“Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in the Chesapeake Bay watershed”
Dr. Lee Blaney
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
October 22, 2020, 7:00 PM EST
ZOOM Event
Abstract: Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are present in the aquatic environment and represent potential threats to both human and ecological health.
To date, few efforts have focused on the occurrence of CECs in the Chesapeake Bay, the nation’s largest estuary. To address this knowledge gap, we measured antibiotics, hormones, and ultraviolet filters (UV filters), which are the active ingredients in sunscreen and other personal care products, in water, sediment, and oyster tissue from sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay. Both human- and animal-labeled antibiotics were detected, suggesting impacts from wastewater effluent and agricultural runoff. Further analysis of CEC data indicated the presence of other, unknown sources in several river systems. We hypothesize that those sources are septic systems, and we are continuing to investigate this issue. Based
on those findings, we also explored the occurrence of CECs in the urban, Gwynns Falls watershed, which is not impacted by wastewater treatment plants or animal feeding operations. Indeed, CECs were present in water and accumulated in crayfish tissue. We hypothesize that CECs are introduced to the Gwynns Falls through leaking sewers, which are common in urban areas. Given the detection of CECs in the aquatic environment, we recommend upgrading wastewater infrastructure and improving CEC removal during wastewater treatment and animal waste management.