Trace Organic Chemicals in Biosolids-Amended Soils

212 Pages·2010·2.78 MB·English

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B i o s o l i d s
Trace Organic Chemicals in
Biosolids-Amended Soils
State-of-the-Science Review
Co-published by
SRSK5T09

T O C
RACE RGANIC HEMICALS IN
B -A S
IOSOLIDS MENDED OILS

STATE-OF-THE-SCIENCE REVIEW

by:
Christopher P. Higgins
Jonathan O. Sharp
Jennifer G. Sepulvado
BobbiJo Littrell
Colorado School of Mines

George O’Connor
University of Florida

Erin Snyder
Total Environmental Solutions, Inc.

Drew McAvoy
The Procter & Gamble Company

2010
The Water Environment Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, funds and manages water quality
research for its subscribers through a diverse public-private partnership between municipal utilities, corporations,
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cost-effective water quality solutions. WERF is dedicated to advancing science and technology addressing water
quality issues as they impact water resources, the atmosphere, the lands, and quality of life.

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This report was co-published by the following organization.

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© Copyright 2010 by the Water Environment Research Foundation. All rights reserved. Permission to copy must be
obtained from the Water Environment Research Foundation.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2010921255
Printed in the United States of America
IWAP ISBN: 978-1-84339-393-1/1-84339-393-x

This report was prepared by the organization(s) named below as an account of work sponsored by the Water
Environment Research Foundation (WERF). Neither WERF, members of WERF, the organization(s) named below,
nor any person acting on their behalf: (a) makes any warranty, express or implied, with respect to the use of any
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Colorado School of Mines

This document was reviewed by a panel of independent experts selected by WERF. Mention of trade names or
commercial products or services does not constitute endorsement or recommendations for use. Similarly, omission
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ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The research teams thanks the members of the Project Subcommittee (PSC) for their
constructive critique and feedback. The individuals volunteering their time in this advisory role
are listed below. The team also thanks the external peer reviewers that agreed to review a
provide comments on this report: Steve Beaulieu, Thomas Borch, Edward T. Furlong, Roman P.
Lanno, Linda S. Lee, David Quanrud, Kate M. Scow, and Tracy Yager. Thanks also go to Joseph
Wiley, a Colorado School of Mines graduate student who was diligent in his pursuit of data.

Report Preparation
Principal Investigators:
Christopher P. Higgins, Ph.D.
Jonathan O. Sharp, Ph.D.
Colorado School of Mines

Project Team:
James Gray, Ph.D.
United States Geological Survey

Lakhwinder Hundal, Ph.D.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Drew McAvoy, Ph.D.
The Procter & Gamble Company

George O’Connor, Ph.D.
University of Florida

Jennifer G. Sepulvado, M.S.
BobbiJo Littrell
Colorado School of Mines

Erin Snyder, Ph.D.
Total Environmental Solutions, Inc.

Edward Topp, Ph.D.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Trace Organic Chemicals in Biosolids-Amended Soils iii
Project Subcommittee
Thomas Granato
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Greg Kester
California Association of Sanitation Agencies

Mark Ramirez
District of Columbia, Water and Sewer Authority

Rick Stevens
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

David S. Taylor
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District

Water Environment Research Foundation Staff
Director of Research: Daniel M. Woltering, Ph.D.
Program Manager: Alan Hais, P.E.
iv
ABSTRACT AND BENEFITS

Abstract:

The presence of trace organic chemicals (TOrCs) in municipal biosolids in the U.S. has
received considerable attention by the public and scientific community over the last several
years. Of particular concern is whether the presence of TOrCs in biosolids results in significant
risks to public health and the environment following land application. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency evaluated the risks associated with dioxins present in biosolids-amended
soils, but assessments of TOrCs of emerging concern have not been similarly assessed, owing in
part to limited data needed for the risk assessment. In this study, an evaluation was made to
determine the TOrCs of greatest concern in the terrestrial environment, categorized as high
priority and low priority TOrCs. The assessment was based on occurrence data and readily
available information on basic properties such as bioaccumulation and toxicity. An evaluation of
quantitative risk assessments was also conducted to identify the most important parameters for
conducting ecological risk assessments and the techniques currently available for obtaining the
parameter values. A minimum data set for risk modeling was identified. A comprehensive
literature review of the identified TOrCs of greatest concern identified relevant data on fate,
transport, biotransfer from soil to plants and animals, and toxicity in the terrestrial environment.
Based on the review, data gaps were identified for the parameters most important for conducting
terrestrial risk assessments.

Benefits:

♦ Identifies the TOrCs of potential greatest concern for the land application of biosolids
and prioritized them based on occurrence data and readily available data on
bioaccumulation and toxicity.
♦ Provides a comprehensive compilation of biosolids occurrence data for the targeted
TOrCs.
♦ Provides an examination of risk assessment methodology used in the United States and
Europe and identifies the minimum data set needed for ecological and human risk
assessment modeling.
♦ Provides a detailed overview of what is currently known about the physical, chemical,
and biological processes affecting TOrC fate, transport, bioavailability, and toxicity in
biosolids-amended soils for the targeted TOrCs.

Keywords: Trace organic chemicals, biosolids, fate and transport, terrestrial risk assessment.

Trace Organic Chemicals in Biosolids-Amended Soils v
TABLE OF CONTENTS

A cknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii
Abstract and Benefits .......................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................x
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... xii
List of Acronyms ......................................................................................................................... xiii
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................ES-1

1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1-1
1.1 Historical Context ................................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 Chemicals of Emerging Concern ......................................................................... 1-2
1.3 Purpose and Scope of the Present Study .............................................................. 1-2
1.3.1 Research Approach .................................................................................. 1-3
1.4 Data Gap Analysis ............................................................................................... 1-5

2.0 Selection and Prioritization of Target Trace Organic Chemicals ............................. 2-1
2.1 Selection Process for Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals ....................... 2-1
2.2 Selection Approach .............................................................................................. 2-3
2.2.1 Categorical Exclusions............................................................................. 2-3
2.2.2 Regulated Elsewhere or Previously Evaluated ........................................ 2-3
2.2.3 Exclusions Based on Natural Occurrence ................................................ 2-7
2.2.4 Exclusions Based on Occurrence Data .................................................... 2-8
2.2.5 Inclusions Based on Risk Perception and Known Data Gaps................ 2-11
2.3 Prioritization ...................................................................................................... 2-11

3.0 Assessing the Risk of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ................ 3-1
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 U.S. EPA - Part 503 ............................................................................................. 3-2
3.2.1 Exposure Assessment............................................................................... 3-4
3.2.2 Hazard Assessment .................................................................................. 3-5
3.2.3 Risk Characterization ............................................................................... 3-7
3.2.4 Data Needs ............................................................................................... 3-9
3.3 European Union Technical Guidance Document ................................................ 3-9
3.3.1 Exposure Assessment............................................................................. 3-11
3.3.2 Effects Assessment ................................................................................ 3-12
3.3.3 Risk Characterization ............................................................................. 3-13
3.3.4 Data Needs ............................................................................................. 3-14
3.4 International Life Sciences Institute – Europe ................................................... 3-14
3.4.1 Exposure Assessment............................................................................. 3-15
3.4.2 Effects Assessment ................................................................................ 3-15
3.4.3 Risk Assessment .................................................................................... 3-16
3.4.4 Data Needs ............................................................................................. 3-17
3.5 Data Sources and Estimation Tools .................................................................. 3-17
3.5.1 Data Sources ......................................................................................... 3-17
3.5.2 Estimation Tools .................................................................................... 3-17
vi
3.6 Summary of Data Needs for Terrestrial Risk Assessments ............................... 3-18
3.6.1 Emissions to Soil.................................................................................... 3-18
3.6.2 Partitioning in Soil ................................................................................. 3-18
3.6.3 Degradation in Soil ................................................................................ 3-18
3.6.4 Ecological Effects in Soil....................................................................... 3-19
3.6.5 Bioaccumulation in Soil ......................................................................... 3-19
3.7 Summary of Modeling Needs for Risk Assessments ......................................... 3-19
3.7.1 Sorption in Soil ...................................................................................... 3-19
3.7.2 Biotransformation in Soil ....................................................................... 3-20
3.7.3 Transformation in Plants ........................................................................ 3-20
3.7.4 Biosolids Concentrations ....................................................................... 3-20
3.7.5 Sensitivity Analysis ............................................................................... 3-20
3.7.6 Field Validation ..................................................................................... 3-20
3.7.7 Tiered Assessment Approach ................................................................ 3-21

4.0 Occurrence of Trace Organic Chemicals in Municipal Biosolids ............................. 4-1
4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4-1
4.2 National Surveys of Trace Organic Chemicals in Municipal Sludge .................. 4-2
4.2.1 Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey ............................................... 4-2
4.2.2 United States Geological Survey Biosolids Survey ................................. 4-5
4.3 Literature Surveys of Trace Organic Chemicals in Municipal Sludge ................ 4-6
4.4 Occurrence of Selected TOrCs in Biosolids-Amended Soils .............................. 4-6
4.5 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 4-7

5.0 Mobility of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ................................ 5-1
5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Targeted Physicochemical Data ........................................................................... 5-3
5.3 Sorption of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ......................... 5-3
5.3.1 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products .......................................... 5-3
5.3.2 Steroidal Chemicals ............................................................................... 5-12
5.3.3 Brominated Flame Retardants................................................................ 5-14
5.3.4 Perfluorochemicals and Perfluorochemical Precursors ......................... 5-15
5.3.5 Plasticizers ............................................................................................. 5-18
5.3.6 Surfactants.............................................................................................. 5-18
5.4 Volatilization of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ............... 5-19
5.4.1 Polybrominated Biphenyl Ethers ........................................................... 5-19
5.4.2 Fluorotelomer Alcohols ......................................................................... 5-20
5.5 Field Observations ............................................................................................. 5-20
5.5.1 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products ........................................ 5-20
5.5.6 Steroidal Chemicals ............................................................................... 5-22
5.5.7 Brominated Flame Retardants................................................................ 5-23
5.6 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 5-23
5.6.1 Data Gaps ............................................................................................... 5-24

6.0 Biodegradation of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils .................... 6-1
6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6-1
6.2 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products ...................................................... 6-2
Trace Organic Chemicals in Biosolids-Amended Soils vii
6.2.1 Antimicrobial Agents ............................................................................... 6-2
6.2.2 Antibiotics ................................................................................................ 6-4
6.2.3 Synthetic Musks ....................................................................................... 6-4
6.3 Steroidal Chemicals ............................................................................................. 6-4
6.4 Brominated Flame Retardants.............................................................................. 6-6
6.5 Perfluorochemicals and PFC Precursors .............................................................. 6-7
6.6 Plasticizers ........................................................................................................... 6-8
6.7 Surfactants............................................................................................................ 6-9
6.8 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 6-11

7.0 Bioavailability and Bioaccumulation of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic
Chemicals in Soils .......................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1.1 Bioaccumulation Metrics ......................................................................... 7-2
7.2 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products ...................................................... 7-3
7.2.1 Antimicrobial Agents ............................................................................... 7-3
7.2.2 Tetracycline Antibiotics ........................................................................... 7-4
7.2.3 Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics .................................................................... 7-6
7.2.4 Synthetic Musks ....................................................................................... 7-6
7.3 Steroidal Chemicals ............................................................................................. 7-6
7.4 Brominated Flame Retardants.............................................................................. 7-7
7.5 Perfluorochemicals and Perfluorochemical Precursors ....................................... 7-8
7.6 Plasticizers and Surfactants.................................................................................. 7-9
7.7 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 7-9

8.0 Toxicity of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ................................. 8-1
8.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 8-1
8.1.1 Background .............................................................................................. 8-1
8.1.2 Literature Search Strategy........................................................................ 8-1
8.2 Overview of Literature Search Results ................................................................ 8-2
8.2.1 Ecotoxicity of Selected TOrCs in Soil or Sediment ................................ 8-3
8.2.2 Human Toxicity of Selected TOrCs ........................................................ 8-4
8.3 Literature Search Results for Individual Chemicals or Classes ........................... 8-4
8.3.1 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products .......................................... 8-4
8.3.2 Steroidal Chemicals ................................................................................. 8-9
8.3.3 Brominated Fire Retardants ................................................................... 8-11
8.3.4 Perfluorochemicals and PFC Precursors ................................................ 8-13
8.3.5 Surfactants and Plasticizers.................................................................... 8-14
8.4 Summary and Conclusions ................................................................................ 8-17

9.0 Impacts of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals on Soil Microorganisms ..... 9-1
9.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 9-1
9.2 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products ...................................................... 9-2
9.3 Brominated Flame Retardants and Steroidal Chemicals ..................................... 9-5
9.4 Perfluorochemicals and Surfactants .................................................................... 9-5
9.5 Plasticizers ........................................................................................................... 9-6
9.6 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 9-6
viii
10.0 Summary and Conclusions ......................................................................................... 10-1
10.1 Overview ............................................................................................................ 10-1
10.2 TOrC Selection and Prioritization ..................................................................... 10-1
10.3 Risk Assessment Modeling ................................................................................ 10-4
10.4 Occurrence of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals ................................ 10-6
10.5 Mobility of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ....................... 10-7
10.6 Persistence of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ................... 10-8
10.7 Bioaccumulation of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils .......... 10-9
10.8 Toxicity of Biosolids-Borne Trace Organic Chemicals in Soils ..................... 10-11
10.9 Impacts on Soil Microbial Communities ......................................................... 10-12
10.10 Overall Data Gaps ............................................................................................ 10-13

References ....................................................................................................................................R-1

Trace Organic Chemicals in Biosolids-Amended Soils ix