Event Title
Presentation Abstract
Bacterial and nutrient contamination of streams and marine water effect many areas around the Salish Sea. Identifying and correcting the sources of this pollution can be a challenging task. This project investigated using a suite of chemicals known as Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) to differentiate between human-associated sources such as sewage or farm runoff, and those coming from natural sources like wildlife. These CEC are chemicals which include medicines, herbicides, and compounds commonly consumed by humans. Advances in analytical methods over the last decade allow these compounds to be detected at very low concentrations (ng/L) in surface water samples. Surface water impacted by human activity may contain CEC that could be used to identify likely sources. To test this hypothesis, sampling was conducted under a collaborative partnership between the Kitsap Public Health District, and University of Washington Center for Urban Waters. Sites were selected to represent locations affected by known failing septic systems, agricultural run off, some unknown sources, and background controls. Samples were analyzed for a suite of 20 CEC compounds, as well as fecal coliform bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorous. The results indicate that CEC in the environment can be highly variable, depending on the type of source, transport pathway, and site conditions. Some compounds are persistent and widespread, while others are rarely detected. Individual CEC compounds used by themselves are probably not suitable to differentiate pollution from human activites. However, several compounds used together, such as ibuprofen, acetominophen, and metabolites of caffeine and nicotine show promising correlation with human sources of bacterial pollution. The value of other CEC as source tracking tools may depend on using them in combination, or in comparison to background concentrations. NOTE: Another abstract based on this sampling project has been submitted for the session on Occurrence and Impacts of Contaminants of Emerging Concern. (Paper#236) This abstract is for an oral presentation in the Water Pollution Identification & Correction session.
Session Title
Session S-07C: Water Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Programs: Methods, Resources, and Success Stories
Conference Track
Water Quality
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 3:30 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
Location
Room 606
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Water--Pollution--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Identification; ;Water--Pollution--Effect of human beings on--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Identification
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Contaminants of Emerging Concern as a Tool to Differentiate Bacterial Contamination from Human Activity
Room 606
Bacterial and nutrient contamination of streams and marine water effect many areas around the Salish Sea. Identifying and correcting the sources of this pollution can be a challenging task. This project investigated using a suite of chemicals known as Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) to differentiate between human-associated sources such as sewage or farm runoff, and those coming from natural sources like wildlife. These CEC are chemicals which include medicines, herbicides, and compounds commonly consumed by humans. Advances in analytical methods over the last decade allow these compounds to be detected at very low concentrations (ng/L) in surface water samples. Surface water impacted by human activity may contain CEC that could be used to identify likely sources. To test this hypothesis, sampling was conducted under a collaborative partnership between the Kitsap Public Health District, and University of Washington Center for Urban Waters. Sites were selected to represent locations affected by known failing septic systems, agricultural run off, some unknown sources, and background controls. Samples were analyzed for a suite of 20 CEC compounds, as well as fecal coliform bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorous. The results indicate that CEC in the environment can be highly variable, depending on the type of source, transport pathway, and site conditions. Some compounds are persistent and widespread, while others are rarely detected. Individual CEC compounds used by themselves are probably not suitable to differentiate pollution from human activites. However, several compounds used together, such as ibuprofen, acetominophen, and metabolites of caffeine and nicotine show promising correlation with human sources of bacterial pollution. The value of other CEC as source tracking tools may depend on using them in combination, or in comparison to background concentrations. NOTE: Another abstract based on this sampling project has been submitted for the session on Occurrence and Impacts of Contaminants of Emerging Concern. (Paper#236) This abstract is for an oral presentation in the Water Pollution Identification & Correction session.
Comments
Author Shawn Ultican provided an updated version of this presentation on July 21, 2017. The updated version has replaced the original presentation.