Delaware River Basin Commission
A Decade of Monitoring Emerging
Contaminants in the Delaware River
Ron MacGillivray, Ph.D.Senior Environmental
Toxicologist
March 13, 2017 1
Why was the DRBC created in 1961?
Water supply shortages and disputes over the apportionment of the basin’s waters;
Severe pollution in the Delaware River and its major tributaries;
Serious flooding
The 1937 Philadelphia Record editorial page cartoon depicts the time when the tidal Delaware was an open sewer, where pollution in some stretches robbed the river of all its oxygen needed to support fish and other aquatic life.
Five Equal Members:DelawareNew JerseyPennsylvaniaNew YorkFederal Government
Current Water Quality ConcernsWhy are Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
(PPCP) of concern?
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∗ Biological effects (diclofenac, triclocarban)
∗ Resistant to degradation (carbamazapine)
∗ Widespread and increasing use (ibuprofen, metformin)
∗ Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove (trimethoprim, erythromycin)
∗ Effects on aquatic life (hormone EE2)
Delaware River Basin
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PPCP surveys 2007, 2008, 2009
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
50 68 80 88 105 131
mea
n ng
/L
river mile
Fifteen Priority PPCP in Tidal Delaware River
Codeine
Metformin
Thiabendazole
2-Hydroxy-ibuprofen
Triclocarban
Fluoxetine
Dehydronifedipine
Acetaminophen
Clarithromycin
Lincomycin
Ibuprofen
Gemfibrozil
Sulfamethoxazole
Erythromycin-H2O
Carbamazepine
metformin
codeine
mouth of bay head of tide
> RM 95 = Source Water
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Why are Perfluoroalkyl and PolyfluoroalkylSubstances (PFAS) of Concern?
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∗ Properties∗ Uses∗ Sources∗ Stewardship∗ Alternatives
∗ Discharges∗ Persistence∗ Toxicity∗ Bioaccumulation∗ Sinks
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Surface Water SamplesSix tidal sites in 2007, 2008, 2009Fifteen tidal sites in 2015Four non-tidal sites in 2016
PFAS Sites
1
10
100
1,000
RM 6 26 50 68 71 75 80 85 88 95 105 131
PFBA C4 PFPeA C5PFHxA C6 PFHpA C7PFOA C8 PFNA C9PFUnA C11 PFOS C8S
2015
flow
C5 C6PFOSPFOA
1
10
100
1,000
*
Drinking Water Source> RM95
PFAS (ng/L) decreases in surface water vary by compound
2007C9
1
10
100
1,000
RM 6 26 50 68 71 75 80 85 90 95 105 131
*
2007tidal
1
10
100
1,000
RM 6 26 50 68 71 75 80 85 88 95 105 131 149 183 246 289
PFBA C4PFPeA C5PFHxA C6PFHpA C7PFOA C8PFNA C9PFUnA C11PFOS C8S
Drinking Water Source > RM95
2015 -2016tidal and non-tidal
PFNA
Fish Sampling Locations
2004 - 2015
Non-Tidal LocationsNarrowsburg, NY RM 290 Milford, PA RM 246Easton, PA RM 183Lambertville, NJ RM 149
Tidal LocationsCrosswicks Creek RM 128Tacony-Palymra Br. RM 107Woodbury Creek RM 91Raccoon Creek RM 80Salem River RM 58
Non-Tidal
Tidal
0
10
20
30
40
50
PFOSA PFOS PFDoA PFUnA PFDA PFNA
White Perch (tidal)Channel Catfish (tidal)Smallmouth Bass (non-tidal)White Sucker (non-tidal)
2004
RM 58 & RM 149
0
10
20
30
40
50
PFOSA PFOS PFDoA PFUnA PFDA PFNA
2015
Why are Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) Flame Retardants of Concern?
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∗ Used in consumer products such as television casings and polyurethane foam inside furniture cushions.
∗ Indoor dust is believed to be the primary source of human exposure (~ 90%) but dietary exposure is also a concern
∗ PBDEs are characterized as persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic compounds.
∗ High PBDE levels in serum alter steroid hormones levels and thyroid function, motor and cognitive deficits in children
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) Flame Retardants
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Lipid normalized tissue concentrations of BDE 209 in catfish and perch by year sampled
∗ Current assessment and regulatory approaches are inadequate for many compounds detected in waters and biota.
∗ Some CEC may require regulation under the SDWA and CWA.
∗ Are replacement alternatives safer?
∗ Additional ecotoxicology information is needed for assessment of aquatic life and wildlife protection.
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Summation
Delaware River Basin Commission
Thank you!
Ron MacGillivray, Ph.D.Senior Environmental Toxicologist
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