a pig farm to the neighboring agricultural ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yarui Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiayao Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Fengju Shen
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Tianjin 300191, China
| | - Aldredo C Alder
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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17
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Recent Advances in the Use of Chemical Markers for Tracing Wastewater Contamination in Aquatic Environment: A Review. WATER 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/w9020143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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18
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James CA, Miller-Schulze JP, Ultican S, Gipe AD, Baker JE. Evaluating Contaminants of Emerging Concern as tracers of wastewater from septic systems. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 101:241-251. [PMID: 27262552 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial and nutrient contamination from anthropogenic sources impacts fresh and marine waters, reducing water quality and restricting recreational and commercial activities. In many cases the source of this contamination is ambiguous, and a tracer or set of tracers linking contamination to source would be valuable. In this work, the effectiveness of utilizing a suite of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) as tracers of bacteria from human septic system effluent is investigated. Field sampling was performed at more than 20 locations over approximately 18 months and analyzed for a suite of CECs and fecal coliform bacteria. The sampling locations included seeps and small freshwater discharges to the shoreline. Sites were selected and grouped according to level of impact by septic systems as determined by previous field sampling programs. A subset of selected locations had been positively identified as being impacted by effluent from failing septic systems through dye testing. The CECs were selected based on their predominant use, their frequency of use, and putative fate and transport properties. In addition, two rounds of focused sampling were performed at selected sites to characterize short-term variations in CEC and fecal coliform concentrations, and to evaluate environmental persistence following source correction activities. The results indicate that a suite of common use compounds are suitable as generalized tracers of bacterial contamination from septic systems and that fate and transport properties are important in tracer selection. Highly recalcitrant or highly labile compounds likely follow different loss profiles in the subsurface compared to fecal bacteria and are not suitable tracers. The use of more than one tracer compound is recommended due to source variability of septic systems and to account for variations in the subsurface condition. In addition, concentrations of some CECs were measured in receiving waters at levels which suggested the potential for environmental harm, indicating that the possible risk presented from these sources warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Andrew James
- University of Washington Tacoma at Center for Urban Waters, 326 East D Street, Tacoma, WA, 98421, United States.
| | - Justin P Miller-Schulze
- University of Washington Tacoma at Center for Urban Waters, 326 East D Street, Tacoma, WA, 98421, United States.
| | - Shawn Ultican
- Kitsap Public Health District, 345 6th St #300, Bremerton, WA, 98337, United States.
| | - Alex D Gipe
- University of Washington Tacoma at Center for Urban Waters, 326 East D Street, Tacoma, WA, 98421, United States.
| | - Joel E Baker
- University of Washington Tacoma at Center for Urban Waters, 326 East D Street, Tacoma, WA, 98421, United States.
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19
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Fairbairn DJ, Arnold WA, Barber BL, Kaufenberg EF, Koskinen WC, Novak PJ, Rice PJ, Swackhamer DL. Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Mass Balance and Comparison of Wastewater Effluent and Upstream Sources in a Mixed-Use Watershed. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:36-45. [PMID: 26605430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the sources, transport, and spatiotemporal variability of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is important for understanding risks and developing monitoring and mitigation strategies. This study used mass balances to compare wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and upstream sources of 16 CECs to a mixed-use watershed in Minnesota, under different seasonal and hydrological conditions. Three distinct CEC groups emerged with respect to their source proportionality and instream behavior. Agricultural herbicides and daidzein inputs were primarily via upstream routes with the greatest loadings and concentrations during high flows. Trimethoprim, mecoprop, nonprescription pharmaceuticals, and personal care products entered the system via balanced/mixed pathways with peak loadings and concentrations in high flows. Carbaryl, 4-nonylphenol, and the remaining prescription pharmaceuticals entered the system via WWTP effluent with relatively stable loadings across sampling events. Mass balance analysis based on multiple sampling events and sites facilitated CEC source comparisons and may therefore prove to be a powerful tool for apportioning sources and exploring mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Fairbairn
- University of Minnesota , Water Resources Center, 1985 Buford Ave., St Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - William A Arnold
- University of Minnesota , Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Brian L Barber
- University of Minnesota , Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, 1902 Dudley Ave, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Elizabeth F Kaufenberg
- University of Minnesota , Water Resources Center, 1985 Buford Ave., St Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - William C Koskinen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Paige J Novak
- University of Minnesota , Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Pamela J Rice
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
| | - Deborah L Swackhamer
- University of Minnesota , Water Resources Center, 1985 Buford Ave., St Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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20
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Tran NH, Gin KYH, Ngo HH. Fecal pollution source tracking toolbox for identification, evaluation and characterization of fecal contamination in receiving urban surface waters and groundwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 538:38-57. [PMID: 26298247 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The quality of surface waters/groundwater of a geographical region can be affected by anthropogenic activities, land use patterns and fecal pollution sources from humans and animals. Therefore, the development of an efficient fecal pollution source tracking toolbox for identifying the origin of the fecal pollution sources in surface waters/groundwater is especially helpful for improving management efforts and remediation actions of water resources in a more cost-effective and efficient manner. This review summarizes the updated knowledge on the use of fecal pollution source tracking markers for detecting, evaluating and characterizing fecal pollution sources in receiving surface waters and groundwater. The suitability of using chemical markers (i.e. fecal sterols, fluorescent whitening agents, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and artificial sweeteners) and/or microbial markers (e.g. F+RNA coliphages, enteric viruses, and host-specific anaerobic bacterial 16S rDNA genetic markers) for tracking fecal pollution sources in receiving water bodies is discussed. In addition, this review also provides a comprehensive approach, which is based on the detection ratios (DR), detection frequencies (DF), and fate of potential microbial and chemical markers. DR and DF are considered as the key criteria for selecting appropriate markers for identifying and evaluating the impacts of fecal contamination in surface waters/groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Han Tran
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore.
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore.
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
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21
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Tran NH, Gan J, Nguyen VT, Chen H, You L, Duarah A, Zhang L, Gin KYH. Sorption and biodegradation of artificial sweeteners in activated sludge processes. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2015; 197:329-338. [PMID: 26342347 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
There is limited information on the occurrence and removal of artificial sweeteners (ASs) in biological wastewater treatment plants, and in particular, the contribution of sorption and biodegradation to their removal. This study investigated the fate of ASs in both the aqueous and solid phases in a water reclamation plant (WRP). All the four targeted ASs, i.e. acesulfame (ACE), sucralose (SUC), cyclamate (CYC) and saccharine (SAC), were detected in both the aqueous and solid phases of raw influent and primary effluent samples. The concentrations of CYC and SAC in secondary effluent or MBR permeate were below their method detection limits. ACE and SUC were persistent throughout the WRP, whereas CYC and SAC were completely removed in biological treatment (>99%). Experimental results showed that sorption played a minor role in the elimination of the ASs due to the relatively low sorption coefficients (Kd), where Kd<500L/kg. In particular, the poor removal of ACE and SUC in the WRP may be attributed to their physiochemical properties (i.e. logKow<0 or logD<3.2) and chemical structures containing strong withdrawing electron functional groups in heterocyclic rings (i.e. chloride and sulfonate).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Han Tran
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore.
| | - Jie Gan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Viet Tung Nguyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore; PUB, WaterHub, 82 Toh Guan Road East, Singapore
| | - Huiting Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Luhua You
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | | | | | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
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22
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Bergheim M, Gminski R, Spangenberg B, Debiak M, Bürkle A, Mersch-Sundermann V, Kümmerer K, Gieré R. Antibiotics and sweeteners in the aquatic environment: biodegradability, formation of phototransformation products, and in vitro toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:18017-18030. [PMID: 26169816 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4831-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, in vitro toxicity as well as biopersistence and photopersistence of four artificial sweeteners (acesulfame, cyclamate, saccharine, and sucralose) and five antibiotics (levofloxacin, lincomycin, linezolid, marbofloxacin, and sarafloxacin) and of their phototransformation products (PTPs) were investigated. Furthermore, antibiotic activity was evaluated after UV irradiation and after exposure to inocula of a sewage treatment plant. The study reveals that most of the tested compounds and their PTPs were neither readily nor inherently biodegradable in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)-biodegradability tests. The study further demonstrates that PTPs are formed upon irradiation with an Hg lamp (UV light) and, to a lesser extent, upon irradiation with a Xe lamp (mimics sunlight). Comparing the nonirradiated with the corresponding irradiated solutions, a higher chronic toxicity against bacteria was found for the irradiated solutions of linezolid. Neither cytotoxicity nor genotoxicity was found in human cervical (HeLa) and liver (Hep-G2) cells for any of the investigated compounds or their PTPs. Antimicrobial activity of the tested fluoroquinolones was reduced after UV treatment, but it was not reduced after a 28-day exposure to inocula of a sewage treatment plant. This comparative study shows that PTPs can be formed as a result of UV treatment. The study further demonstrated that UV irradiation can be effective in reducing the antimicrobial activity of antibiotics, and consequently may help to reduce antimicrobial resistance in wastewaters. Nevertheless, the study also highlights that some PTPs may exhibit a higher ecotoxicity than the respective parent compounds. Consequently, UV treatment does not transform all micropollutants into harmless compounds and may not be a large-scale effluent treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Bergheim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Section of Toxicology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 115B, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
- Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 23b, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Richard Gminski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Section of Toxicology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 115B, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Bernd Spangenberg
- Process Engineering and Environmental Technologies, University of Applied Sciences, Badstrasse 24, 77652, Offenburg, Germany.
| | - Malgorzata Debiak
- Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Alexander Bürkle
- Molecular Toxicology Group, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Volker Mersch-Sundermann
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Section of Toxicology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 115B, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Klaus Kümmerer
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Section of Toxicology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 115B, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
- Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststraße 1/C13, 21335, Lueneburg, Germany.
| | - Reto Gieré
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6316, USA.
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23
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Schenck K, Rosenblum L, Ramakrishnan B, Carson J, Macke D, Nietch C. Correlation of trace contaminants to wastewater management practices in small watersheds. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2015; 17:956-64. [PMID: 25881834 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00583j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Ten low-order streams draining headwater catchments within the East Fork Little Miami Watershed were evaluated throughout one year for the presence of six steroidal hormones, the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, the antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban, and the artificial sweetener sucralose. The wastewater management practices in the catchments included septic systems, sanitary sewers, a combination of both, and a parkland with no treatment systems. The concentrations and detection frequencies of sucralose showed a significant positive correlation with the septic density in each catchment. A similar relationship was found for sulfamethoxazole. Both sucralose and sulfamethoxazole are hydrophilic and unlikely to be removed effectively by sorption during septic treatment. The concentrations and detection frequencies of the antimicrobials were also positively correlated with septic density. The presence of the antimicrobials in the streams indicates that although they are hydrophobic, removal during septic treatment was incomplete. The target analytes that correlated with septic density were also detected in stream samples collected below a wastewater treatment plant located within the same watershed. The steroidal hormone estrone was the most frequently detected analyte at all sites. However, the estrone concentrations and detection frequencies did not correlate with the septic density due to multiple non-point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Schenck
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, USA.
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Gan Z, Sun H, Yao Y, Zhao Y, Li Y, Zhang Y, Hu H, Wang R. Distribution of artificial sweeteners in dust and soil in China and their seasonal variations in the environment of Tianjin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 488-489:168-175. [PMID: 24830929 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A nationwide investigation on the occurrence of artificial sweeteners (ASs) was conducted by collecting 98 paired outdoor dust and soil samples from mainland China. The ASs were widely detected in Chinese atmospheric dry deposition and soil samples, at concentrations up to 6450 and 1280 ng/g, respectively. To give a picture on AS distribution and source in the whole environment, the concentrations and seasonal variations of ASs in Tianjin were studied, including atmosphere, soil, and water samples. The AS levels were significantly higher in Haihe river at TJW (a sampling site in central city) in winter, while no obviously seasonal trends were obtained at BYL (close to a AS factory) and the site at a wastewater treatment plant. Saccharin, cyclamate, and acesulfame were the dominant ASs in both gas and particulate phase, with concentrations varying from 0.02 to 1940 pg/m(3). Generally, gas phase concentrations of the ASs were relatively higher in summer, while opposite results were acquired for particulate phase. Wet and dry deposition fluxes were calculated based on the measured AS levels. The results indicated that both wet and dry deposition could efficiently remove ASs in the atmosphere and act as important pollutant sources for the ASs in surface environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Gan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yangyang Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yanwei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongwei Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ruonan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Tran NH, Hu J, Li J, Ong SL. Suitability of artificial sweeteners as indicators of raw wastewater contamination in surface water and groundwater. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 48:443-56. [PMID: 24156949 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.09.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2013] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
There is no quantitative data on the occurrence of artificial sweeteners in the aquatic environment in Southeast Asian countries, particularly no information on their suitability as indicators of raw wastewater contamination on surface water and groundwater. This study provided the first quantitative information on the occurrence of artificial sweeteners in raw wastewater, surface water and groundwater in the urban catchment area in Singapore. Acesulfame, cyclamate, saccharin, and sucralose were ubiquitous in raw wastewater samples at concentrations in the range of ng/L-μg/L, while other sweeteners were not found or found only in a few of the raw wastewater samples. Residential and commercial effluents were demonstrated to be the two main sources of artificial sweeteners entering the municipal sewer systems. Relatively higher concentrations of the detected sweeteners were frequently found in surface waters at the sampling sites located in the residential/commercial areas. No significant difference in the concentrations of the detected sweeteners in surface water or groundwater was noted between wet and dry weather conditions (unpaired T-test, p> 0.05). Relatively higher concentrations and detection frequencies of acesulfame, cyclamate and saccharin in surface water samples were observed at the potentially impacted sampling sites, while these sweeteners were absent in most of the background surface water samples. Similarly, acesulfame, cyclamate, and saccharin were found in most groundwater samples at the monitoring well (GW6), which is located close to known leaking sewer segment; whereas these were absent in the background monitoring well, which is located in the catchment with no known wastewater sources. Taken together, the results suggest that acesulfame, cyclamate, and saccharin can be used as potential indicators of raw wastewater contamination in surface water and groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Han Tran
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
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Badruzzaman M, Oppenheimer JA, Jacangelo JG. Impact of environmental conditions on the suitability of microconstituents as markers for determining nutrient loading from reclaimed water. WATER RESEARCH 2013; 47:6198-210. [PMID: 24054084 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 07/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen and phosphorous loading into waterways from designated beneficial uses of reclaimed water is a growing concern in many parts of the United States. Numerous studies have documented that organic microconstituents present in the reclaimed water can be utilized as indicators of its influence on surface water bodies. However, little to no information is available on the environmental attenuation of these microconstituents relative to the nutrients, which is a critical component in determining the effectiveness or limitations of those markers as a tool for elucidating their origins. In this study, the stability of selected markers (sucralose, carbamazepine, gadolinium anomaly, iohexol, and atenolol) was evaluated through bench-scale studies designed to simulate environmental conditions associated with biodegradation, adsorption, and photolysis. The primary pathway for nitrogen reduction was biodegradation (greater than 99%) while the highest phosphorous removal was due to adsorption (30-80%). Soils with low organic content were selected for this study. Sucralose was the most recalcitrant microconstituent in the environment with less than 15% removal by adsorption, biodegradation, or photolysis. Iohexol was too susceptible to photolysis (90% removal), and atenolol was susceptible to biodegradation (60-80% removal). Gd anomaly was fairly stable (less than 30% removal) in the environment. Carbamazepine was another efficacious marker for wastewater, but was susceptible (50% removal) to photolysis. Of the selected microconstituents, only atenolol showed any similarity with the attenuation observed for nitrate and none of the microconstituents showed any similarity with the attenuation observed for phosphorus.
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Gan Z, Sun H, Feng B, Wang R, Zhang Y. Occurrence of seven artificial sweeteners in the aquatic environment and precipitation of Tianjin, China. WATER RESEARCH 2013; 47:4928-37. [PMID: 23866151 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Seventy water samples, including wastewaters, tap waters, fresh surface waters, coastal waters, groundwaters, and precipitation samples, from Tianjin, China, were analyzed for seven commonly used artificial sweeteners (ASs). The concentrations of the investigated ASs were generally in the order of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent > WWTP effluent > surface water > tap water > groundwater ≈ precipitation, while the composition profiles of ASs varied in different waters. Acesulfame, sucralose, cyclamate, and saccharin were consistently detected in surface waters and ranged from 50 ng/L to 0.12 mg/L, while acesulfame was the dominant AS in surface and tap waters. Aspartame was found in all of the surface waters at a concentration up to 0.21 μg/L, but was not found in groundwaters and tap waters. Neotame and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone were less frequently detected and the concentrations were low. The concentrations of the ASs in some of the surface waters were of the same order with those in the WWTP influents, but not with the effluents, indicating there are probably untreated discharges into the surface waters. The ASs were detected in precipitation samples with high frequency, and acesulfame, saccharin, and cyclamate were the predominant ASs, with concentrations ranging from 3.5 ng/L to 1.3 μg/L. A gross estimation revealed that precipitation may act as a source for saccharin and cyclamate in the surface environment of Tianjin city. Moreover, the presence of ASs in the atmosphere was primarily assessed by taking 4 air samples to evaluate their potential source in precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Gan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Street, Tianjin 300071, China
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