Waste-Indicator and Pharmaceutical Compounds in Landfill-Leachate-Affected Ground Water near Elkhart, Indiana, 2000-2002

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 82; no. 6; pp. 653 - 659
• Main Authors: Buszka, P. M, Yeskis, D. J, Kolpin, D. W, Furlong, E. T, Zaugg, S. D, Meyer, M. T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York New York : Springer-Verlag 01-06-2009; Springer-Verlag; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Bisphenol A; Caffeine; Dichlorobenzene; Disinfectants; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Ethanol; Flame retardants; Groundwater pollution; Hazardous Waste - analysis; Indiana; Industrial Waste - analysis; Landfill; Landfills; Leachates; Medical Waste - analysis; Metabolites; Pharmaceutical Preparations - analysis; Pharmaceuticals; Pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Toxicology; Waste disposal sites; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution Control; Water Supply - analysis; Indiana; USA, Indiana; Indiana; Wastewater; Landfill leachate; Ground water; Pharmaceuticals
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-009-9702-z

Four wells downgradient from a landfill near Elkhart, Indiana were sampled during 2000-2002 to evaluate the presence of waste-indicator and pharmaceutical compounds in landfill-leachate-affected ground water. Compounds detected in leachate-affected ground water included detergent metabolites (p-nonylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, nonylphenol diethoxylate, and octylphenol monoethoxylate), plasticizers (ethanol-2-butoxy-phosphate and diethylphthalate), a plastic monomer (bisphenol A), disinfectants (1,4-dichlorobenzene and triclosan), an antioxidant (5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole), three fire-retardant compounds (tributylphosphate and tri(2-chloroethyl)phosphate, and tri(dichlorisopropyl)phosphate), and several pharmaceuticals and metabolites (acetaminophen, caffeine, cotinine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, fluoxetine, and ibuprofen). Acetaminophen, caffeine, and cotinine detections confirm prior indications of pharmaceutical and nicotinate disposal in the landfill.