Oral Presentation Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Australasia 2023

Emerging Contaminants of Concern (ECC) - testing downstream from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) in Central and Northern Queensland (#89)

Angela Capper 1 , David Williams 2 , Huong Patfield 2 , Marina Santana 3 , Cherie Motti 3 , Shaneel Chandra 4 , Ziyad Abunada 5 , Louise Reeves 6
  1. Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre, CQUniversity, Gladstone, Qld, Australia
  2. EnviroLab, MPL, Perth, WA, Australia
  3. AIMS, Townsville, QLD, Australia
  4. College of Science and Sustainability, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, QLD, 4702
  5. College of Project Management, Built Environment, Asset and Maintenance Management, School of Engineering and Technology, CQUniversity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  6. Queensland Water Directorate, Eagle Farm, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Globally, emerging contaminants of concern (ECCs) including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) and microplastics are consistently found in aquatic environments. Whilst harmful impacts have been recorded for some, others may have unknown adverse effects. The prevalence of ECCs is poorly understood, especially in regional areas. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are the repositories of wastewater and associated contaminant load on behalf of the community. Partnering with the Queensland Water Directorate and three local regional councils in central and northern Queensland, we investigated potential ECC presence in waterways near WWTPs. Water samples were collected at the source (pre-decant from WWTP), discharge point to waterway, 25 m and 50 m downstream of WWTP at three regional locations during a dry (2022) and wet season (2023). Water samples were analysed for a suite of >70 chemicals. A range of pharmaceuticals, food additives, musk fragrance and microplastics were observed across all locations, with endocrine disruptors, insect repellent, beauty cosmetics, and plastic additives identified at two locations. This data will allow participating communities to better understand the scale of the potential impacts of ECCs and provide a means to incorporate findings into future local planning.