Contaminants of emerging concern in a large temperate estuary

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the occurrence and concentrations of a broad range of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from three local estuaries within a large estuarine ecosystem. In addition to effluent from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), we sampled water and whole-body juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) in estuaries receiving effluent. We analyzed these matrices for 150 compounds, which included pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs), and several industrial compounds. Collectively, we detected 81 analytes in effluent, 25 analytes in estuary water, and 42 analytes in fish tissue. A number of compounds, including sertraline, triclosan, estrone, fluoxetine, metformin, and nonylphenol were detected in water and tissue at concentrations that may cause adverse effects in fish. Interestingly, 29 CEC analytes were detected in effluent and fish tissue, but not in estuarine waters, indicating a high potential for bioaccumulation for these compounds. Although concentrations of most detected analytes were present at relatively low concentrations, our analysis revealed that overall CEC inputs to each estuary amount to several kilograms of these compounds per day. This study is unique because we report on CEC concentrations in estuarine waters and whole-body fish, which are both uncommon in the literature. A noteworthy finding was the preferential bioaccumulation of CECs in free-ranging juvenile Chinook salmon relative to staghorn sculpin, a benthic species with relatively high site fidelity.

Keywords: Estuary; Fish; Personal care products; Pharmaceuticals; Wastewater effluent.

Figure 1

Map of Puget Sound and estuaries sampled with locations of wastewater treatment plant outfalls and sampling sites. Map showing locations of field sites and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Puget Sound, Washington, USA. Sample sites where fish were obtained are indicated by solid circles; WWTPs are indicated by solid triangles; estuary water samples are indicated by open triangles; and WWTP outfalls are indicated with X’s. A) Sinclair Inlet impacted site (bold frame), B) Puyallup River estuary impacted site (double frame), C) Nisqually estuary reference site (dashed frame).

Figure 2

Plot showing occurrence of detected analytes in fish, estuary water, and effluent. Data are ordered from high to low concentrations in juvenile chinook. All replicate data shown for each matrix.

Figure 2

Plot showing occurrence of detected analytes in fish, estuary water, and effluent. Data are ordered from high to low concentrations in juvenile chinook. All replicate data shown for each matrix.