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A Two Part Thesis: Diurnal Soil Temperature Effects Within the GLOBE® Program Dataset and Pharmaceutical Compounds in the Wastewater Process Stream in Northwest Ohio

Witter, Jason Daniel

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Geology.

Long-term collection of soil temperature with depth is important when studying climate change. The international program GLOBE® provides an excellent opportunity to collect such data, although currently endorsed temperature collection protocols need to be refined in order to enhance data quality. To do this, protocol based methodology and automated data logging, along with other physical data, where used to collect soil temperature to a depth of one meter. Data show that the diurnal and shallow variation ceases at around 50 cm depth. Therefore the need to incorporate deeper depths into the current protocols, for heat flux calculations is warranted. The manual methodology was also found to give representative data.

In order to add to the current state of knowledge regarding occurrence and fate of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCP) in the environment, influent, effluent and biosolids from three wastewater treatment facilities in Northwest Ohio, USA, and a stream containing effluent discharge from a rural treatment facility were analyzed for PPCP compounds. The three WWTP facilities vary in their size and in the community served, but are all Class B facilities. One facility was sampled multiple times in order to assess variability. Twenty compounds including several classes of antibiotics, acidic pharmaceuticals, and prescribed medications were analyzed using ultrasonication extraction, SPE cleanup and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The highest number of compounds and the greatest concentrations were found in the influent from the largest and most industrial WWTP facility. Short-term temporal variability was minimal at this facility. Many compounds, such as clarithromycin, salicylic acid and gemfibrozil were found at concentrations more than one order of magnitude higher than found in the effluent samples. Effluent waters contained elevated levels of carbamazepine, clindamycin and sulfamethoxazole. Differences in composition and concentration of effluent waters between facilities existed. Biosolids samples from two different facilities were very similar in PPCP composition, although concentrations varied. Ciprofloxacin was found in biosolids at concentrations (up to 46 ug/kg dry mass) lower than values reported elsewhere. Diclofenac survived the WWTP process and was found to persist in stream water incorporating effluent discharge. The low variability within one plant, as compared to the variability found among different wastewater treatment plants locally and in the literature is likely due to differences in population, PPCP usage, plant operations and/or local environment. These data are presented here for comparison with this emerging set of environmental compounds of concern.

Alison Spongberg, PhD (Committee Chair)
Kevin Czajkowski, PhD (Committee Member)
James Martin-Hayden, PhD (Committee Member)
68 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Witter, J. D. (2008). A Two Part Thesis: Diurnal Soil Temperature Effects Within the GLOBE® Program Dataset and Pharmaceutical Compounds in the Wastewater Process Stream in Northwest Ohio [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1208865262

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Witter, Jason. A Two Part Thesis: Diurnal Soil Temperature Effects Within the GLOBE® Program Dataset and Pharmaceutical Compounds in the Wastewater Process Stream in Northwest Ohio. 2008. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1208865262.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Witter, Jason. "A Two Part Thesis: Diurnal Soil Temperature Effects Within the GLOBE® Program Dataset and Pharmaceutical Compounds in the Wastewater Process Stream in Northwest Ohio." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1208865262

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)