u.s. department of the interior u.s. geological survey integrated water-quality assessment using...
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U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey
Integrated Water-Quality Assessment using
Conventional, Passive-Sampling, and Metabolic Assay Techniques:
Approaching System-Level Understanding of Risk
Valerie Kelly and Kathy McCarthy
U.S. Geological Survey
Oregon Water Science Center, Portland OR
Drinking Water Source Protection
Typically focused on identifying conditions associated with mobilization of contaminants
Based on discrete samples Storm runoff Land use sources—measure effect of
spatial scale within river basin
What is missing? Occurrence of chemicals across range of
temporal scale Synergistic effect of multiple chemicals,
often not measured or detectable
Evaluating an Integrated Approach
McKenzie River High quality drinking water
source for City of Eugene, supplied by Eugene Water & electric Board (EWEB)
Data from USGS reconnaissance study to characterize potential threats
Incorporates storm runoff samples, long-term deployment of passive samplers, and metabolic assay
McKenzie River: a complex system
Elements of system—individual chemicals and their origins Occur across a range of sources and temporal scale Acute storm concentrations versus chronic long-term
concentrations
Interconnections within system—conditions that mobilize and transport chemicals Land use activities interacting with climatic factors
Function of system—describes behavior, many aspects to consider Relative to threat assessment: what is detrimental effect
of chemical mixture?
Overview of Sampling Methods—Sites
• Three sites: two tributaries and McKenzie River intake
• Three time periods: fall 2007 and early/late spring 2010
McKenzie River
Cedar Creek
Camp Creek
Willamette River
Drinking water intake
City of Springfield/Eugene
Overview of Sampling Methods
Discrete samples: analyzed for pesticides, pharmaceuticals (N=176)
Passive samples: analyzed for pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, WWI (N=159) sequester chemicals into
sorbent over 30 days
Metabolic assay: yeast estrogen screen (conducted on passive sampler extracts)
Influence of Land Use
Results for Three Sets of Samples—Elements of System
Number of detections
Results—Looking More Closely at Late Spring 2010
Concentrations Measured in Late Spring 2010
ng/L
Interconnections—Influence of Climate and Flow Conditions
Discrete samples associated with rain event and rising hydrograph, following a mix of spring storm events
Passive sample deployment period included multiple (small) storm events
Discrete sample collected
Discrete samples collected
Daily precipitation at Springfield City Hall
Mean daily streamflow in Cedar Creek
Passive sample deployment
Passive sample deployment
System Function/Behavior—One Measure Yeast estrogen screen assay
Measures estrogenic activity Presumed to be due to combined (synergistic) effect of
endocrine disrupting compounds
Measurable in Cedar Creek but not in Camp Creek or in McKenzie River at treatment plant intake Two replicates: 0.35 and 0.43 ng/L Associated with detections of six potential endocrine
disrupting compounds in passive sample, none in discrete sample
What Have We Learned?
Chemicals are present during discrete runoff events that are not detectable over longer-scale measurements Implies very short term occurrence Limited effect on McKenzie River
Chemicals accumulate over longer-scale periods at concentrations orders of magnitude below conventional analytical techniques Lots going on under the conventional radar screen Present no recognized threat as individual chemicals
Potential estrogenic activity seems to be significantly associated with strong urban signature Other data document persistent occurrence of pesticides in stormwater
discharging to Cedar Creek Suggests synergistic effect of multiple compounds Not detected in McKenzie River We know very little about this issue
Might These Data Be Relevant Elsewhere? Collecting data over range of scale—including spatial
and temporal—provides a more comprehensive view on chemical occurrence Could be expanded to include other river basins
Including metabolic assay provides a relevant measure of effect of chemical mixtures Could be useful to compare relative to quantified mixtures
of chemicals across range of systems
Great potential for collaboration among drinking water providers USGS forming Oregon Drinking-Water Providers Science
Partnership
Acknowledgements
Study funded by U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Eugene Water & Electric Board
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