Indicative bacteria in stored biosolids and wastewater associated pharmaceuticals in the environment
by Wu, Chenxi, Ph.D., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, 2010, 190 pages; 3423266

Abstract:

Wastewater is an important source for pathogens and anthropogenic organic contaminants. To understand the possible environmental impacts of wastewater associated contaminants, experiments were formed to (1) study the impact of biosolids storage on indicator bacteria (Total coliform, E. coli, Enterococcus) and the structure of microbial community; (2) study the occurrence and behavior of pharmaceuticals in the environment. The first part of the work was described in Chapter 1. In this part, biosolids were stored in the field under three storage conditions (dark anaerobic, dark aerobic, and light aerobic). Samples were collected over the period of biosolids storage and assayed for population density and antibiotic-resistant rate for the indicator bacteria. The structural change of microbial community was investigated using a molecular method (PCR-DGGE). The results suggested that in stored biosolids, the density of indicator bacteria generally followed a decreasing trend, the antibiotic-resistant rate was stable with no testable change, and the structure of microbial community was also relatively stable. Thus, biosolids storage may not be a problem for the regrowth and increase of antibiotic-resistance rate for indicator bacteria. The second part of the work was described in Chapter 2 to 5. In this part, analytical method were developed for the analysis of over 40 pharmaceuticals compounds from different environmental matrices. Using developed methods, the occurrence of several pharmaceuticals was studied within an agricultural landscape. The occurrence of detected compounds was found possibly related to the use of septic systems within the study area. Pharmaceuticals can be transported into the terrestrial environment following biosolids land application. Several projects were carried out the study the sorption, degradation, transport and plant uptake in soils. The environmental behavior of pharmaceuticals was found related to their properties such as biodegradability, hydrophobicity, and dissociation and also affected by their interaction with soils. Results from those experiments indicated that several pharmaceuticals can persist in the environment, which leads to the concern of their potential environmental effects.

 
AdvisersAlison Spongberg; Von Sigler
SchoolTHE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
SourceDAI/B 71-10, p. , Oct 2010
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsEcology; Environmental health; Environmental science
Publication Number3423266
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