Abstract
Pharmaceuticals have been detected nationwide in different environmental matrices including wastewater effluents and surface water. In recent studies, pharmaceuticals have also been found in aquatic plants, fish tissues and plasma of shark bulls. Pharmaceuticals that were detected as indicated in published literature, included steroids, prescription drugs such as antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones and over the counter (OTC) drugs. We conducted a monitoring study to detect the presence of pharmaceuticals in East fork of the Stones River located in Rutherford County in Middle Tennessee. East Fork Stones River is a six (6) order river that drains a large portion of Rutherford County including Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Grab water samples were collected from Stones River for three seasons: (summer and fall of 2014 and 2015 and winter of 2015 and 2016) each year. Water quality parameters were also determined in situ using Eureka Water ProbesTM multi-parameter sondes. Water samples were analyzed for the presence of pharmaceutical compounds using GC-MS. Chemical Abstract Service Registry Numbers (CASRN or CAS) for detected pharmaceuticals were identified. Pharmaceuticals detected included those used for treatment of chronic alcoholism (Disulfiram: CAS # 97-77-8), a compound (Thiazolidine: CAS # 504-78-9) in the drug Thiazolidinedione which is used for the treatment of type II diabetes, a compound associated with the prevention of anti-inflammatory conditions (Methyl palmitate: CAS # 112-39-0), and emollient in skincare (Undecane: CAS # 1120-21-4). While the quantitative concentrations of these drugs were not determined in this study, their qualitative presence in surface water is noteworthy.
Highlights
In the last few decades concerns have been raised about the presence, fate, and impacts of emerging contaminants that are being released in the environment
Chemical Abstract Service Registry Numbers (CASRN or CAS) for detected pharmaceuticals were identified. Pharmaceuticals detected included those used for treatment of chronic alcoholism (Disulfiram: CAS # 97-77-8), a compound (Thiazolidine: CAS # 504-78-9) in the drug Thiazolidinedione which is used for the treatment of type II diabetes, a compound associated with the prevention of anti-inflammatory conditions (Methyl palmitate: CAS # 112-39-0), and emollient in skincare (Undecane: CAS # 1120-21-4)
The results are discussed based on the following subdivisions: 1) Pharmaceuticals detected in the East Fork Stones River during summer of 2014 and 2015 (Table 1); 2) Pharmaceuticals detected during Fall of 2014 and 2015 (Table 2); 3) Pharmaceuticals detected during Winter of 2015 and 2016 (Table 3)
Summary
In the last few decades concerns have been raised about the presence, fate, and impacts of emerging contaminants that are being released in the environment. ECs comprise a vast number of chemicals which include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disrupting compounds, pesticides, surfactants, and industrial additives. Most of these chemicals are considered to be newly synthesized compounds and are not yet regulated. Since studies have been conducted regarding the occurrence and fate of these contaminants on a global scale employing increasingly sensitive analytical techniques in different environmental matrices. The studies include those done in surface water, groundwater, drinking water, tap water, and wastewater effluents [12] [13] [14].
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