Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2018

AUTHORS: Carrie Coy, Lake Superior State University; Dr. Ashley Moerke, Lake Superior State University; Dr. Paul Moore, Bowling Green State University; Timothy Ververica, University of Michigan Biological Station

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) entering water bodies via outflows of wastewater treatment plants. PPCPs may accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and become incorporated into food webs, and many of these chemicals are likely harmful to aquatic organisms at the microgram to nanogram concentration level. However, little is known about concentrations of PPCPs or their effects on northern Michigan waters.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the water quality of lakes and streams in northern Lower Michigan and to determine the relationship between land use, PPCPs, and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages. Eight lake sites and fourteen stream sites with varying amounts of human activity were studied in Cheboygan and Emmet counties. Water quality (e.g., temperature, specific conductivity), dissolved nutrients (e.g., NH4+), and PPCPs (e.g., triclosan, caffeine, DEET) were measured in all waters and macroinvertebrates were collected to calculate an EPT index. All sampled sites had cotinine concentrations below detection levels. Preliminary data indicates concentrations of triclosan, DEET, and caffeine were higher in lakes than rivers. Lake concentrations of triclosan ranged from 0.2918 to 2.481 ng/L, concentrations of caffeine ranged from 5.513 to 362.1 ng/L, and DEET concentrations ranged from 6.679 to 112.9 ng/L. River concentrations of triclosan ranged from 0.0420 to 3.685 ng/L, caffeine ranged from 4.393 to 203.6 ng/L, and triclosan ranged from 4.048 to 57.08 ng/L. In addition, some samples had detectable concentrations of Bisphenol-C (BPC) and Benzothiazole (BTH). Relationships between land use, PPCPs, and macroinvertebrates will also be discussed to further understand potential sources of PPCPs and their impacts on aquatic organisms in northern Michigan lakes and streams.