Understanding the Effect of Common Pharmaceuticals on Aquatic Organisms in Urban
Waterbodies [Onondaga Lake, NY]
Kenneth Chad Walz
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Background
Onondaga Lake, located in metropolitan Syracuse, New York, is an urban lake that has a
history of pollution. Approximately 20% of water in Onondaga Lake comes from Syracuse
METRO sewage treatment plant. This is believed to be highest percentage of treated sewage input
to any U.S. lake. Sewage treatment plants like METRO have been proven inefficient at removing
pharmaceuticals from waste water. During summer, METRO is frequently the largest single inflow
of water into the lake, and excess water from snow melt or rain causes overflows in the METRO
system. Inputs of untreated waste water have been proven around the world to release dissolved
pharmaceutical compounds into waterways, having an effect of the biota.
Many different classes of pharmaceuticals are toxic in aquatic environments.
Pharmaceuticals enter urban aquatic systems through waste treatment plants like METRO, ground
water, and run off. Main sources of pharmaceuticals are human and animal waste, and expired or
unused medications that have been disposed of improperly. Common medications like endocrine
disruptors have been shown to cause sex change and infertility in fish, and non-steroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) medications (e.g., Advil, Aleve, Aspirin) cause damage to fish gills and
organs.
Proposed Research
I proposed that pharmaceuticals released into this urban lake have been causing detrimental
effects on key aquatic organisms, inhibiting ongoing rehabilitation of the lake. My research is
working toward assessing levels of four common NSAID medications in Onondaga Lake water:
salicylic acid, ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac. Collaboration with Upstate Freshwater Institute
(UFI), a non-profit organization that has sampled the lake for over 20 years, and is an expert in lake
remediation and water chemistry has allowed me to sample lake water effectively, and determine
the effects of METRO sewage input.
After the assessment of the levels of pharmaceuticals in the lake I am planning on
performing a toxicity test, using fish that will replicate the levels of pharmaceuticals found in
Onondaga Lake water. A controlled experiment like this will allow me to definitively see the effects
these chemicals have on fish at this level.
Accomplished Research
For my first objective, I worked with UFI to design a sampling protocol to suit the needs of
my study. This protocol was carried out on a regular basis with personnel from UFI. My samples
were collected along the length of Onondaga Lake, from a depth of two meters using a Van Dorn
bottle. The transect I used to sample started at the METRO sewage outfall, and ended at the lake's
outlet to the seneca river. Many other parameters were sampled by UFI, and additional lake data
and will be made available to me as I need it. My samples were all prepped and sent for analysis, at
the time of writing this, I am still waiting on the return of my data from the lab.
In addition to my lake sampling protocol, I was able to design my toxicity test on fish,
finding out exactly the best methods by which to approach this problem. I plan on using bluegills, a
fish very common in Onondaga Lake, as it is not at the top of the food chain, and through its life
span, eats plankton and small fish and insects as it gets older. These fish will be purchased from a
certified disease free hatchery, and will be placed in ten gallon tanks with a flow through water
exchange system. Each tank will replicate various levels of pharmaceuticals found in Onondaga
Lake. After 21 days, they will be removed, and their respiration rates, reaction times and liver
weights will be analyzed.
Future Steps
The next step for my research is to my data back from the lab, after this there will be
statistical analysis, and determination of the appropriate pharmaceutical levels to use for my fish
toxicity study. This toxicity study mentioned earlier will have approximately 100 fish as
participants, and coupled with the samples taken over this study, will give me enough statistical
power for a strong publication.
This project would not have been feasible with out the support I received from the Edna
Bailey Sussman Foundation. My internship working with UFI has allowed me to plan and execute a
sampling protocol, as well as forge valuable relationships that will assist me through the process of
my masters degree at SUNY ESF. All posters and publications that result from this study will
recognize the aid that the Sussman Foundation has given to me.