Antarctica A Keystone in a Changing World · 2002 · 75 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesEnvironmental SciencesHydrologyWater Quality EngineeringWater Quality ManagementWater Resources EngineeringWastewater PollutionWater ChemistryWater ManagementWater PollutionWater QualityIn-stream Water Quality MonitoringReconnaissanceWastewater Contamination AssessmentWater Contaminant AssessmentWater Quality AnalysisWater Quality ContaminationWater Quality Investigation
Water-quality data collected during 1999 and 2000 as part of the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) are presented in this report. A network of 139 streams in 30 states were sampled and analyzed for 95 different OWCs using five new research methods developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Site selection was biased toward streams more susceptible to OWC contamination because of proximity to urban areas or livestock production. At least one OWC was detected in 80% of the streams sampled, with 82 of the 95 analyzed OWCs determined in this study detected in at least one sample.