Waste-Indicator and Pharmaceutical Compounds in Landfill-Leachate-Affected Ground Water near Elkhart, Indiana, 2000–2002

Abstract

Four wells downgradient from a landfill near Elkhart, Indiana were sampled during 2000-2002 to evaluate the presence of waste-indicator and pharmaceutical compounds in landfill-leachate-affected ground water. Compounds detected in leachate-affected ground water included detergent metabolites (p-nonylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, nonylphenol diethoxylate, and octylphenol monoethoxylate), plasticizers (ethanol-2-butoxy-phosphate and diethylphthalate), a plastic monomer (bisphenol A), disinfectants (1,4-dichlorobenzene and triclosan), an antioxidant (5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole), three fire-retardant compounds (tributylphosphate and tri(2-chloroethyl)phosphate, and tri(dichlorisopropyl)phosphate), and several pharmaceuticals and metabolites (acetaminophen, caffeine, cotinine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, fluoxetine, and ibuprofen). Acetaminophen, caffeine, and cotinine detections confirm prior indications of pharmaceutical and nicotinate disposal in the landfill.

Review of risk from potential emerging contaminants in UK groundwater

“…The presence of pharmaceuticals in groundwater beneath or downgradient of a landfill has been confirmed by several authors (Ahel and Jelicic, 2001;Ahel et al, 1998;Eckel et al, 1993;Holm et al, 1995). Two recent studies (Barnes et al, 2004;Buszka et al, 2009) investigating the occurrence of groundwater down gradient of landfills detected a range of industrial compounds (detergents, antioxidants, fire retardants, plasticisers) as well as PPCPs (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, barbiturates) and the caffeine and the nicotine metabolite cotinine.…”

Emerging organic contaminants in groundwater: A review of sources, fate and occurrence

“…Eckel et al, 1993;Holm et al, 1995;Ahel et al, 1998;Ahel and Jelicic 2000). Two recent studies (Barnes et al, 2004 andBuszka et al, 2009) Europe, due to the huge number of these point sources, and widespread use in rural settings. A detailed study carried out in Canada (Carrara et al, 2007) showed septic tank samples contained elevated concentrations of several pharmaceutical compounds.…”

Occurrence and ecological potential of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in groundwater and reservoirs in the vicinity of municipal landfills in China

“…Landfilling is so far the most common practice for the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) worldwide (Buszka et al, 2009;Eggen et al, 2010). Some solid wastes, such as discarded pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), plastic products, and electrical products, may release hazardous substances into landfill leachate and subsequently into recipient environments, threatening the health of ecosystems and even human beings (Eggen et al, 2010).…”

“…A variety of chemicals, including high concentrations of dissolved organic/inorganic carbon, ammonium, methane, and heavy metals, have been detected in landfill leachate (Befenati et al, 2003;Li et al, 2014;Peng et al, 2014;Roy et al, 2014;Yamamoto et al, 2001). In addition, research has also revealed persistence of various chemicals, such as plasticizers and PPCPs, in the groundwater down gradient of landfills (Barnes et al, 2008;Buszka et al, 2009). Holm et al (1995) detected sulfonamides in the groundwater down gradient of a landfill site in Denmark at concentrations up to 10 4 -10 6 ng/L.…”

“…It was found that landfill leachatecontaminated groundwater had the highest median concentrations of emerging organic contaminants . As a result, landfills have been recognized as one of the primary sources of contamination in groundwater and surface water (Barnes et al, 2008;Befenati et al, 2003;Buszka et al, 2009;Holm et al, 1995;Stuart et al, 2012). Furthermore, Norman Landfill, located in the USA, was observed to influence the functional structure of aquifer microbial communities in the surrounding groundwater (Lu et al, 2012).…”