M. R. Rosen, S. L. Goodbred, D.A. Alvarez, and Thomas J. Leiker US Geological Survey

Use of Passive Samplers for Detecting Use of Passive Samplers for Detecting Spatial Distribution of Organic Spatial Distribution of Organic

Contaminants in Lake Mead, Nevada, Contaminants in Lake Mead, Nevada, U.S.AU.S.A

M. R. Rosen, S. L. Goodbred, D.A. Alvarez, and M. R. Rosen, S. L. Goodbred, D.A. Alvarez, and Thomas J. LeikerThomas J. Leiker

US Geological SurveyUS Geological Survey

• This work is part of an ongoing study initiated in 1995 to assess potential for endocrine disruption in Lake Mead.

• Objectives • Determine presence and potential sources of endocrine

disrupting compounds (EDCs) in Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAME) using passive samplers and sediment cores.

• Importance of study• Determine what EDCs aquatic organisms might be

exposed to at various locations in LAME and their potential sources.

Background

Water Quality Issues in Water Quality Issues in Las Vegas Bay, Lake MeadLas Vegas Bay, Lake Mead

• Historic use chemicals present in sediment & biota (i.e. Historic use chemicals present in sediment & biota (i.e. chlorinated pesticides, PCB’s etc.)chlorinated pesticides, PCB’s etc.)

• Chemicals from manufacturing plants and defense related Chemicals from manufacturing plants and defense related industries since 1940’s. (e.g. perchlorate etc).industries since 1940’s. (e.g. perchlorate etc).

• Tertiary treated effluent (currently >180 million gallons Tertiary treated effluent (currently >180 million gallons daily, expected to increase to 400 million gallons daily by daily, expected to increase to 400 million gallons daily by 2050).2050).

• Storm-water runoff and other non-point sourcesStorm-water runoff and other non-point sources

19501950Pop 47,000Pop 47,000

20002000Pop 1,300,000Pop 1,300,000

Population Growth in Las Vegas Valley

Overton ArmOverton Arm

Colorado R.Colorado R.InflowInflow

Las VegasLas Vegas BayBay

Lake Mead NationalLake Mead NationalRecreation AreaRecreation AreaSampling SitesSampling Sites

March, 2006March, 2006

Colorado R.Colorado R.Outflow (Willow Beach)Outflow (Willow Beach)

SentinelSentinelIslandIsland

Las Vegas WashLas Vegas WashBelow STPsBelow STPs

Las Vegas WashLas Vegas WashAbove STPsAbove STPs

Study DesignStudy Design Three 36” SPMDs, 3 POCIS discs both Three 36” SPMDs, 3 POCIS discs both

pharmaceutical and pesticide were deployed at 7 pharmaceutical and pesticide were deployed at 7 sites in LAME for one month in February 2006 all sites in LAME for one month in February 2006 all at at 8 m water depth8 m water depth

SPMDs deployed in vertical gradient at Las Vegas SPMDs deployed in vertical gradient at Las Vegas Bay siteBay site

Analytical chemistry done on extracts by GC/MS Analytical chemistry done on extracts by GC/MS Performance Reference Compounds (PRCs) used Performance Reference Compounds (PRCs) used

in SPMDsin SPMDs

What are SPMDs and POCIS Samplers?What are SPMDs and POCIS Samplers?

Hydrophilic compounds Kow<3.0

POCIS consists of a microporous membrane containing various solid phase sequestering media

Hydrophobic compounds Kow >3.0

SPMD consists of Low density polyethylene lay-flat tubing containing lipid (fat-like organic compound made of triolein) similar to fish fat

Vertical Vertical gradientgradient

Sampling Sampling SetupSetup POCIS

8 M

Deployment and Retrieval of Deployment and Retrieval of SamplersSamplers

Different Blank Used at Each SiteDifferent Blank Used at Each Site If compound detected in blank: Concentration If compound detected in blank: Concentration

in blank subtracted from reported valuein blank subtracted from reported value

Above WWTPs Below WWTPs

Performance Reference Compounds used for SPMDs Performance Reference Compounds used for SPMDs to calculate concentrationsto calculate concentrations

Anthracene – Anthracene – dd1010 Chrysene – Chrysene – dd1212

Las Vegas Bay inflow Boulder Basin site

Blanks are ImportantBlanks are ImportantWhat did we find in blanks?What did we find in blanks?

Acetophenone Acetophenone fragrance (soaps, creams) fragrance (soaps, creams) Benzophenone Benzophenone sunscreenssunscreens Oyxbenzone Oyxbenzone sunscreenssunscreens Di limonene Di limonene citrus based solventcitrus based solvent Methyl naphthalene Methyl naphthalene found in air, cigarettesfound in air, cigarettes Methyl salicylate Methyl salicylate deep heat therapydeep heat therapy Octylphenol Octylphenol surfactant in soapssurfactant in soaps

Compound Uses

Total Compounds DetectedTotal Compounds Detected

SPMDSPMDTotal Compounds (30)Total Compounds (30)Number of EDCs (17)Number of EDCs (17)

POCISPOCISTotal Compounds (28)Total Compounds (28)Number of EDCs (7)Number of EDCs (7)

EDCs Detected in Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead EDCs Detected in Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area

PCPsPCPs GaloxolideGaloxolide Tonalide Tonalide 4-tert-octylphenol4-tert-octylphenol TriclosanTriclosan

PAHsPAHs PyrenePyrene AnthraceneAnthracene PhenanthrenePhenanthrene Benzo (a) pyreneBenzo (a) pyrene

PesticidesPesticides ChlorphrifosChlorphrifos o,p’ DDEo,p’ DDE TrifluralinTrifluralin HCBHCB Trans & Cis ChlordaneTrans & Cis Chlordane

Industrial Industrial BDE (47,99,100,138,BDE (47,99,100,138,

146,180146,180))

Hydrophobic Compounds Hydrophobic Compounds Total concentration (Total concentration (µµg/L) and number of detectsg/L) and number of detects

Overton Arm0.0003 (3)

Colorado R Inflow0.02 (6)Colorado R Outflow

0.0006 (6)

Sentinel Island0.001 (5)

Las Vegas Bay0.06 (16)

Las Vegas WashBelow STPs

0.45 (17)

Las Vegas WashAbove STPs0.005 (12)

Where are EDCs Coming From?Where are EDCs Coming From?Example of Galaxolide (Example of Galaxolide (µµg/L) at 8 m depth in Lake Meadg/L) at 8 m depth in Lake Mead

Overton Arm<0.0005

Colorado R Inflow

<0.0005Colorado R Outflow<0.0005

Sentinel Island0.001

Las Vegas Bay0.06

Las Vegas WashBelow STPs

0.4

Las Vegas WashAbove STPs

<0.0005

Where are EDCs Coming From?Where are EDCs Coming From?Example of Naphthalene (petrogenic) Example of Naphthalene (petrogenic)

((µµg/L) at 8 m depth in Lake Meadg/L) at 8 m depth in Lake Mead

Overton Arm<0.0009

Colorado R Inflow0.01Colorado R Outflow

Estimated 0.0002

Sentinel Island<0.0009

Las Vegas Bay0.001

Las Vegas WashBelow STPs

<0.0009

Las Vegas WashAbove STPs

<0.0009

Where are EDCs Coming From?Where are EDCs Coming From?Example of Pyrene (pyrogenic) Example of Pyrene (pyrogenic)

((µµg/L) at 8 m depth in Lake Meadg/L) at 8 m depth in Lake Mead

Overton Arm<0.00005

Colorado R Inflow

<0.00005Colorado R Outflow<0.00005

Sentinel Island<0.00005

Las Vegas Bay0.0003

Las Vegas WashBelow STPs<0.00005

Las Vegas WashAbove STPs<0.00005

Vertical Gradient of Hydrophobic Vertical Gradient of Hydrophobic Contaminants in Las Vegas BayContaminants in Las Vegas Bay

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10

Galaxolide (g/L)

Dep

th b

elo

w l

ake

surf

ace

(m)

LVB - 1 LVB - 2

Vertical Gradient of Hydrophobic Vertical Gradient of Hydrophobic Contaminants in Las Vegas BayContaminants in Las Vegas Bay

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

0.0 5.0x10-4 1.0x10-3 1.5x10-3 0.0 1.0x10-4 2.0x10-4 3.0x10-4 4.0x10-4

Naphthalene (g/L)

Dep

th B

elo

w L

ake

Su

rfac

e (m

)

LVB - 1 LVB - 2

MR

L MR

L

Pyrene (g/L)

LVB - 1 LVB - 2

Hydrophilic CompoundsHydrophilic Compoundsng/POCIS (pesticide EI and NCI) and # of detectsng/POCIS (pesticide EI and NCI) and # of detects

Overton Arm390 (8)

Colorado R Inflow0 (0)Colorado R Outflow

1,033 (5)

Sentinel Island74 (3)

Las Vegas Bay136 (1)

Las Vegas WashBelow STPs24,716 (11)

Las Vegas WashAbove STPs22,551 (11)

Effects in Male CarpEffects in Male Carp

Las Vegas Wash downstream of WWTPs

From high to low, reproductive condition by site can be classified as:

OA > LVB > LVW > WB

Intersex fish found in Las Vegas Wash

EDCs found in carp includeMethyl Triclosan,PBDEs,

DDT (and metabolites)

Las Vegas Bay Overton Arm0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Su

m o

f o

rga

nic

co

nta

min

an

tsin

wh

ole

bo

dy

fis

h t

iss

ue

(g

/kg

)

Effects in Male Effects in Male Largemouth BassLargemouth Bass

Relatively low KT levels and high E2/KT ratios in Las Vegas Bay males are consistent with reduced health

and reproductive condition

Only two sites have bass presentNo chemical data available yet

The differences between sites were most evident just prior spawning period

(March 2008)

ConclusionsConclusions Las Vegas Wash below WWTPs major source of hydrophobic contaminants and Las Vegas Wash below WWTPs major source of hydrophobic contaminants and

EDCs in LAME EDCs in LAME

Sole source of Galaxolide and Tonalide, weakly estrogenic musk fragrances, is Las Sole source of Galaxolide and Tonalide, weakly estrogenic musk fragrances, is Las Vegas Wash below WWTPs.Vegas Wash below WWTPs.

Hydrophilic compounds come from both sites in the Wash.Hydrophilic compounds come from both sites in the Wash.

Main source of PAHs is petrogenic compounds from within lake (boats)Main source of PAHs is petrogenic compounds from within lake (boats)

Very few EDCs coming from inflows at Overton Arm, Colorado R. or present below Very few EDCs coming from inflows at Overton Arm, Colorado R. or present below Hoover Dam.Hoover Dam.

Overall, aquatic biota show impaired reproductive function in LVW and Overall, aquatic biota show impaired reproductive function in LVW and LVB and are most exposed to EDCs in LVW, Bay, and LVB and are most exposed to EDCs in LVW, Bay, and Boulder Boulder

Basin, but other sources exist.Basin, but other sources exist.

Research TeamResearch TeamUSGS personnelUSGS personnelProject coordinator: Project coordinator: Michael R. RosenMichael R. Rosen

[email protected]@usgs.gov 775-887-7683775-887-7683

Toxicologist: Toxicologist: Steven Goodbred Steven Goodbred [email protected]@usgs.gov

916-278-9492916-278-9492Fish Biologist:Fish Biologist: Reynaldo Patiño Reynaldo Patiño

[email protected]@usgs.gov 806-742-2851806-742-2851

Chemist:Chemist: David Alvarez David Alvarez [email protected]@usgs.gov 573-441-2970573-441-2970

Risk analyst:Risk analyst: Greg Linder Greg Linder [email protected]@usgs.gov 503-590-3916503-590-3916

Fish microbiologist:Fish microbiologist: Jill Jenkins Jill Jenkins [email protected]@usgs.gov 337-266-8607337-266-8607

PartnersPartners

Toxicologist:Toxicologist: Erik OrsakErik OrsakUSFWS USFWS [email protected][email protected]

702-515-5243702-515-5243Foodweb biologist:Foodweb biologist: Sudeep ChandraSudeep ChandraUNRUNR [email protected]@cabnr.unr.edu

775-354-4849775-354-4849Microbiologist:Microbiologist: Duane MoserDuane MoserDRIDRI [email protected]@dri.edu

702-378-7639702-378-7639