A field study of triclosan loss rates in river water (Cibolo Creek, TX).
Triclosan (TCS) is an anti-microbial agent used in down-the-drain consumer products. Following sewage treatment some of the triclosan will enter receiving waters. This study was designed to determine the die-away rate of triclosan released into a river as part of the sewage treatment plant effluent matrix. The study was conducted in Cibolo Creek, a moderate sized stream (discharge approximately 0.1 m(3)s(-1)) located in South Central Texas. Triclosan was analyzed from samples collected upstream of the sewage treatment plant, the sewage treatment plant effluent, and the river downstream from the effluent discharge. The first-order loss rate of parent triclosan from the water column was calculated from measured data (0.06 h(-1)) and this rate corresponded to a 76% reduction in triclosan over an 8 km river reach below the discharge. Mathematical modeling indicated that sorption and settling accounted for approximately 19% of total triclosan loss over 8 km. When removing sorption and settling, the remaining amount of triclosan had an estimated first-order loss rate of 0.25 h(-1). This loss rate was presumably due to other processes such as biodegradation and photolysis. These data show that loss of parent triclosan from the water column is rapid. Additional data are needed to fully document loss mechanisms.
The Procter & Gamble Co., Environmental Science Department, Miami Valley Laboratories, P.O. Box 538707, Cincinnati, OH 45253-8707, USA. morrall.dd@pg.com
Donna
D
Morrall
Drew
D
McAvoy
Bert
B
Schatowitz
Josef
J
Inauen
Martin
M
Jacob
Armin
A
Hauk
William
W
Eckhoff
D001965:Bromides; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D013781:Texas; D014260:Triclosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
D001965:Bromides; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014260:Triclosan; C027938:sodium bromide