The impact of onsite wastewater disposal systems on groundwater in areas inundated by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey. Issue 2 (30th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fisher, Irene J.; Phillips, Patrick J.; Colella, Kaitlyn M.; Fisher, Shawn C.; Tagliaferri, Tristen; Foreman, William T.; Furlong, Edward T.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 107:Issue 2(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 509
• Page End: 517
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30
• Subjects: Pharmaceuticals -- Septic systems -- Nitrogen -- Land use -- Estuary contaminants; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Coastal onsite wastewater disposal systems (OWDS) were inundated by Hurricane Sandy's storm tide. This study compares the shallow groundwater quality (nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and hormones) downgradient of OWDS before and after Hurricane Sandy, where available, and establishes a baseline for wastewater influence on groundwater in coastal communities inundated by Hurricane Sandy. Nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) were detected in shallow groundwater downgradient of OWDS in two settings along the New Jersey and New York coastlines: 1) a single, centralized OWDS in a park; and 2) multiple OWDS (cesspools) in low-density residential and mixed-use/medium density residential areas. The most frequently detected pharmaceuticals were lidocaine (40%), carbamazepine (36%), and fexofenadine, bupropion, desvenlafaxine, meprobamate, and tramadol (24–32%). Increases in the number and total concentration of pharmaceuticals after Hurricane Sandy may reflect other factors (seasonality, usage) besides inundation, and demonstrate the importance of analyzing for a wide variety of CECs in regional studies. Highlights: Nutrients and CECs were detected in groundwater downgradient of OWDS. Pharmaceutical detections post Hurricane Sandy reflect factors besides inundation. Pharmaceutical and nitrogen concentrations increase in mixed-use settings. Pharmaceutical types detected show value of multiple methods for regional studies.