Expanded target-chemical analysis reveals extensive mixed-organic-contaminant exposure in USA streams
Surface water from 38 streams nationwide was assessed using 14 target-organic methods (719 compounds). Designed-bioactive anthropogenic contaminants (biocides, pharmaceuticals) comprised 57% of 406 organics detected at least once. The 10 most-frequently detected anthropogenic-organics included eight pesticides (desulfinylfipronil, AMPA, chlorpyrifos, dieldrin, metolachlor, atrazine, CIAT, glyphosate) and two pharmaceuticals (caffeine, metformin) with detection frequencies ranging 66–84% of all sites. Detected contaminant concentrations varied from less than 1 ng L–1 to greater than 10 μg L–1, with 77 and 278 having median detected concentrations greater than 100 ng L–1 and 10 ng L–1, respectively. Cumulative detections and concentrations ranged 4–161 compounds (median 70) and 8.5–102 847 ng L–1, respectively, and correlated significantly with wastewater discharge, watershed development, and toxic release inventory metrics. Log10 concentrations of widely monitored HHCB, triclosan, and carbamazepine explained 71–82% of the variability in the total number of compounds detected (linear regression; p-values: < 0.001–0.012), providing a statistical inference tool for unmonitored contaminants. Due to multiple modes of action, high bioactivity, biorecalcitrance, and direct environment application (pesticides), designed-bioactive organics (median 41 per site at μg L–1 cumulative concentrations) in developed watersheds present aquatic health concerns, given their acknowledged potential for sublethal effects to sensitive species and lifecycle stages at low ng L–1.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | Expanded target-chemical analysis reveals extensive mixed-organic-contaminant exposure in USA streams |
| DOI | 10.1021/acs.est.7b00012 |
| Authors | Paul M. Bradley, Celeste A. Journey, Kristin M. Romanok, Larry B. Barber, Herbert T. Buxton, William T. Foreman, Edward T. Furlong, Susan T. Glassmeyer, Michelle L. Hladik, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Daniel Jones, Dana W. Kolpin, Kathryn M. Kuivila, Keith A. Loftin, Marc A. Mills, Michael T. Meyer, James L. Orlando, Timothy J. Reilly, Kelly L. Smalling, Daniel L. Villeneuve |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| Index ID | 70186864 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | California Water Science Center; South Atlantic Water Science Center |
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Paul M Bradley
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Dana W Kolpin
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Targeted-Organic-Chemical Analysis Concentration Data for Surface-Water Samples Collected from 38 Stream Sites across the USA during 2012-2014
Surface-water organic contaminant concentration data for targeted chemical analysis of over 800 organic analytes in surface water from 38 stream site representing national gradients in urban and agricultural land use in the USA during 2012-14. ScienceBase Data Release for journal article entitled, "Targeted-Chemical Analysis Reveals Extensive Mixed-Organic-Contamination in USA Streams". - Connect
Paul M Bradley
Research Ecologist/HydrologistEmailWilliam T Foreman
Research ChemistEmailDana W Kolpin
Research HydrologistEmailPhoneKathryn Kuivila (Former Employee)
Scientist EmeritusTimothy Reilly
Environmental Health Deputy Program CoordinatorEmailPhone