Minnesota Water Resources Conference - Water Resources Center ...

Concurrent Sessions III 3:15–4:45
Track B: Pesticides, Contaminants of Concern, and Emerging Contaminants
Fermentation Processes: Effect on Contaminant Partitioning and Water Quality
Denice Nelson, University of Minnesota, nels1083@umn.edu; Paige Novak, University of Minnesota
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
Tuesday, Monday, October 27 23
The addition of carbon to a groundwater aquifer can be intentional, as in the case of bioremediation
applications, or unintentional, as in a spill of readily degradable compounds that can serve as substrate
for microbial growth. The addition of carbon, regardless of intent, promotes the growth of a fermentative
community capable of producing cosolvents (some of which are regulated in groundwater) or biosurfactants
that affect the physical and chemical structure of water, thereby influencing the behavior of hydrophobic
contaminants. In addition, potentially large volumes of methane gas can be produced as a result of these
fermentative processes. Our research quantifies the type, quantity and effect of fermentation products
stemming from carbon inputs through partitioning and column experiments. Data can be used to optimize
bioremediation systems to enhance removal of contaminants, mitigate formation of regulated compounds, and
manage spills of other degradable carbon sources.
Identification and Degradation of Industrial Phytoestrogens
Mark Lundgren, University of Minnesota, lund0583@umn.edu; Paige Novak, University of Minnesota
Plants produce a range of phytochemicals that, due to their chemical similarity to naturally produced
hormones, have the ability to cause estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. These phytoestrogens are known
to be present in many plants that are processed industrially. The goal of this research is to identify plantprocessing
industries whose effluent contains detectable levels of phytoestrogens and to understand the fate of
these compounds under typical wastewater treatment regimes. Other researchers have measured genistein, a
common phytoestrogen, at levels up to 10.5 µg/L in wastewaters from the pulp and paper industry. Our work
has shown that ethanol processes contain similar levels of genistein. Once more industries have been identified
that have the potential to produce estrogenic waste streams, discharges can be monitored and treatment plants
can be upgraded if necessary. This research is especially innovative because the investigation of industrial
effluents for estrogenic compounds is nearly absent from the literature.
A 2007 Assessment of Pesticides in Minnesota Lakes
William VanRyswyk, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, bill.vanryswyk@state.mn.us; Steven Heiskary, Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency
In 2007 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) cooperated with the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) in a statewide assessment of pesticides in Minnesota lakes as part of the National Lakes
Assessment coordinated by US EPA. Fifty two lakes were randomly selected and sampled by MPCA and EPA
staff around the state. Samples were analyzed by the MDA laboratory for 38 common pesticides and their
degradates. Pesticides and/or degradates were detected in 91 percent of the samples collected. Atrazine was
the most frequently detected compound. All detections were well below established water quality standards or
reference values. Pesticide detections were widespread including lakes from many non-agricultural areas of the
state.
Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 27–28, 20078 32