While studies on the presence and fate of emerging contaminants in aquatic systems have largely been performed over the past 15+ years, these compounds have been in use for decades. Because many of these compounds are biologically active, information about past use could provide insight into long term impacts on aquatic systems into which these compounds were and are discharged. Sediment cores provide information about historical use and processing of emerging contaminants. Using cores collected from a lakes with varying degrees of wastewater impact, the records of antibacterial and antibiotic compounds were analyzed. For triclosan, the antibacterial until recently used in liquid handsoaps, the levels observed in sediments track with increasing use in a variety of consumer products. The reaction products formed during the chlorination of wastewater and via photolysis in surface waters are also captured in the cores. For antibiotic/antibacterial chemicals used in human and veterinary medicine, sediments also capture the dates of introduction and usage patterns of the chemicals. Interestingly, even in watersheds where antibiotics are used in agriculture, the dominant compounds detected in lake sediments are primarily those used in human medicine. The results provide insight into where efforts should be focused to minimize the introduction of antibiotic/antibacterial chemicals into the environment.

Stuck in the muck: Historical insights into emerging contaminants from sediment cores

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.