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Influence of Water Resource Recovery Facility Effluents on the Presence of Selected Trace Organic Contaminants (TOrCs) in the Reedy River, South Carolina

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Abstract

Wastewater reclamation facilities are known sources of emerging contaminants associated with human health and sanitation. This study evaluated the contribution of trace organic contaminants to a previously unmonitored river by water resource reclamation facilities. Six sampling events were conducted on the Reedy River in South Carolina. Sampling locations included sites upstream and downstream of two WRRFs located on the river to examine potential contributions under drought conditions where WRRF effluents comprise a large proportion of total stream flow. Five target analytes were monitored including atrazine, carbamazepine, 17β-estradiol, perfluorooctanoic acid, and sulfamethoxazole. On a mass basis, the WRRFs contributed additional loadings of carbamazepine ranging from 5.4 g/d to 7.2 g/d (mean: 6.3 ± 0.4 g/d), PFOA ranging from 8.6 to 31.9 g/d (mean: 20.0 ± 4.9), and sulfamethoxazole ranging from 49.4 g/d to 75.1 g/d (mean: 62.1 ± 4.8). 17β-estradiol was detected once and atrazine was not detected.

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Acknowledgements

We graciously acknowledge the National Science Foundation. This project was conducted using standards and supplies left over from a project that was funded by NSF Grant No. CBET-1435522.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110290, 2181 McCarty Hall A, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0290, USA

    Daniel J. Fahr, Francisca O. Hinz, Alexander J. Reisinger & P. Chris Wilson

  2. Copperhead Environmental Consulting, Inc., 471 Main Street, Paint Lick, KY, 40461, USA

    George M. Huddleston III

  3. Department of Environmental and Global Health, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, PO Box 110885, 2187 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Joseph H. Bisesi

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  1. Daniel J. Fahr
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  2. Francisca O. Hinz
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  5. Joseph H. Bisesi
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Correspondence to P. Chris Wilson.

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Fahr, D.J., Hinz, F.O., Reisinger, A.J. et al. Influence of Water Resource Recovery Facility Effluents on the Presence of Selected Trace Organic Contaminants (TOrCs) in the Reedy River, South Carolina. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 107, 868–875 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03365-7

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