By research hydrologists William Battaglin and Dana Kolpin, research chemist Edward Furlong and hydrologist Lori Sprague, of U.S. Geological Survey
Emerging contaminants (ECs) are chemicals that occur in the nation’s streams and groundwater. The occurrence of some ECs poses a known environmental or public health risk, but adequate data do not exist to determine the potential risk for most of these chemicals.
ECs are used every day in our homes and farms, and by businesses and industry. The use of household chemicals, fragrances, prescription and nonprescription drugs, personal care products, disinfectants and pesticides can result in the occurrence of the chemical components of these products in the environment. Research indicates that some ECs can act as endocrine-disrupting compounds and are present in municipal wastewater effluent at concentrations capable of inducing feminization in fish.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed new analytical capabilities that allow scientists to identify ECs in extremely small concentrations (nanograms per liter). These analyses have been conducted on environmental samples from the nation’s streams and groundwater; and on stream sediments and biosolids. For a related article, see “National Water Quality Lab finds trends in emerging contaminants."
Not surprisingly, ECs were detected frequently in stream samples collected downstream of urban areas, but selected ECs were also detected in streams draining agricultural and undeveloped watersheds, and in groundwater.
Among the most frequently detected compounds were plant and animal steroids, insect repellents, detergent metabolites and nonprescription drugs. Detection of multiple ECs commonly occurs in the environment, indicating that synergistic or additive effects from mixtures of ECs will need to be evaluated. Bed sediments, livestock wastes and treated municipal sludge can also act as terrestrial nonpoint sources of ECs to the environment. EC concentrations in the parts-per-million range can occur in such waste products.
A wide range of ECs were detected in water samples collected from streams and wells in Colorado (Sprague and Battaglin, 2005). The concentrations of four ECs are shown in the graph below. While there is little concern for low concentrations of caffeine, DEET is a potent insect repellent, and both nonylphenol and triclosan are potential endocrine-disrupting compounds. |
| Graph shows concentrations of caffeine (nonprescription drug), DEET (insect repellant), nonylphenol (detergent metabolite) and triclosan (disinfectant) in samples from streams and wells in Colorado from 2001 to 2003. (Enlarge) |
The Consortium for Research and Education on Emerging Contaminants (CREEC) is a grassroots community of world-class scientists and stakeholders from the Rocky Mountain region. CREEC scientists at the local, university, state and federal level have expertise in hydrology, aquatic biology, environmental geochemistry, analytical chemistry, wastewater and drinking water treatment technology, and wildlife toxicology.
CREEC regional stakeholders include regulators, policy makers, public health workers, drinking water providers, wastewater treatment providers and concerned citizens.
CREEC members are proactive regarding the issue of ECs in the region’s environment.
CREEC provides a forum to share ideas, resources and expertise, and creates a focal point for financial support and data interpretation. CREEC members work together to communicate EC-related study results to policy makers and the general public in a way that will produce understanding without unwarranted alarm.
For more information contact William Battaglin at 303-236-4882 x256 or at wbattagl@usgs.gov.For additional information about emerging contaminants logon http://toxics.usgs.gov/regional/emc/index.html.
For information about an upcoming conference in Vail, Colo., see Emerging Contaminants of Concern in the Environment: Issues, Investigations and Solutions.
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