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Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides01:28

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Characterization of insecticide resistance across aquatic arthropods of the California Sacramento River watershed.

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Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff
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Published on: May 15, 2017

Pyrethroid insecticides in municipal wastewater.

Donald P Weston1, Heather L Ramil, Michael J Lydy

  • 1Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
|July 30, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Pyrethroid insecticides are present in US municipal wastewater, with secondary treatment removing 90% but leaving toxic levels. Effluent toxicity to aquatic life was observed, though river dilution mitigated impacts at this specific site.

Keywords:
Hyalella aztecaMunicipal wastewaterPyrethroidSewage treatment

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Published on: August 1, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Water Quality Management

Background:

  • Pyrethroids are extensively used insecticides with limited data on their occurrence in U.S. municipal wastewater.
  • Understanding pyrethroid presence in wastewater is crucial for assessing environmental risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence, sources, and removal of pyrethroids in municipal wastewater from the Sacramento, California area.
  • To evaluate the ecotoxicity of wastewater effluent containing pyrethroids to aquatic organisms.

Main Methods:

  • Wastewater and effluent samples were collected from the Sacramento area.
  • Pyrethroid concentrations were analyzed using analytical chemistry techniques.
  • Toxicity tests were performed using the amphipod Hyalella azteca.

Main Results:

  • Permethrin, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, and cyhalothrin were detected, with combined concentrations ranging from 200-500 ng/L.
  • Pyrethroids likely originated from drain disposal practices, not primarily urban runoff.
  • Secondary treatment removed about 90% of pyrethroids, but effluent concentrations remained acutely toxic to Hyalella azteca.

Conclusions:

  • Municipal wastewater effluent can contain toxic levels of pyrethroids, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems.
  • While river dilution may reduce impacts at some discharge points, site-specific assessments are necessary.
  • Further research into pyrethroid sources and mitigation strategies in wastewater is warranted.