Multi-Region Assessment of Pharmaceutical Mixtures and Predicted Effects in Urban-Gradient, Headwater Streams Across the United States
Abstract
Human-use pharmaceuticals in urban streams link their ecosystem structure and function to public health. Pharmaceutical mixtures have been widely reported in larger streams due to historical emphasis on wastewater-treatment facility sources, but relatively little is known about pharmaceutical exposures and potential effects in headwater streams. In 2014-2017, the United States Geological Survey measured 111 human-use pharmaceutical compounds in 308 headwater streams in four regions across the US. Mixed-pharmaceutical exposures were common and significantly correlated to urban land use metrics. Analysis of cumulative exposure-activity ratios indicated that exposures with high probability of molecular effects to vertebrates were widespread. Considering the designed biological activity of the detected pharmaceuticals and the fractional coverage of the presumptive pharmaceutical contaminant space, the results demonstrate a nation-wide environmental concern and the need for watershed-scale mitigation of in-stream pharmaceutical contamination.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMGH12A..07B
- Keywords:
-
- 0414 Biogeochemical cycles;
- processes;
- and modeling;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 0220 Geomedicine;
- GEOHEALTH;
- 0240 Public health;
- GEOHEALTH;
- 1884 Water supply;
- HYDROLOGY