Compounds of wastewater origin in remote upland lakes in Ireland

The objective of this research was to evaluate whether compounds of wastewater origin were present in four remote upland headwater lakes in Ireland that primarily receive loadings from atmospheric deposition. In Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) deployed in the lakes for between 60 and 68 days, seven compounds were detected at levels that could be quantified but 25 of the target compounds were not detected. The detected compounds included the cannabinoid metabolite, tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylate (THC-COOH), codeine, acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen, and the artificial sweeteners, sucralose, and saccharin, which were all present at concentrations estimated to be < 125 ng/L. Caffeine was also present in the lakes at estimated concentrations between 213 and 1320 ng/L. Cocaine and tramadol were detected in POCIS deployed in some of the lakes, but at levels below the limits of quantitation. The highest concentrations of the target analytes were detected in two lakes located in the eastern part of Ireland. These data are consistent with regional atmospheric transport of these compounds originating from wastewater treatment plants in Ireland. However, contaminants from wastewater treatment plants in the United Kingdom (UK) may also be a source in these upland lakes that are located far from emissions of urban pollution.PMID:36332738 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137076
Source: Chemosphere - Category: Chemistry Authors: Source Type: research