WP1 Wastewater Treatment Effluents: Endocrine Disrupters and Pharmaceuticals
Wednesday, 16 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(SEG-1117-155228) Evaluation of the fate of antimicrobials in the Montréal region.

Segura, P.¹, Lajeunesse, A.², Gagnon, C.², Sauvé, S.¹, ¹ Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada² Environnement Canada-Centre Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC, Canada

ABSTRACT- A method using solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS/MS) was developed to study the fate of the most prescribed antimicrobials in the Montréal region (Québec, Canada). We analyzed samples of influents and effluents from the sewage treatment plant (STP) as well as surface water sampled in the outfall and its nearby zones on the St. Lawrence River. Our preliminary findings indicate the presence of the fluoroquinolone antimicrobials in the STP effluent with ciprofloxacin being the most abundant (41 ± 18 ng/L) among those antimicrobials. The efficiency of the STP to eliminate the targeted compounds was evaluated from our results. Their distribution and environmental fate were also determined in the effluent receiving waters.

Key words: fate, antimicrobials, wastewater, LC/MS/MS