Control of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other micropollutants: Probing the ability of restored riparian systems to remove trace pollutants

Jeanne LaVergne*, Han Gao, Corey Carpenter, Damian Helbling, Kimberly Gray, George Wells

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The continuous dosing of micropollutants (MPs), particularly pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), from sources including wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into surface waters has the potential to alter microbial community structure in both unpreserved and restored wetlands such as those of the Des Plaines River near Wadsworth, Illinois. Of 200 MPs investigated via high resolution LC-MS/MS in that waterway and its tributary Mill Creek, 54 were quantifiable on every sample date across 2 years. Microbial community characterization (performed via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) indicates unique community structure in areas of restored wetlands, including increased alpha diversity and altered relative abundance of core phylogenetic groups near a riffle structure within the restored riparian zone. Decreases in MP concentration by site relative to restoration structures, particularly across the riffle, suggest that MP removal is due in part to microbial community action and not solely non-biodegradative forms of MP removal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWater Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference 2017, WEFTEC 2017
PublisherWater Environment Federation
Pages1241-1254
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)9781510863682
StatePublished - 2017
EventWater Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference 2017, WEFTEC 2017 - Chicago, United States
Duration: Sep 30 2017Oct 4 2017

Publication series

NameWater Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference 2017, WEFTEC 2017
Volume2

Other

OtherWater Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference 2017, WEFTEC 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago
Period9/30/1710/4/17

Keywords

  • Confluence
  • Des Plaines River (DPR)
  • Micropollutants (MPs)
  • Personal Care Products (PPCPs)
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Restored wetlands
  • Riffle structure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution
  • Ecological Modeling
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Water Science and Technology

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