Fate of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, Nonylphenol, and Estrogenic Activity during Managed Infiltration of Wastewater Effluent
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 6
Abstract
About a billion cubic meters of wastewater effluent are artificially recharged annually in the United States for maintenance of groundwater levels and prevention of seawater intrusion. There is concern that trace contaminants, including various endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), are not completely removed during infiltration, leading to deterioration of groundwater quality. In this work, we investigate the mechanisms and efficiency of EDC removal at the Sweetwater Recharge Facility, which is used to recharge secondary effluent from the Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tucson, Ariz. Material was collected from the top meter of sediments in two infiltration basins and analyzed for extractable nonylphenol (NP), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and total estrogenic activity. The basins differed significantly in length of service (7 versus 15 years). Nevertheless, profiles of extractable contaminants and estrogenic activity were similar in the two basins. Results suggest that hydrophobic determinants of estrogenic activity are efficiently retained in surface sediments during soil-aquifer treatment. However, measurable levels of PBDEs, NP, and estrogenic activity are present in infiltrate that reaches the local unconfined aquifer at below land surface.
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Acknowledgments
Charlotte Hamilton and Judee Aten were responsible for preparation of the manuscript. The recombinant yeast strain used in the yeast estrogen screen assay was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (Middlesex, U.K.) and provided by John Sumpter, Brunel University. Thanks to Danielle Benkert, Michael Shaffer, and Steve Rowland for help running the in vitro assays. This work was supported by The University of Arizona, Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), Water Sustainability Program; the United States Environmental Protection Agency (Project No. 99115SG) and the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (Project No. 487). Sediment and groundwater samples were obtained with the kind assistance of the City of Tucson, Tucson Water Department. The writers are grateful to personnel from the Pima County Wastewater Management Department for assistance in obtaining effluent from RRWTP.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 6 • June 2008
Pages: 433 - 442
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: May 21, 2007
Accepted: Nov 7, 2007
Published online: Jun 1, 2008
Published in print: Jun 2008
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