Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Waste Water Contaminants Within a Leachate Plume Downgradient of a Municipal Landfill

Abstract

Ground water samples collected from the Norman Landfill research site in central Oklahoma were analyzed as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program's national reconnaissance of pharmaceuticals and other organic waste water contaminants (OWCs) in ground water. Five sites, four of which are located downgradient of the landfill, were sampled in 2000 and analyzed for 76 OWCs using four research methods developed by the USGS. OWCs were detected in water samples from all of the sites sampled, with 22 of the 76 OWCs being detected at least once. Cholesterol (a plant and animal steroid), was detected at all five sites and was the only compound detected in a well upgradient of the landfill. N,N‐diethyltoluamide (DEBT used in insect repellent) and tri(2‐chloroethyl) phosphate (fire‐retardant) were detected in water samples from all four sites located within the landfill‐derived leachate plume. The sites closest to the landfill had more detections and greater concentrations of each of the detected compounds than sites located farther away. Detection of multiple OWCs occurred in the four sites located within the leachate plume, with a minimum of four and a maximum of 17 OWCs detected. Because the landfill was established in the 1920s and closed in 1985, many compounds detected in the leachate plume were likely disposed of decades ago. These results indicate the potential for long‐term persistence and transport of some OWCs in ground water.

Review of risk from potential emerging contaminants in UK groundwater

“…The presence of pharmaceuticals in groundwater beneath or downgradient of a landfill has been confirmed by several authors (Ahel and Jelicic, 2001;Ahel et al, 1998;Eckel et al, 1993;Holm et al, 1995). Two recent studies (Barnes et al, 2004;Buszka et al, 2009) investigating the occurrence of groundwater down gradient of landfills detected a range of industrial compounds (detergents, antioxidants, fire retardants, plasticisers) as well as PPCPs (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, barbiturates) and the caffeine and the nicotine metabolite cotinine.…”

Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in U.S. Drinking Water

“…Their occurrence is most often a result of municipal wastewater discharge, as these compounds are not completely removed during treatment (4). Other sources of pharmaceuticals and EDCs in water include runoff from agricultural fields, concentrated animal feeding operations, landfill leachates, and urban runoff (5)(6)(7). Scientists and regulators are concerned about what level of risk may be associated with the presence of pharmaceuticals and EDCs in drinking water, as many drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) use source water impacted by wastewater.…”

Fingerprinting groundwater pollution in catchments with contrasting contaminant sources using microorganic compounds

“…Slack (2007) reviewed the detections of xenobiotic compounds in leachate including halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols (including bisphenol A), alkyl phenols (including nonyl phenol), pesticides, phthalates, pharmaceuticals, sulfonates, sulfones and sulfonamides (including n-butylbenzenesulfonamide (BBSA)), pyridines (including nicotine), carboxylic acids, alcohols, ethers and ketones, as well as caffeine, benzthiazoles and anilines. Barnes et al (2004) and Buszka et al (2009) found a range of microorganics in groundwater downgradient of landfills including detergents, antioxidants, fire retardants, plasticisers, antibiotics, ant-inflammatories, barbiturates, caffeine and cotinine. Zheng et al (2013) describe the use of organic water pollutant fingerprints to track the movement of industrial materials.…”