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Dissipation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Biosolids Applied to Nonirrigated Farmland in Eastern Colorado
Author(s) -
Yager Tracy J.B.,
Furlong Edward T.,
Kolpin Dana W.,
Kinney Chad A.,
Zaugg Steven D.,
Burkhardt Mark R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/jawr.12163
Subject(s) - biosolids , environmental chemistry , triclosan , coprostanol , environmental science , chemistry , diethyl phthalate , pyrene , contamination , phthalate , environmental engineering , sterol , organic chemistry , ecology , medicine , biochemistry , pathology , cholesterol , biology
In 2007, a 1.5‐year field‐scale study was initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey to evaluate the dissipation of contaminants of emerging concern ( CEC s) following a first agronomic biosolids application to nonirrigated farmland. CEC s with the greatest decrease in concentration in the surface biosolids at 180 days post‐application included indole, d‐limonene, p‐cresol, phenol, and skatol. CEC s that were present in the largest concentration in 180‐day‐weathered biosolids included stanols, nonylphenols, bisphenol A, bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, hexahydrohexamethyl cyclopenta‐benzopyran ( HHCB ), and triclosan. CEC s that were detected in pre‐application soil were 3‐beta coprostanol, skatol, acetophenone, beta‐sitosterol, beta‐stigmastanol, cholesterol, indole, p‐cresol, and phenol, most of which are biogenic sterols or fragrances that have natural plant sources in addition to anthropogenic sources, yet their concentrations increased (in some cases, substantially) following biosolids application. Preliminary data indicate the nonylphenols (including NPEO 1, NPEO 2), OPEO 1, benzo[a]pyrene, diethyl phthalate, d‐limonene, HHCB , triclosan, and possibly 3‐beta coprostanol, skatol, beta‐sitosterol, cholesterol, indole, and p‐cresol, migrated downward through the soil by 468 days post‐application, but indicated little uptake by mature wheat plants. This study indicates that some CEC s are sufficiently persistent and mobile to be vertically transported into the soil column following biosolids applications to the land surface, even in semiarid regions.