Picture 1. Brush Creek at Kansas City, MO on the Plaza
Picture 2. Daniel Armstrong taking water quality measurements on Brush Creek at Rockhill Road
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, began a study in 1998 to better understand the effects of combined sewer overflows and wastewater effluent on the water quality of Brush Creek and the Blue River. Compounds indicative of wastewater were targeted for study. The compounds included antioxidants used in food preparation, bisphenol A, cholesterol, 3-b coprostanol, 17-b estradiol, nonionic surfactants, disinfectants, fragrances, and selected over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Broadly, many wastewater indicator compounds have been characterized as "emerging contaminants", primarily because only recently have sampling methodologies and analytical techniques become available to quantify these contaminants in environmental samples. A number of these compounds, notably bisphenol A, 17-b estradiol, and nonionic surfactants are known, or suspected, agents of endocrine disruption in aquatic environments. Some disinfectants, such as the antimicrobial agent triclosan, are suspected of causing bacterial resistance. The presence of human drugs in aquatic environments may be seen as a potential indicator of the adverse impacts of humans on the environment. Many human drugs are administered in high doses, may pass through the body with little, or no degradation, and once released into the environment may be readily assimilated by other organisms.
Picture 1. Blue River at Bannister Road
Picture 2. Blue River at Blue Ridge Blvd. Extension
View a slide show about the project
Effects of Combined Sewer Overflows and Wastewater Effluent on Water Quality the Blue River Basin (PDF File Size 1.94 MB)
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To learn more about the USGS national reconnaissance of emerging contaminants :
http://toxics.usgs.gov/regional/emc.html
To learn more about research related to pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment:
http://www.epa.gov/esd/chemistry/pharma/index.htm
To learn more about endocrine disrupters in the environment:
http://www1.omi.tulane.edu/ecme/eehome/
To learn more about educational and community partnership groups working in the study area contact:
Blue River Watershed
Association
Brush Creek Community
Partners
Missouri
Department of Conservation Discovery Center
Don Wilkison
U.S. Geological Survey
401 NW Capital Drive
Lee's Summit, Missouri 64086
PHONE: (816) 554-3489
FAX: (816) 554-9273
E-MAIL: wilkison@usgs.gov
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer: Rita Choate, Webmaster
Updated: August 29, 2003
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URL: http://missouri.usgs.gov/indep/wilkison/cso/index.htm
