MONITORING WATER QUALITY AND PHARMACEUTICALS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (PPCPS) IN THE QUINNIPIAC RIVER, CONNECTICUT, USA

The Quinnipiac River in Connecticut, USA traverses through urban, forested, and estuarine areas before emptying into Long Island Sound. In addition to the variety of surrounding land-uses, the river also receives wastewater effluent from multiple water treatment plants, which introduce pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). To evaluate the contribution of land-use and effluent input on the river, water samples were collected at seven locations including above and below three water treatment plants between Meriden, CT and New Haven, CT. Summer and winter seasonality was compared by sampling five times in June-August and three times in November-January, in both 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. At each location, in situ pH, conductivity, and temperature were measured, along with absorbance and fluorescence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate and nitrite concentrations, and fecal coliform bacteria counts. The presence of PPCPs was determined by passing 300-600 mL of water through solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges and analyzing the eluent by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results showed measurable amounts of several prescription medications, as well as fertilizers, hydrocarbons, and precursors to plastics. Winter 2023-2024 showed elevated DOC concentrations and coliform counts, but slightly lower DOM fluorescence compared to summer 2023-2024 samples.

Presentation Preference: Poster

Primary Presenter: Joanna Kinsey, Quinnipiac University (joanna.kinsey@quinnipiac.edu)

Authors:

Joanna Kinsey, Quinnipiac University  (joanna.kinsey@quinnipiac.edu)

Kathryn DeStefano, Quinnipiac University  (kathryn.destefano@quinnipiac.edu)

Ashton Gillard, Quinnipiac University  (ashton.gillard@quinnipiac.edu)

Isabelle Zimber, Quinnipiac University  (isabelle.zimber@quinnipiac.edu)