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Indicator Compounds Representative of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) Found in the Water Cycle in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Shuangyi Zhang

    (Shanghai National Engineering Research Center of Urban Water Resources Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200082, China)

  • Stephen Gitungo

    (Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA)

  • John E. Dyksen

    (SUEZ North America, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA)

  • Robert F. Raczko

    (SUEZ North America, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA)

  • Lisa Axe

    (Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA)

Abstract

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the aquatic environment has recently become a global issue. The very large number of CECs reported in the literature makes it difficult to interpret potential risks as well as the removal efficiencies, especially for the more recalcitrant compounds. As such, there is a need for indicator compounds that are representative of CECs detected in systems worldwide. In an effort to develop such a list, five criteria were used to address the potential for applying indicator compounds; these criteria include usage, occurrence, resistance to treatment, persistence, and physicochemical properties that shed light on the potential degradability of a class of compounds. Additional constraints applied included the feasibility of procuring and analyzing compounds. In total, 22 CECs belonging to 13 groups were selected as indicator compounds. These compounds include acetaminophen and ibuprofen (analgesic); erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim (antibiotics); diazepam and fluoxetine (antidepressants); carbamazepine (antiepileptic); atenolol and propranolol (β-blockers); gemfibrozil (blood lipid regulator); tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP) (fire retardant); cotinine (nicotine metabolite); atrazine, metolachlor, and N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) (pesticides); 17β-estradiol and cholesterol (steroids); caffeine (psychomotor stimulant); perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (surfactants); and iopromide (X-ray contrast agent). These thirteen groups of compounds represent CECs with the greatest resistance to treatment processes, most persistent in surface waters, and detected with significant frequency throughout the water cycle. Among the important implications of using indicator compounds are the ability to better understand the efficacy of treatment processes as well as the transport and fate of these compounds in the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuangyi Zhang & Stephen Gitungo & John E. Dyksen & Robert F. Raczko & Lisa Axe, 2021. "Indicator Compounds Representative of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) Found in the Water Cycle in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-30, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1288-:d:490829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yu, Jim T. & Bouwer, Edward J. & Coelhan, Mehmet, 2006. "Occurrence and biodegradability studies of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products in sewage effluent," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 86(1-2), pages 72-80, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olivia Celeste Overton & Leif Hans Olson & Sreemala Das Majumder & Hani Shwiyyat & Mary Elizabeth Foltz & Robert William Nairn, 2023. "Wetland Removal Mechanisms for Emerging Contaminants," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-37, February.

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