LAUSR

This project has generated a workflow based on non-target analysis (NTA) using Compound Discoverer (CD) v. 3.1 to characterize a set of source-discriminating compounds identified from water samples from locations in South Florida, particularly those describing a freshwater environment (Everglades-based), urban impacted areas (septic tank driven), and coastal (Biscayne Bay) endmembers in and around the Charles Deering Estate property in the Village of Palmetto Bay. Waters from an interconnected managed canal system were assessed to evaluate the influence of localized emissions. Septic tank effluents influence the water in many Southeast Florida environments due to their diminished onsite treatment capacity based on the limestone dominated geology and canal systems providing a relatively unobstructed connection pathway. Through a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and statistical analyses a set of tracers and indicators was determined (azelaic acid, decanophenone, galaxolidone, methyl violet, monoolein, metoprolol, and 1-stearoylglycerol). Tentatively identified compounds were generally assigned to various categories such as dyes, personal care products (PCPs), and pharmaceuticals. The NTA CD 3.1 compound data presented as Principal Component Analysis and Kendrick Mass Defect plots showed apparent differences between wastewater influenced sites and non-wastewater influenced sites along with the ranked "Top10" compounds found at each location. Waters from different locations were also compared using the presence of sucralose to further inform the NTA. The most septic influenced site contained 3,594 ± 94 ng/L of sucralose with concentrations declining steadily reaching the lowest concentrations in Biscayne Bay of 122 ± 94 ng/L. The sucralose concentrations provided further evidence of septic influence on this system. Sucralose was determined to be a conservative tracer between the freshwater and coastal sources and complimentary to other probable unique tracers of septic tank effluent identified by the NTA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.© 2022 SETAC.