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Caffeine in Boston Harbor seawater.
1Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sciences Department, University of Massachusetts at Boston, 02125-3393, USA.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|July 31, 2002
Summary
Caffeine, a marker of human activity, was found in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay waters. Its presence in sewage and river water highlights its use as an indicator of anthropogenic pollution in marine environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Marine Pollution Studies
Background:
- Caffeine is a widely consumed psychoactive substance.
- Anthropogenic compounds are increasingly detected in marine ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify caffeine concentrations in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay.
- To investigate the sources and pathways of caffeine as a pollutant.
- To assess caffeine's utility as a tracer for anthropogenic inputs.
Main Methods:
- Seawater samples were collected from Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay.
- Water samples were analyzed for caffeine concentrations using established analytical techniques.
- Salinity measurements were taken along a transect from Boston Harbor to Stellwagen Basin.
Main Results:
- Caffeine concentrations ranged from 140 to 1600 ng l(-1) in Boston Harbor and 5.2 to 71 ng l(-1) in Massachusetts Bay.
- Higher caffeine levels were observed in the inner harbor and freshwater sources, including Charles River water (370 ng l(-1)) and Deer Island sewage treatment plant effluent (6700 ng l(-1)).
- A negative correlation between caffeine concentration and salinity was found, suggesting dilution from freshwater sources.
Conclusions:
- Caffeine is a significant anthropogenic contaminant in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay.
- Sewage treatment plant effluent is a major source of caffeine pollution.
- Caffeine serves as a valuable chemical tracer for identifying and quantifying human-derived pollution in coastal marine environments.