scholarly journals Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for Imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mechthild Anthe ◽  
Beatrice Valles-Ebeling ◽  
Jan Achtenhagen ◽  
Martina Arenz-Leufen ◽  
Jackie Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Veterinary Medicinal Products

Abstract Background Imidacloprid is an active ingredient included in plant protection, biocidal and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs). VMPs containing Imidacloprid are formulated as spot-on products or collars and designed to protect pets, predominantly dogs and cats, from parasite infestation. Monitoring data collected under the Water Framework Directive between 2016 and 2018 showed detectable and varying levels of Imidacloprid in the UK surface water bodies. The aim of the work was to investigate the potential contribution of VMPs by developing a model for predicting the emissions from sewage treatment plants from the use of dog and cat spot-on and collar VMPs. Due to the absence of appropriate exposure models for VMPs, the model was built based on the principles of environmental exposure assessment for biocidal products. Results Three emission paths were considered to be the most likely routes for repeated emissions to waterways from the use of spot-on and collar VMPs, i.e., transfer to pet bedding followed by washing, washing/bathing of dogs, and walking dogs in the rain. The developed model was used to calculate the Imidacloprid concentrations in surface water after discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Realistic worst-case input parameters were deduced from sales and survey data and experimental studies. Modelled total concentrations in surface water for each pathway ranged from 0.84 to 4.8 ng/L. The calculated concentrations did not exceed the ecological thresholds for the most sensitive aquatic invertebrate organisms and were found to be much lower than the UK monitoring data for river water. For example, the calculated concentration from the bathing/washing of dogs was < 3% of the highest levels of Imidacloprid measured in surface waters. Conclusion In conclusion, a model has been successfully built and applied. The modelled data indicate that these VMPs make only a very small contribution to the levels of Imidacloprid observed in the UK water monitoring programme. Further, calculated concentrations do not exceed ecotoxicological threshold values indicating acceptable chronic safety to aquatic organisms.

scholarly journals Dead in the water: comment on “Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products”

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Perkins ◽  
Martin Whitehead ◽  
Dave Goulson
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Implicit Assumption ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Ecotoxicological Thresholds ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Veterinary Medicinal Products

AbstractAnthe et al. (Environ Sci Eur 32:147, 2020. 10.1186/s12302-020-00424-4) develop a mathematical model to calculate the contribution of veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) to the levels of imidacloprid observed in the UK water monitoring programme. They find that VMPs make only a very small contribution to measured pollution levels, and that the estimated concentrations do not exceed ecotoxicological thresholds. However, shortcomings in methodology—including the implicit assumption that imidacloprid applied to pets is available for release to the environment for 24 h only and failure to incorporate site-specific sewage effluent data relating to measured levels—raise questions about their conclusions. Adjusting for these and other deficiencies, we find that their model appears consistent with the conclusion that emissions from VMPs may greatly exceed ecotoxicological thresholds and contribute substantially to imidacloprid waterway pollution in the UK. However, the model utilises imidacloprid emissions fractions for animals undergoing the different scenarios (for example, bathing) that are extrapolated from unpublished studies that do not clearly resemble the modelled scenarios, with insufficient evidence provided to support their derivation. As a result, we find that the model presented by Anthe et al. provides no reliable conclusions about the contribution of veterinary medicinal products to the levels of imidacloprid in UK waterways.

scholarly journals Authors’ response on Perkins et al. (2021) “Dead in the water: comment on “Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products”

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Valles-Ebeling ◽  
Jan Achtenhagen ◽  
Jackie Atkinson ◽  
Michael Starp
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Link Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Modelling Approach ◽  
Veterinary Medicinal Products

AbstractIn 2020, Anthe et al. published a newly developed model to predict imidacloprid surface water concentrations stemming from sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent as a consequence of the use of veterinary medicinal products containing imidacloprid in the UK (Anthe in Environ Sci Eur (2020) 32:147, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020–00424-4). The modelled data indicate that these veterinary medicinal products make only a very small contribution to the levels of Imidacloprid observed in the UK water monitoring programme.The commentary by Perkins et al. (Perkins in Environ Sci Eur (2021) 33:88, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-021-00533-8) questioned the validity and conclusions of the modelling approach. We believe the modelling approach, which considered what we anticipated to be, the major exposure pathways, gives a realistic picture of the chronic emission via STPs to UK rivers.

scholarly journals Correction to: Development of an aquatic exposure assessment model for Imidacloprid in sewage treatment plant discharges arising from use of veterinary medicinal products

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mechthild Anthe ◽  
Beatrice Valles-Ebeling ◽  
Jan Achtenhagen ◽  
Martina Arenz-Leufen ◽  
Jackie Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Veterinary Medicinal Products

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

The Integrated Model Evaluation System (IMES): A Database for Evaluation of Exposure Assessment Models

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Schreiner ◽  
M. Gaughan ◽  
H. L. Schultz ◽  
R. Walentowicz
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Model Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Query Systems

The USEPA Office of Health and Environmental Assessment develops methodologies for conducting exposure and risk assessments. Protocols appropriate for specific analyses have been developed to aid in the selection of an exposure assessment model and to assess the validation and uncertainties associated with models used for toxic chemical exposure assessments in surface water, groundwater, and air. A software package has been developed to provide users with a quick and intuitive tool to access information for selected models and applications based on these protocols. The Integrated Model Evaluation System (IMES) is composed of three modules: 1) Selection, query systems for selecting a model based on technical criteria (currently for surface water, non-point source, and groundwater models); 2) Validation, a database containing validation and other information on over 50 models in various media; and 3) Uncertainty, a database demonstrating uncertainty simulations for several surface water models applied to exposure assessments of several chemicals. The selection modules are linked to the uncertainty and validation modules to access information for chosen models. The PC-based software system employs pull-down menus, help screens, and graphics to display its information.

The road towards an EU-wide tiered approach assessment of pesticide concentration at drinking water abstraction locations - a combined approach of GIS analysis and modelling on catchment level

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Gebler ◽  
Tom Schröder ◽  
Shanghua Li
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Proxy Data ◽  
Water Abstraction ◽  
Crop Area ◽  
Landscape Level ◽  
The Eu

&lt;p&gt;The exposure assessment of plant protection products (PPP) at drinking water abstraction points is of growing interest for authorities, water suppliers, industry, and other stake holders and is hence particularly addressed in the EU regulatory framework (regulation 1107/2009). However, there is no generic guidance available on the derivation of drinking water abstraction concentrations in the EU. An exception is the national approach of the Netherlands, a simplistic but very solid first Tier approach, which considers edge-of-field PEC&lt;sub&gt;sw&lt;/sub&gt;, use intensity including cropping area within a drinking water catchment, application practice and dissipation in the water system amongst others.&amp;#160; The Dutch approach underlies worst-case assumptions e.g. all agricultural land is connected and releases water to a water body. Our work explores the feasibility of a general tiered EU-wide approach to derive realistic PPP concentrations at drinking water abstraction points. Specifically, our goals are: (i) the characterization of EU-wide drinking water catchments, (ii) the identification of vulnerable catchments based on agricultural area or specific crops, (iii) to enable substance specific modelling for agricultural area/crop using a landscape-level assessment model.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On this account, we analyzed the European catchments for specific crops on the basis of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The focus was on catchment characteristics (e.g. crop area, soil hydraulic properties) which have a strong impact on runoff as well as drainage generation and therefore on the mixing of PPPs in surface water. In a first step, the spatial variation of the mixing factor by crop area was investigated taking into account the stream course from headwater catchment to a larger main river. In the second step, we identified typical abstraction areas for surface water and groundwater using proxy data (e.g. protection zones and other proxy data) with the aim to explore the most vulnerable combinations in the EU. These data can then be used for the definition of specific (vulnerable) scenarios regarding the mixing of PPPs in surface water for a specific crop on EU level.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is expected that these data in combination with landscape-level modelling using the Soil and Water Assessment tool (SWAT) can be used as starting point for a tiered exposure assessment to derive generic mixing factors and drinking water concentrations at abstraction locations.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals An Assessment of the potential impact of the Gothenburg Protocol on surface water chemistry using the dynamic MAGIC model at acid sensitive sites in the UK

2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Jenkins ◽  
J. M. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Nitrogen Leaching ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Emission Reductions ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Surface Water Chemistry ◽  
Acid Neutralising Capacity ◽  
Magic Model ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Gothenburg Protocol

Abstract. The MAGIC model has been systematically calibrated to 12 sites in the UK, which form part of the UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network, using best available data. The model successfully simulates observed changes in major ions and acid neutralising capacity over the period 1988 to 2000. Predictions for the future are made assuming no further emission reductions from present day (constant deposition at current level) compared to reduced sulphur and nitrogen emission agreed under the Gothenburg Protocol (reduced sulphur dioxide emission by c.80%, nitrogen oxides by c.45% and ammonia by 20% by 2010). In addition, uncertainty in our understanding of future nitrogen dynamics is assessed using "best" and "worst" cases of nitrogen leaching in the model. The results clearly indicate the need to achieve further emission reductions in sulphur and nitrogen beyond present day levels to prevent continued surface water acidification. The predictions further indicate that if the emission reductions agreed under the Gothenburg Protocol are achieved by 2010 this will promote a recovery in acid neutralising capacity by 2020 at all sites. Differences between "best" and "worst" case nitrate leaching are relatively small, emphasising the need to achieve the sulphur reductions in the shorter term. In the longer term, beyond 2020, increased nitrogen leaching under the "worst case" leading to further acidification is likely indicating a need for further reduction of nitrogen emissions. Keywords: acidification, recovery, model, Gothenburg Protocol, nitrogen

The exposure assessment for veterinary medicinal products

1999 ◽  
Vol 225 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 119-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H.M.M. Montforts ◽  
Dennis F. Kalf ◽  
Peter L.A. van Vlaardingen ◽  
Jan B.H.J. Linders
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Veterinary Medicinal Products

Institutional developments, standards and river quality: a UK history and some lessons for industrialising countries

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. M. Johnstone ◽  
N. J. Horan
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Process Manufacturing ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Developed World

From the middle ages until the early part of the nineteenth century the streets of European cities were foul with excrement and filth to the extent that aristocrats often held a clove-studded orange to their nostrils in order to tolerate the atmosphere. The introduction in about 1800 of water-carriage systems of sewage disposal merely transferred the filth from the streets to the rivers. The problem was intensified in Britain by the coming of the Industrial Revolution and establishment of factories on the banks of the rivers where water was freely available for power, process manufacturing and the disposal of effluents. As a consequence the quality of most rivers deteriorated to the extent that they were unable to support fish life and in many cases were little more than open sewers. This was followed by a period of slow recovery, such that today most of these rivers have been cleaned with many having good fish stocks and some even supporting salmon. This recovery has not been easy nor has it been cheap. It has been based on the application of good engineering supported by the passing and enforcement of necessary legislation and the development of suitable institutional capacity to finance, design, construct, maintain and operate the required sewerage and sewage treatment systems. Such institutional and technical systems not only include the disposal of domestic sewage but also provisions for the treatment and disposal of industrial wastewaters and for the integrated management of river systems. Over the years a number of institutional arrangements and models have been tried, some successful other less so. Although there is no universally applicable approach to improving the aquatic environment, many of the experiences encountered by the so-called developed world can be learned by developing nations currently attempting to rectify their own aquatic pollution problems. Some of these lessons have already been discussed by the authors including some dangers of copying standards from the developed world. The objective of this paper is to trace the steps taken over many years in the UK to develop methods and systems to protect and preserve the aquatic environment and from the lessons learned to highlight what is considered to be an appropriate and sustainable approach for industrialising nations. Such an approach involves setting of realistic and attainable standards, providing appropriate and affordable treatment to meet these standards, establishment of the necessary regulatory framework to ensure enforcement of the standards and provision of the necessary financial capabilities to guarantee successful and continued operation of treatment facilities.

Reed bed treatment systems for sewage treatment in the United Kingdom - the first 10 years’ experience

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Cooper ◽  
B. Green
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Water Industry ◽  
Soil Systems ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Flow Systems ◽  
Group A ◽  
Reed Bed ◽  
The Uk

The UK Water Industry first became interested in Reed Bed Treatment Systems for sewage in 1985. Early problems were experienced with soil-based horizontal-flow systems of the Root Zone type. The problems were overcome by national co-ordination of a development programme and international co-operation by an EC Expert Contact Group. A number of different types of systems have now been developed and the systems are now being accepted. The paper reviews the development of these systems for secondary and tertiary treatment and nitrification and mentions development of systems for other forms of treatment. The design changes made to overcome the problems are described. These include the gradual move to the use of gravel-based systems because of the difficulty experienced with over-land flow in the soil systems. The sizing of the systems is described together with performance data for the original horizontal-flow and the more recently developed vertical-flow systems. Treatment at secondary and tertiary levels is illustrated and the potential for nitrification. Early problems with reed growth have been overcome by planting with port-grown seedlings. After 10 years the process is generally accepted by the Water Industry as an appropriate treatment for villages and there are now between 200 and 300 systems in operation.

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