In-situ fate of wastewater-derived micropollutants - impacts of future climatic scenarios

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Micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals (e.g., antidepressants, anti-epileptics) and personal care products (e.g., antibacterials, fragrances) are present in the environment at extremely low concentrations, but can be highly potent in inducing toxicological effects to exposed organisms (e.g., fish feminization, reduced organism fitness). Although there is a good understanding of their occurrence in the aquatic environment, knowledge gaps exist on the field assessment of their environmental fate and transport in and out of different environmental compartments (i.e., surface water, sediments, and biota). Using my expertise in trace organic contaminant detection and contaminant fate modelling, my research program will evaluate the mechanisms underlying the fate of micropollutants discharged by municipal wastewaters in urban aquatic environments, and will link the observed ecotoxicological effects in aquatic organisms to the fluctuating levels of micropollutants in the receiving environment (e.g., rivers and streams). We will accomplish our study objectives by utilizing the state-of-the-art artificial streams system housed at the federally- and locally-funded Advancing the Canadian Wastewater Assets (ACWA) research facility located in Calgary. As we become increasingly aware of the complexity of municipal wastewaters, my research is important in supporting our wastewater management systems in their continued efforts to protect the environment and human health. With the forecast increase in the severity of extreme weather events including droughts, our access to drinking water sources may be limited, further encouraging our communities to resort to water reuse. To protect our aquatic environment and prepare our communities for the future demands of potentially scarce "high-quality" drinking water sources, my research lays the foundation in understanding the impacts of emerging threats on water quality including micropollutants. The anticipated outcomes of my research are the: (1) derivation of thresholds and targets relevant to the regulation of micropollutants; (2) estimates of impacts of future climate scenarios on their fate and transport; and (3) development of a model that synthesizes their movement in the environment, starting from the contaminant source (wastewater), and all the way to the exposed aquatic organisms (bottom-dwelling invertebrates). Overall, my research is beneficial as it will guide our Canadian wastewater systems to develop remedial options that will reduce the exposure risks to micropollutants. In particular, the developed model can be employed by wastewater practitioners and watershed managers when making informed decisions about wastewater abatement strategies, with careful consideration of future climatic scenarios. This work further highlights Canada's commitment and leadership in advancing wastewater research required to safeguard the environment and protect human health.