Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2012AZ492B

Toxicity of Emerging Contaminants in an Effluent Dependent Stream: the Role of Suspended Solids and Sediments

Institute: Arizona
Year Established: 2012 Start Date: 2012-03-01 End Date: 2013-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $10,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $21,115

Principal Investigators: David Quanrud, Robert Arnold, Eduardo Saez, Shane Snyder

Project Summary: This project will evaluate the toxicity and endocrine disruption activity due to trace organic contaminants (TOrCs) associated with solid phase sources and sinks in an effluent dependent stream near Tucson, Arizona. The work builds on a recent study by the PIs that examined the transport and fate of a suite of TOrCs along a 22-mile reach of the Lower Santa Cruz River (SCR) extending downstream from two municipal wastewater treatment facilities in Pima County, Arizona. Project results will provide the first information concerning toxicity, including estrogenic, androgenic, and cytotoxicity measurements derived from solid-phase associated TOrCs in sources and sinks in the Lower SCR. Proposed work is motivated by the need to assess the transport and fate of TOrCs toxicity contribution provided by the solid-phase in an effluent dependent stream, along with the need to establish baseline data in the Santa Cruz River prior to the 2015 completion of upgraded treatment processes at the two Pima County municipal wastewater treatment facilities that will substantially improve effluent quality and river health.