Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID DC_2025_MacAvoy

Investigation of legacy bisphenol A (BPA) and PAHs in Anacostia River sediments using sediment cores

Institute: District of Columbia
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $15,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $15,001

Principal Investigators: Stephen E. MacAvoy

Project Summary: Recent investigations into contaminants in the Anacostia River and its tributaries have revealed the widespread occurrence of microplastics, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene, polypropylene, and resins. These microplastics are often associated with chemical additives, which may leach from the hydrocarbon plastic they are associated with and become reactive contaminants. One chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), is likely to occur in the Anacostia River due to its widespread use. BPA, derived from polycarbonate plastics, is endocrine disrupting for vertebrates and potentially lethal for phytoplankton. The Washington DC government intends to make the Anacostia fishable and swimmable by 2032, so establishing BPA concentration in the water column and sediments is important. Point source organic contaminants have a long history in the Anacostia, with cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in cores and petroleum-based fossil fuels. The proposed work supports the DCWRRI Seed Grant Preferred Research Priorities, particularly "toxin monitoring", "improving water quality", and "restoration science, focusing on monitoring ecosystem services over baseline conditions."