Chemical Transformations in Water Reclamation and Reuse

Many hydrological and geochemical processes associated with water reclamation and reuse are poorly understood. In particular, the occurrence, fate, and effects of trace organic and inorganic contaminants present in reclaimed water needs further investigation. Research on the chemistry of reclaimed water and the relationship to hydrological processes is especially critical to individuals responsible for management, protection, and restoration of these resources. The project objective is to understand the basic principles controlling the sources, occurrence, and transformations of wastewater derived trace chemicals and the interaction of reclaimed water chemistry with receiving streams, lakes, wetlands, and ground water. The project will integrate chemical measurements, theoretical predictions, laboratory studies and experimental field studies in ground-water and surface-water environments.

REPORTS PUBLISHED 2001-2008

Barnes, K.K., Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Zaugg, S.D., Meyer, M.T., and Barber, L.B., in press, A national reconnaissance of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants in the United States - I) Groundwater: Science of The Total Environment.

Focazio, M.J., Kolpin, D.W., Barnes, K.K., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Zaugg, S.D., Barber, L.B., and Thurman, M.E., in press, A national reconnaissance for pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants in the United States -- II) Untreated drinking water sources: Science of The Total Environment. (on-line abstract of journal article preprint)

Vajda, A.M., Barber, L.B., Gray, J.L., Lopez, E.M., Woodling, J.D., and Norris, D.O., i n press, Reproductive disruption in fish downstream from an estrogenic wastewater effluent: Environmental Science and Technology

Bradley, P.M., Barber, L.B., Kolpin, D.W., McMahon, P.B., and Chapelle, F.H., 2008, Potential for 4-n-nonylphenol biodegradation in stream sediments: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 27, p. 260-265. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Schoenfuss, H.L., Bartell, S.E., Bistodeau, T.B., Cediel, R.A., Grove, K.J., Zintek, L., Lee, K.E., and Barber, L.B., 2008, Impairment of the reproductive potential of male fathead minnows by environmentally relevant exposures to 4-nonylphenol: Aquatic Toxicology, v. 86, no. 1, p. 91-98, doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.10.004. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Barber, L.B., Lee, K.E., Swackhamer, D.L., Schoenfuss, H.L., 2007, Reproductive responses of male fathead minnows exposed to wastewater treatment plant effluent, effluent treated with XAD8 resin, and an environmentally relevant mixture of alkylphenol compounds: Aquatic Toxicology, v. 82, p. 36-46. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Bradley, P.M., Barber, L.B., Kolpin, D.W., McMahon, P.B., and Chapelle, F.H., 2007, Biotransformation of caffeine, cotinine, and nicotine in stream sediments—Implications for use as wastewater indicators: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 26, p. 1,116-1,121. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Barber, L.B., Keefe, S.H., Antweiler, R.C., Taylor, H.E., and Wass, R.D., 2006, Accumulation of contaminants in fish from wastewater treatment wetlands: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 603-611. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Barber, L.B., Keefe, S.H., Antweiler, R.C., Taylor, H.E., and Wass, R.D., 2006, Response to comment on "Accumulation of contaminants in fish from wastewater treatment wetlands": Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 3438-3439.

Barber, L.B., Murphy, S.F., Verplanck, P.L., Sandstrom, M.W., Taylor, H.E., and Furlong, E.T., 2006, Chemical loading into surface water along a hydrological, biogeochemical, and land use gradient: A holistic watershed approach: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 475-486. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 1784 KB, published by American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright)

Conn, K.E., Barber, L.B., Brown, G.K., and Siegrist, R.L., 2006, Occurrence and fate of organic contaminants during onsite wastewater treatment: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 7358-7366. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Repert, D.A., Barber, L.B., Hess, K.M., Keefe, S.H., Kent, D.B., LeBlanc, D.R., and Smith, R.L., 2006, Long-term natural attenuation of carbon and nitrogen within a groundwater plume after removal of the treated wastewater source: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 40, p. 1,154-1,162. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 474 kb, published by American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright)

Savoie, J.G., Smith, R.L., Kent, D.B., Hess, K.M., LeBlanc, D.R., and Barber, L.B., 2006, Ground-water-quality data for a treated-wastewater plume undergoing natural restoration, Ashumet Valley, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1994-2004: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 198, 1 CD-ROM (on-line abstract and to download files)

Barnes, K.K., Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Zaugg, S.D., Meyer, M.T., Barber, L.B., and Focazio, M.J., 2005, Studies examine contaminants: Pharmaceuticals, hormones and other organic wastewater contaminants in ground water resouces: National Driller Magazine, v. 26, p. 38-39. (on-line article)

Hart, R.J., Taylor, H.E., Fisk, R.C., Anderson, G.M., Roth, D.A., Flynn, M.E., Peart, D.B., Truini, M., and Barber, L.B., 2005, Physical and chemical characteristics of Knowles, Forgotten, and Moqui Canyons, and effects of recreational use on water quality, Lake Powell, Arizona and Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5120, 43 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 1.9 MB)

Verplanck, P.L., Taylor, H.E., Nordstrom, D.K., and Barber, L.B., 2005, Aqueous stability of gadolinium in surface waters receiving sewage treatment plant effluent, Boulder Creek, Colorado: Environmental Science & Technology, v. 39, p. 6923-6929. (on-line abstract of journal article)

Vogel, J.R., Barber, L.B., Furlong, E.T., Coplen, T.B., Verstraeten, I.M., and Meyer, M.T., 2005, Occurrence of selected pharaceutical and non-pharmaceutical compounds and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios in a riverbank filtration study, Platte River, Nebraska, 2001 to 2003, volume 2: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 141. (on-line report)

Vogel, J.R., Verstraeten, I.M., Coplen, T.B., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., and Barber, L.B., 2005, Occurrence of selected pharaceutical and non-pharmaceutical compounds and stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios in a riverbank filtration study, Platte River, Nebraska, 2001 to 2003, volume 1: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 117. (on-line report)

Barnes, K.F., Focazio, M.J., Christenson, S.C., Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Zaugg, S.D., Meyer, M.T., and Barber, L.B., 2004, Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants within a contaminant plume downgradient of a municipal landfill: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, v. 24, no. 2, p. 119-126. (on-line abstract)

Cordy, G., Duran, N., Bouwer, H., Rice, R., Furlong, E., Zaugg, S., Meyer, M., Barber, L., and Kolpin, D., 2004, Do pharmaceuticals, pathogens, and other organic wastewater compounds persist when wastewater is used for recharge?: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, v. 24, no. 2, p. 58-69. (on-line abstract)

DeJong, K.E., Siefrist, R.L., Barber, L.B., and Wren, A.L., 2004, Occurence of emerging organic chemicals in wastewater effluents from onsite systems: Proceedings 10th National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Systems, Sacramento, CA, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, p. 400-407. (on-line abstract of article)

Keefe, S.H., Barber, L.B., Runkel, R.L., and Ryan, J.N., 2004, Fate of volatile organic compounds in a constructed wastewater treatment wetland: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 38, p. 2209-2216.

Keefe, S.H., Barber, L.B., Runkel, R.L., Ryan, J.N., McKnight, D.M., and Wass, R., 2004, Conservative and reactive solute transport in constructed wetlands: Water Resources Research, v. 40, no. 1, W01201. (on-line abstract)

Lee, K.E., Barber, L.B., Furlong, E.T., Cahill, J.D., Kolpin, D.W., Meyer, M.T., and Zaugg, S.D., 2004, Presence and distribution of organic wastewater compounds in wastewater, surface, ground, and drinking waters, Minnesota, 2000-03: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific-Investigations Report 2004-5138, 47 p. (on-line abstract or on-line report in pdf format, 1.3 MB)

Barber, L.B., 2003, Characterization of dissolved organic matter by concentration, fractionation, and molecular weight determination, in Schroeder, R.A., ed., Water-quality changes and organic-carbon characterization during recharge with recycled water at a research basin in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles, California, 1991-1996: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4146, chapt. 8, p. 78-88.

Barber, L.B., Antweiler, R.C., Brown, G.K., Keefe, S.H., Peart, D.B., Plowman, T.I., Roth, D.A., and Taylor, H.E., 2003, Organic and trace element contaminants in water, biota, sediments, and semi-permeable membrane devices at the Tres Rios Demonstration Wetlands, Phoenix, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4129, 88 p.

Barber, L.B., Furlong, E.T., Keefe, S.H., Brown, G.K., and Cahill J.D., 2003, Natural and contaminant organic compounds in the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado, during high-flow and low-flow conditions, 2000, Chapter 5 in Murphy, S.F., Verplanck, P.L., and Barber, L.B., eds., Comprehensive water quality of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado, during high-flow and low-flow conditions, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4045, p. 103-144. (on-line chapter in pdf format)

Barber, L.B., and Rostad, C.E., 2003, Specific organic contaminants, in Schroeder, R.A., ed., Water-quality changes and organic-carbon characterization during recharge with recycled water at a research basin in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles, California, 1991-1996: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4146, chapt. 12, p. 116-122.

Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Thurman, E.M., Zaugg, S.D., Barber, L.B., and Buxton, H.T., 2003, Response to comment by Till (2003) on "Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewaters in U.S. streams" - A national reconnaissance: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 37, p. 1054. (on-line response)

Leenheer, J.A., and Barber, L.B., 2003, Hierarchal approach to organic matter characterization, in Schroeder, R.A., ed., Water-quality changes and organic-carbon characterization during recharge with recycled water at a research basin in Montebello Forebay, Los Angeles, California, 1991-1996: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4146, chapt. 6, p. 57-60.

Murphy, S.F., Barber, L.B., Verplanck, P.L., and Kinner, D.A., 2003, Environmental setting and hydrology of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Chapter 1 in Murphy, S.F., Verplanck, P.L., and Barber, L.B., eds., Comprehensive water quality of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado, during high-flow and low-flow conditions, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4045, p. 5-26. (on-line chapter in pdf format)

Murphy, S.F., Verplanck, P.L., and Barber, L.B., eds., 2003, Comprehensive water quality of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado, during high-flow and low-flow conditions, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4045, 198 p. (on-line report)

Verplanck, P.L., Murphy, S.F., and Barber, L.B., 2003, Water quality of the Boulder Creek Watershed, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 043-03. (on-line fact sheet)

Barber, L.B., 2002, Long term fate of organic micro-pollutants in the subsurface enviornment, Cape Cod, Massachusetts - from field studies to experimentation, in Aiken, G.R., and Kuniansky, E.L., eds., U.S. Geological Survey Artificial Recharge Workshop Proceedings, Sacramento, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-89, p. 34-37. (on-line report)

Barnes, K.K., Kolpin, D.W., Meyer, M.T., Thurman, E.M., Furlong, E.T., Zaugg, S.D., and Barber, L.B., 2002, Water-Quality Data for Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999-2000: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-94. (on-line report)

Cordy, G., Duran, N., Bouwer, H., Rice, R., Adamsen, F., Askins, J., Kolpin, D., Furlong, E., Zaugg, S., Meyer, M., and Barber, L., 2002, Do pharmaceuticals, pathogens, and other organic wastewater contaminants persist when wastewater is used for recharge?, in Tembly, J., compiler, Symposium 2002—Water Transfers: Past, Present, and Future: Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Symposium of the Arizona Hydrological Society, Flagstaff, AZ, Sept. 18-21, 2002, p. 105-109.

Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Thurman, E.M., Zaugg, S.D., Barber, L.B., and Buxton, H.T., 2002, Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. Streams, 1999-2000 - A National Reconnaissance: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 35, p. 1202-1211. (on-line abstract or on-line article)

Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Thurman, E.M., Zaugg, S.D., Barber, L.B., and Buxton, H.T., 2002, Response to comments by Eckel (2002) on Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000: A national reconnaissance: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 36, no. 18, p. 4004.

Kolpin, D.W., Furlong, E.T., Meyer, M.T., Thurman, E.M., Zaugg, S.D., Barber, L.B., and Buxton, H.T., 2002, Response to comments by Ericson, Laenge, and Sullivan (2002) on Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999-2000: A national reconnaissance: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 36, no. 18, p. 4007-4008.

Zaugg, S.D., Smith, S.G., Schroeder, M.P., Barber, L.B., and Burkhardt, M.R., 2002, Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory--Determination of wastewater compounds by polystyrene-divinylbenzene solid-phase extraction and capillary-column gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Reports 01-4186, 37 p. (on-line report in pdf format, 3.8MB)

Barber, L.B., Leenheer, J.A., Noyes, T.I., and Stiles, E.A., 2001, Nature and transformation of dissolved organic matter in treatment wetlands: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 35, p. 4805-4816. (on-line abstract or on-line pdf file - published by American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright)

Keefe, S.H., 2001, Modeling transport and fate of organic compounds in constructed wetlands: Master of Science Thesis, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO,142 p.

Leenheer, J.A., Hsu, J., and Barber, L.B., 2001, Transport and fate of organic wastes in groundwater at the Stringfellow hazardous waste disposal site, southern California:Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 51, no. 3-4, p. 163-178. (on-line abstract)

Leenheer, J.A., Rostad, C.E., Barber, L.B., Schroeder, R.A., Anders, R., and Davisson, M.L., 2001, Nature and chlorine reactivity of organic constituents from reclaimed water in groundwater, Los Angeles County, California: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 35, no. 19, p. 3869 - 3876. (on-line abstract or on-line pdf file - published by American Chemical Society; not subject to U.S. copyright)

For bibliographic information prior to 2001, see the project, Comprehensive Organic Analysis of Water.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT, CONTACT:
Larry B. Barber
U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine St., Boulder, CO 80303
Email: lbbarber@usgs.gov
Telephone: 303-541-3039

For information on additional projects in the National Research Program, see Indexes to NRP projects and bibliographies.