RUI: Characterizing the Sources, Fates, and Transformation Products of Conjugated, Free, and Halogenated Estrogens in a Sewage-Impacted River

在全球范围内，废水可能是碳、营养物质和地表水污染物的重要来源。干扰内分泌的化学物质，如甾体雌激素，在低浓度时对水生脊椎动物有不利影响，是废水中可能存在的化合物之一。本研究将通过实验室、现场和模型实验的结合来完成，并将利用PIs实验室先前优化的分析技术。本研究的总体目标是提高对控制废水来源的基本过程的理解，以及水生系统中雌激素和卤化雌激素的环境命运。这项研究有可能改变我们对利用活性污泥二级处理和次氯酸盐消毒的典型废水处理厂雌激素通量的理解。本项目的目标是结合实验室、实地和模型实验来解决：1)卤化雌激素在污水处理厂废水中的形成和分布，2)环境相关浓度下的光解和生物降解，以及3)受污水影响的河流中卤化雌激素的命运。该项目收集的数据将为简单的质量平衡和运输模型提供直接的数值输入，这些模型将用于预测威拉米特河中的雌激素浓度，威拉米特河是许多河流的代表，这些河流接受废水和雨水的联合输入。该项目将生成一系列雌激素结构的动力学数据和转化产物信息，可用于未来发展定量构效关系，参数化现有的命运模型，并确定对废水和自然水体中类似药物和有机污染物的形成和命运的影响。PI和Mind Open media的媒体专家将制作和发布播客，重点介绍废水处理的概念和应用，以及环境中化学品的命运。PI将把研究成果提供给对废水处理技术和河流系统健康有既得利益的国家实体。最后，该项目还资助本科生在更大的机构进行研究，在那里他们将能够使用质谱分析设备。

1606190GriffithGlobally, wastewater can be a significant source of carbon, nutrients, and contaminants to surface waters. Endocrine disrupting chemicals such as steroidal estrogens, which have adverse effects on aquatic vertebrates at low concentrations, are among the compounds which can be in the wastewater. This study will be accomplished through a combination of laboratory, field, and modeling experiments, and will take advantage of previously optimized analytical techniques in the PIs laboratory.The overarching goal of this study is to improve the understanding of the fundamental processes that control wastewater derived sources and the environmental fate of estrogens and halogenated estrogens in aquatic systems. This study has the potential to transform our understanding of estrogen flux from typical wastewater treatment plants that utilize activated sludge secondary treatment and hypochlorite-based disinfection. The objectives of this project use a combination of laboratory, field, and modeling experiments to address: 1) halogenated estrogen formation and distribution in wastewater treatment plant effluent, 2) photolysis and biodegradation at environmentally relevant concentrations, and, 3) fate of halogenated estrogens in a sewage-impacted rivers. The data collected during this project will provide direct numerical inputs into simple mass balance and transport models that will be used to predict estrogen concentrations in the Willamette River, which is representative of many rivers that receive combined inputs from wastewater and storm water. This project will generate kinetic data and transformation product information for a range of estrogen structures that can be used to develop quantitative structure-activity relationships in the future, parameterize existing fate models, and determine the impact on the formation and fate of similar pharmaceuticals and organic contaminants in wastewater and natural waters. The PI and media experts at Mind Open Media will produce and distribute podcasts focused on the concepts and applications of wastewater treatment, and, the fate of chemicals in the environment. The PI will provide the research findings to state entities with a vested interest in wastewater treatment technologies and the health of river systems. Lastly, the project also funds undergraduate students to conduct research at a larger institution where they will be able to utilize the mass spectrometry facilities.