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Biotransformation of caffeine, cotinine, and nicotine in stream sediments: Implications for use as wastewater indicators
Author(s) -
Bradley Paul M.,
Barber Larry B.,
Kolpin Dana W.,
McMahon Peter B.,
Chapelle Francis H.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1897/06-483r.1
Subject(s) - cotinine , biotransformation , environmental chemistry , wastewater , nicotine , environmental science , caffeine , chemistry , biology , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , neuroscience , enzyme , endocrinology
Microbially catalyzed cleavage of the imadazole ring of caffeine was observed in stream sediments collected upstream and downstream of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in three geographically separate stream systems. Microbial demethylation of the N ‐methyl component of cotinine and its metabolic precursor, nicotine, also was observed in these sediments. These findings indicate that stream sediment microorganisms are able to substantially alter the chemical structure and thus the analytical signatures of these candidate waste indicator compounds. The potential for in situ biotransformation must be considered if these compounds are employed as markers to identify the sources and track the fate of wastewater compounds in surface‐water systems.