The presence of triclosan, a widely-used antibacterial chemical, is currently unknown in higher trophic-level species such as marine mammals. Blood plasma collected from wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Charleston, SC (CHS) (n = 13) and Indian River Lagoon, FL (IRL) (n = 13) in 2005 was analyzed for triclosan. Plasma concentrations in CHS dolphins ranged from 0.12 to 0.27 ng/g wet weight (mean 0.18 ng/g), with 31% of the sampled individuals having detectable triclosan. The mean IRL dolphin plasma concentrations were 0.072 ng/g wet weight (range 0.025-0.11 ng/g); 23% of the samples having detectable triclosan. In the CHS area, triclosan effluent values from two WWTP were both 190 ng/L and primary influents were 2800 ng/L and 3400 ng/L. Triclosan values in CHS estuarine surface water samples averaged 7.5 ng/L (n = 18) ranging from 4.9 to 14 ng/L. This is the first study to report bioaccumulation of anthropogenic triclosan in a marine mammal highlighting the need for further monitoring and assessment. Triclosan in bottlenose dolphin plasma and their environment.

This study investigates the persistence of Triclosan (TCS), and its degradation product, Methyltriclosan (MeTCS), after land application of biosolids to an experimental agricultural plot under both till and no till. Surface soil samples (n = 40) were collected several times over a three years period and sieved to remove biosolids. Concentration of TCS in the soil gradually increased with maximum levels of 63.7 ± 14.1 ng g⁻¹ dry wt., far below the predicted maximum concentration of 307.5 ng g⁻¹ dry wt. TCS disappearance corresponded with MeTCS appearance, suggesting in situ formation. Our results suggest that soil incorporation and degradation processes are taking place simultaneously and that TCS background levels are achieved within two years. TCS half-life (t₀.₅) was determined as 104 d and MeTCS t₀.₅, which was more persistent than TCS, was estimated at 443 d.

Bacteria of genus Vibrio with multidrug resistance in shrimp farm environment were recurrent. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profile of 70 strains of Vibrio isolated from water and sediment of Acaraú estuary, Ceará, Brazil. In order to achieve this goal, disk diffusion technique was used with the following antimicrobial agents: ampicillin (Amp), aztreonam (Atm), cephalothin (Cef), cefotaxime (Ctx), ceftriaxone (Cro), ciprofloxacin (Cip), chloramphenicol (Clo), florfenicol (Flo), nitrofurantoin (Nit), gentamicin (Gen), oxytetracycline (Otc), tetracycline (Tet), streptomycin (Str), nalidixic acid (Nal), and sulfazotrim (Sut). All Vibrio strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, being verified as 17 multidrug-resistant profiles. All strains resistant to Otc and Tet were characterized to exhibit plasmidial resistance. Therefore, Vibrio strains from Acaraú estuary pose a risk to public health and aquatic culture.

While interest in and adoption of graywater reuse for irrigation has rapidly grown in recent years, little is known about the long-term effects of graywater irrigation. Concerns exist in relation to the presence of pathogenic organisms, fate of personal care products, and accumulation of salts. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the long-term effects of graywater irrigation to soil quality under real conditions where homeowners may not always apply graywater in a highly controlled manner. Four households from different climatic and geological conditions were selected for sampling (AZ, CA, CO, and TX) where graywater was applied for irrigation for a minimum of 5 years. Soil samples were collected in areas irrigated with graywater and areas irrigated with freshwater within the same yard. Soil cores were taken at depths of 0–15, 15–30, and 30–100 cm and analyzed separately for surfactants, antimicrobials, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity (EC), extractable boron, fecal indicator organisms (E. coli, enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens), and soil dehydrogenase activity. In surface soil samples (0–15 cm), the average total surfactant concentration (over all sites) was higher in graywater-irrigated soil (0.078 ± 0.033) compared to freshwater-irrigated soil (0.030 ± 0.025 mg kg⁻¹). This difference was not found to be significant (P > 0.05). Triclosan and triclocarban were detected in surface soil samples at some locations (3.8–6.3 and 3.5–9.1 μg kg⁻¹, respectively), but not in samples deeper than 15 cm. Among the sampling locations, the TX household appeared to be most impacted by graywater, as evidenced by elevated SAR, potentially toxic levels of B, and relatively high numbers of E. coli and enterococci due to 30 years of graywater application for irrigation.

To assess possible adverse effects of residual chlorines from hypochlorite-treated seawater to non-target marine organisms, bioassays were carried out on marine amphipod Hyale barbicornis and estuarine fish Oryzias javanicus. Acute toxicity tests were first conducted using various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) followed by a long-term exposure to residual chlorines from a test water treated with 1 mg L⁻¹ NaOCl. Results showed that NaOCl was acutely toxic to both organisms. However, long-term exposure to residual chlorines from NaOCl-treated waters caused no major adverse effects to both organisms under laboratory conditions since free chlorines in the treated water was reduced to about 10% by 23-h holding and 1-h aeration. No H. barbicornis died but residual chlorine-exposed juveniles had significantly shorter body lengths at the end of exposure. Residual chlorine-exposed O. javanicus also showed no significant differences to that of the control in all measured endpoints except for hatching time. The results suggest that using 1 mg L⁻¹ NaOCl for disinfection of ballast waters will produce residual chlorines that is far below the LC50 and EC50 of H. barbicornis and O. javanicus even on a long-term basis.

Commonly used in personal care products, triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS) are two chemicals with antimicrobial properties that have recently been recognized as environmental contaminants with the potential to adversely affect human health. The objective of the study described herein was to evaluate the potential of food crops to uptake TCC and TCS. Eleven food crops, grown in hydroponic nutrient media, were exposed to a mixture of 500 μg L⁻¹TCC and TCS. After 4 weeks of exposure, roots accumulated 86–1,350 mg kg⁻¹of antimicrobials and shoots had accumulated 0.33–5.35 mg kg⁻¹of antimicrobials. Translocation from roots to shoots was less than 1.9 % for TCC and 3.7 % for TCS, with the greatest translocation for TCC observed for pepper, celery, and asparagus and for TCS observed for cabbage, broccoli, and asparagus. For edible tuber- or bulb-producing crops, the concentrations of both TCC and TCS were lower in the tubers than in the roots. Exposure calculations using national consumption data indicated that the average exposure to TCC and TCS from eating contaminated crops was substantially less than the exposure expected to cause adverse effects, but exceeded the predicted exposure from drinking water. Exposure to antimicrobials through food crops would be substantially reduced through limiting consumption of beets and onions.