Factors contributing to pesticide contamination in riverine systems: The role of wastewater and landscape sources
Science of the Total Environment
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- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Releases:
- USGS data release - Environmental Sampling and Modeling Results to Characterize Surface-Water Quality at 32 Sites Across the Potomac River Watershed, 2022 (ver. 3.0, April 2025)
- USGS data release - Data for the Potomac River Watershed Accumulated Wastewater Viewer
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
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Abstract
Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges can be a source of organic contaminants, including pesticides, to rivers. An integrated model was developed for the Potomac River watershed (PRW) to determine the amount of accumulated wastewater percentage of streamflow (ACCWW) and calculate predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) for 14 pesticides in non-tidal National Hydrography Dataset Plus Version 2.1 stream segments. Predicted environmental concentrations were compared to measured environmental concentrations (MECs) from 32 stream sites that represented a range of ACCWW and land use to evaluate model performance and to assess possible non-WWTP loading sources. Statistical agreement between PECs and MECs was strongest for insecticides, followed by fungicides and herbicides. Principal component analysis utilizing optical fluorescence and ancillary water quality data identified wastewater and urban runoff sources. Pesticides that indicated relatively larger sources from WWTPs included dinotefuran, fipronil, carbendazim, thiabendazole, and prometon whereas imidacloprid, azoxystrobin, propiconazole, tebuconazole, and diuron were more related to urban runoff. In addition, PECs generally comprised a low proportion of MECs, which indicates possible dominant loading sources beyond WWTP discharges. Cumulative potential toxicity was higher for sites with greater ACCWW and/or located in developed areas. Imidacloprid, fipronil, and carbendazim accounted for the largest portion of predicted potential toxicity across sites. The chronic aquatic life toxicity benchmarks for freshwater invertebrates were exceeded for 82 % of the imidacloprid detections (n = 28) and 47 % of the fipronil detections (n = 19). These results highlight the ecological implications of pesticide contamination from WWTP discharges and also the potential legacy effects from accumulated soil and groundwater sources. Pesticide management strategies that mitigate both current and historical impacts may improve the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Suggested Citation
Miller, S.A., Faunce, K.E., Barber, L., Fleck, J., Burns, D.W., Jasmann, J.R., and Hladik, M.L., 2024, Factors contributing to pesticide contamination in riverine systems: The role of wastewater and landscape sources: Science of the Total Environment, v. 954, 174939, 20 p., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174939.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Factors contributing to pesticide contamination in riverine systems: The role of wastewater and landscape sources |
| Series title | Science of the Total Environment |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174939 |
| Volume | 954 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | California Water Science Center, WMA - Earth System Processes Division, VA/WV Water Science Center |
| Description | 174939, 20 p. |
| Country | United States |
| Other Geospatial | Potomac River watershed |