research: cecs & urban stormwater runoff · 2018. 7. 11. · physical links: stormwater,...
TRANSCRIPT
Research: CECs & Urban Stormwater Runoff
Science and Policy of Emerging Contaminants in Minnesota | May 22nd, 2018
David Fairbairn | Research Scientist, MPCA
MPCA Mission: Protect and improve the environment and enhance human health
How We Complete This Mission
Monitor Environmental Quality
Technical & Financial Assistance
Enforce Environmental Regulations
Two of Many MPCA Programs
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs)
Stormwater (Urban/Construction/Industrial Runoff)
Funding
Agency-Wide
Program-Specific
Topic-Specific
Where Does Research Fit In?2
MPCA Research & Monitoring
Collaborate: We engage with many partners, stakeholders, purposes
But generally, one main goal (WQ)
Example Stormwater Topic: BMP Performance-Related Gaps
Contaminant levels, fates, influences
BMP performance, variability, influences
Why it matters: permit requirements, WQ goals, cost-efficiencies
Why: Optimize management
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CEC Program Priorities Research Topics
Initial Topics: CEC occurrence, highly impacted areas
Recently Emphasized Topics - MPCA CEC Framework
CEC Sources: Characterize likely, lesser-known sources
Importance, Typical signatures, Reduction opportunities
CEC-Bioeffects Linkages
New tools
Adverse outcome pathways (AOP)
Impacts of specific CECs, mixtures, relative risk
Prioritize specific CECs or bioeffects
CEC Fate & Transport
Additional matrices e.g., sediment, biota
Persistence, accumulation, byproducts, risks
Treatment & Mitigation4
Ag + Urban + Treated WW
Urban Ag Ag +UrbanTreated WW
SITE TYPE
Urban Ag Treated WW Ag+Urban+Treated WWSITE TYPE
Research Topics & Project Development
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Triangulate - Info Gathering• Area of expertise• Gaps & priorities:
• Literature• Recent studies • Opportunities• Stakeholders – Internal/External
• Funding
Identify Objectives• Priority topics & questions• Feasibility• Components, methods• Partners• Proposal development
CEC Priorities Include: Sources, Effects, Mitigation
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Project: Occurrence & Effects of CECs in Stormwater & Mitigation by BMPs
First: Why stormwater? Stormwater ≈ Any urban runoff
• Major flow pathway Large proportion of CECs mobilized by human activities
• Thus, WWTP focus • But, not all CECs go down the drain• >90% of MN residents in stormwater-permitted area (NPDES)• CECs frequently detected at urban sites w/o WWTP
• “Wastewater-dominated”, other CECs Physical links: stormwater, industry, solid waste, wastewater, atmosphere Little prior CEC-stormwater research or data
• Some studies: wastewater tracers, stormwater sediments, urban rivers• Stormwater often suggested as source
Added benefit: Apply Project 1’s work
CEC Priorities Include: Sources, Effects, Mitigation
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Project: Occurrence, Effects, & Treatment of CECs in Stormwater
Objectives: Assess CECs in Twin Cities stormwater, bioeffects, treatment
Methods Which CECs to Study?
Priorities assessed: Source characterization, Mitigation, Treatment efficacy
Meds: Vet+Human
Atmospheric Processes
Combustion Byproducts
PaintsCoatings
Litter
Industrial, Consumer, Etc., Products
Runoff
Pesticides
Solvents
CEC Priorities Include: Sources, Effects, Mitigation
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Project: Occurrence, Effects, & Treatment of CECs in Stormwater
Objectives: Assess CECs in Twin Cities stormwater, bioeffects, treatment
Methods• CECs: USGS pesticide, pharmaceutical, wastewater lists - 400+ chemicals• Bio: RNA, in vitro, outcomes• Conditions/matrices: Different stormwater types/areas, seasonal runoff events
Questions & Reporting• What’s in stormwater?• How variable?• What effects?• Do tests agree?• Are CECs, biology correlated? Do BMPs remove CECs? Do BMPs improve outcomes?
Priorities assessed: Source characterization, Mitigation, Treatment efficacy
Current & Future CEC Topics, Issues, Directions
General
Identifying key players in mixtures
Mixture effects
Rapid-throughput testing
Non-targeted analyses
Stressor ID, comparisons, context
Stormwater
More detailed, complete CEC info
Other BMPs
Groundwater
Context: regulated stormwater parameters, receiving waters, toxicology9