Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic 

Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in 

Northern Arkansas, 2004

Prepared in cooperation with the

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS and the

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5140
Front Cover: Photograph of water-quality sampling site on Mud Creek at Township Road,

Fayetteville, Arkansas. Photograph by Joel M. Galloway, U.S. Geological Survey.
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other 

Organic Wastewater Constituents in 

Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 

2004

By Joel M. Galloway, U.S. Geological Survey; Brian E. Haggard, U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; Michael T. Meyers, and W. Reed 

Green, U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Prepared in cooperation with the

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS and the

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5140
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

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Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.
Contents

 iii

Abstract...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose and Scope ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Description of Study Areas ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Methods ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents.......................................................................... 4

Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24

Figures

1. Map showing study area with water-quality sampling site locations in northern Arkansas.......................................... 2

2. Graph showing summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected from

selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004 ............................................................................................................................... 4

3. Graph showing detection frequencies of 42 pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents

found at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004 ............................................................................................................. 21

Tables

1. Stream sites sampled for pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents in northern

Arkansas, 2004............................................................................................................................................................................. 3

2. Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents targeted by chemical analyses of water

samples collected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004......................................................................................... 5

3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in

northern Arkansas, 2004 ............................................................................................................................................................. 9

4. Physical properties measured at selected sites associated with the collection of water-quality samples in

northern Arkansas, 2004 ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
iv 

Conversion Factors and Datum

Multiply By To obtain

Length

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F = (1.8 x °C) + 32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C = (°F-32)/1.8
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic 

Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern 

Arkansas, 2004

By Joel M. Galloway1, Brian E. Haggard2, Michael T. Meyers1, and W. Reed Green1

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the University of Arkansas and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Agricultural Research Service, collected data in 2004 to determine the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and other organic 

wastewater constituents, including many constituents of emerging environmental concern, in selected streams in northern 

Arkansas. Samples were collected in March and April 2004 

from 17 sites located upstream and downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent discharges on 7 streams in northwestern Arkansas and at 1 stream site in a relatively undeveloped basin in north-central Arkansas. Additional samples were 

collected at three of the sites in August 2004. The targeted 

organic wastewater constituents and sample sites were selected 

because wastewater-treatment plant effluent discharge provides 

a potential point source of these constituents and analytical 

techniques have improved to accurately measure small amounts 

of these constituents in environmental samples.

At least 1 of the 108 pharmaceutical or other organic 

wastewater constituents was detected at all sites in 2004, except 

at Spavinaw Creek near Maysville, Arkansas. The number of 

detections generally was greater at sites downstream from 

municipal wastewater-treatment plant effluent discharges 

(mean = 14) compared to sites not influenced by wastewatertreatment plants (mean = 3). Overall, 42 of the 108 constituents 

targeted in the collected water-quality samples were detected. 

The most frequently detected constituents included caffeine, 

phenol, para-cresol, and acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro naphthalene.

Introduction

Northwestern Arkansas is one of the fastest growing urban 

areas in the United States while at the same time it is one of the 

most productive poultry areas in the Nation. As a result, the 

water quality of northwestern Arkansas streams has become the 

focus of environmental concern. Public and government concern about point and nonpoint source contributions of nutrients 

and other constituents to surface and ground waters has elevated 

to a point where legislation is being passed to establish numeric 

stream nutrient criteria, and lawsuits have been filed against the 

poultry industry and municipal wastewater-treatment plant 

(WWTP) effluent dischargers. Water-quality concerns in northwestern Arkansas mainly relate to nutrient enrichment and sediment. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(USEPA) recently added 27 streams in northwestern Arkansas 

to the list of impaired water bodies because of increased nutrient 

and sediment concentrations (Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, 2005). However, nationwide attention also has 

focused on the occurrence of organic wastewater constituents 

(OWCs) in surface and ground water. Kolpin and others (2002) 

conducted a nationwide reconnaissance of 95 antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other OWCs in streams and 

detected 82 constituents measured at numerous sites. OWCs 

were found in 80 percent of the streams sampled. However, little is known about the occurrence, extent, transport, and fate of 

many synthetic organic chemicals after their intended use, particularly hormonally active chemicals and antibiotics. Until 

recently, there have been few analytical methods capable of 

detecting these constituents at low concentrations that might be 

present in the environment. The development of these analytical 

methods has resulted in several new studies addressing the 

occurrence, fate, and transport of OWCs in the aquatic environment (Andreozzi and others, 2004; Barnes and others, 2004; 

Kolpin and others, 2004). Potential concerns related to the environmental presence of these constituents include abnormal 

physiological processes and reproductive impairment, 

increased incidences of cancer, the development of antibioticresistant bacteria and plasmid transfer, and the potential 

increased toxicity and carcinogenic activity of these chemicals 

and chemical mixtures.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with 

the University of Arkansas and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service collected data in 2004 to 

determine the occurrence and extent of pharmaceuticals and 

other OWCs in streams in northern Arkansas, especially those 

receiving WWTP effluent discharge. These constituents potentially are associated with human, industrial, and agricultural 

wastewaters and the use of prescription and nonprescription 

1

U.S. Geological Survey.

2

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.
2 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

drugs, steroids, reproductive hormones, and personal care products. Some of the constituents are found in poultry manure, 

which is often applied to pastures as an organic fertilizer in 

northern Arkansas. 

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to describe the occurrence of 

pharmaceuticals and other OWC’s, including many constituents 

of emerging environmental concern, in selected streams in 

northern Arkansas. This report presents the occurrence of 108 

OWCs and is focused on sites upstream and downstream from 

WWTP effluent discharges in the selected streams. Samples 

were collected in March and April 2004 from 17 sites located 

upstream and downstream from WWTP effluent discharges on 

7 streams in northwestern Arkansas and at 1 stream site in a relatively undeveloped basin in north-central Arkansas. Samples 

also were collected again in August 2004 at three sites on one 

stream in northwestern Arkansas. The targeted OWCs and sample sites were selected because WWTP effluent discharge provides a potential point source of these constituents, and analytical techniques have improved to accurately measure small 

amounts of these constituents in environmental samples.

Description of Study Areas

Samples were collected from sites within two study areas 

in northern Arkansas (fig. 1; table 1). One study area includes 

streams in Benton and Washington Counties in northwestern 

Arkansas. The other study area is the North Sylamore Creek 

Basin in north-central Arkansas.

Northwestern Arkansas is one of the more densely populated areas of Arkansas. It also is one of the fastest growing 

urban areas in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). 

The largest cities in the area are Fayetteville (62,078 people), 

Springdale (52,471 people), Rogers (42,795 people), and Bentonville (26,397 people) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). 

Land use in the northwestern Arkansas study area generally consists of a mixture of urban, pasture, and forest. For 

example, the Illinois River Basin upstream from the ArkansasOklahoma State line, which includes Mud Creek, Spring Creek, 

and Osage Creek, is approximately 7 percent urban land, 29 percent forested, and 63 percent agricultural (mostly pasture) land. 

The Spavinaw Creek Basin upstream from the Arkansas-Oklahoma State line drains a pasture dominated watershed with a 

high density of poultry farms. Arkansas is the second largest 

producer of poultry in the Nation and Benton and Washington 

Counties produce approximately 20 percent of the poultry in the 

State (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005). 

Figure 1. Study areas with water-quality sampling site locations.

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Methods 3

Table 1. Stream sites sampled for pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents in northern Arkansas, 2004.

[WWTP, wastewater-treatment plant]

Map

identification

number

(fig. 1)

Station

identification

number Station name Relation to wastewater-treatment plant discharges

1 07048600 White River near Fayetteville Upstream from city of Fayetteville WWTP discharge

2 07048700 White River near Goshen Downstream from city of Fayetteville WWTP discharge

3 07060710 North Sylamore Creek near Fifty-Six U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Benchmark Network site, representative of an undeveloped basin

4 362016094280500 Decatur Branch at Decatur Upstream from city of Decatur WWTP discharge

5 362030094300400 Decatur Branch near Maysville Downstream from city of Decatur WWTP discharge

6 07191160 Spavinaw Creek near Maysville Upstream from city of Decatur WWTP discharge 

7 07191179 Spavinaw Creek near Cherokee City Downstream from city of Decatur WWTP discharge

8 360516094063400 Mud Creek south of Highway 45 at Fayetteville Upstream from city of Fayetteville WWTP discharge

9 360538094065500 Mud Creek at Township Road at Fayetteville Downstream from city of Fayetteville WWTP discharge

10 360619094071200 Mud Creek at Old Wire Road at Fayetteville Downstream from city of Fayetteville WWTP discharge

11 361248094094200 Spring Creek at Silent Grove Road near Springdale Upstream from city of Springdale WWTP discharge

12 361301094102400 Spring Creek at North 40th Street near Springdale Downstream from city of Springdale WWTP discharge

13 361438094141900 Spring Creek at Highway 112 near Cave Springs Downstream from city of Springdale WWTP discharge

14 361823094122700 Osage Creek near County Road 51 near Rogers Upstream from city of Rogers WWTP discharge

15 07194880 Osage Creek near Cave Springs Downstream from city of Rogers WWTP discharge

16 361556094141600 Osage Creek at Highway 264 at Cave Springs Downstream from city of Rogers WWTP discharge

17 07195000 Osage Creek near Elm Springs Downstream from city of Rogers WWTP discharge

18 07195430 Illinois River south of Siloam Springs Downstream from numerous WWTP discharges in the 

basin

Land use in the North Sylamore Creek Basin (58.1 square 

miles) is nearly 99 percent forested. A USGS streamflow and 

water-quality station on North Sylamore Creek near Fifty-Six is 

part of the USGS Hydrologic Benchmark Network, which 

includes sites across the Nation where long-term measurements 

of streamflow and water-quality data are collected in areas that 

are minimally affected by human activities.

Methods

Water-quality samples were collected at 17 stream sites in 

northwestern Arkansas, and at 1 stream site in north-central 

Arkansas in March and April 2004. A second set of samples 

also were collected in August 2004 at the three sites on Mud 

Creek (sites 8, 9, and 10; fig. 1). Samples were collected 

upstream and downstream from the effluent discharges from the 

city of Fayetteville WWTP (Mud Creek and the White River), 

the city of Springdale WWTP (Spring Creek), the city of Rogers 

WWTP (Osage Creek), and the city of Decatur WWTP (Decatur Branch and Spavinaw Creek) (fig. 1 and table 1). Sample 

sites were selected at various distances downstream from the 

WWTPs, including the Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, 

Arkansas (site 18), which is downstream from WWTPs at the 

cities of Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale. North Sylamore 

Creek near Fifty-Six (site 3) in north-central Arkansas also was 

sampled to determine the occurrence of OWC’s at a site draining a relatively undeveloped basin.

Samples were collected and processed using protocols 

described in Wilde and others (1998a, 1998b, 1998c, 1999a, 

1999b). Water-quality samples were collected from a single 

vertical point in the stream because of well-mixed conditions, 

low velocities, and small cross-sectional areas at the streams. 

Samples were filtered at each site with a 0.7-micron pore size, 

baked glass-fiber filter and shipped to the laboratories in amber 

baked-glass bottles, chilled to 4 degrees Celsius. Physical properties (water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific 

conductance) also were measured at each site using protocols 

described in Wilde and Radke (1998). Streamflow measurements were made at each site using an acoustic Doppler current 

profiler and methods described in Rantz and others (1982). To 
4 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

minimize contamination of samples, use of personal care items, 

caffeinated products, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco were minimized during sample collection and processing.

One replicate and one blank sample were collected during 

March and April 2004 for quality control and assurance. The 

replicate sample was collected concurrently with the routine 

sample at Spavinaw Creek near Cherokee City, Arkansas (site 

7). The blank sample was processed with laboratory-grade 

organic-free blank water at Mud Creek south of Highway 45 at 

Fayetteville, Arkansas (site 8) by using the same field methods 

and equipment used to collect the environmental samples at 

each of the stream sites. A blank sample also was collected at 

the same site in August 2004.

Samples were analyzed for antibiotics and antibiotic residuals by the USGS Organic Chemistry Research Group Laboratory in Lawrence, Kansas (table 2). Samples were analyzed for 

five classes of antibiotics (beta-lactams, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines) using two on-line solidphase extraction methods and liquid chromatography/mass 

spectrometry (LC/MS). Samples were extracted for tetracyclines using a Spark-Holland glyphosate prospekt cartridge and 

the quinolone, sulfonamide, beta-lactam, and macrolide antibiotics were extracted using Waters HLB prospekt cartridges.

Samples for other pharmaceuticals and OWCs, excluding 

antibiotics, were analyzed by the USGS National Water Quality 

Laboratory in Lakewood, Colorado (table 2). The water samples were extracted at the laboratory by vacuum through disposable solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges that contain polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin. Cartridges were dried with 

nitrogen gas and then sorbed constituents were eluted with 

dichloromethane-diethyl ether. Constituent concentrations 

were determined by capillary-column gas chromatography/

mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (Zaugg and others, 2002).

Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other 

Organic Wastewater Constituents

At least one pharmaceutical or other OWC was detected at 

all sites in 2004, except at Spavinaw Creek near Maysville, 

Arkansas (site 6; fig. 2 and table 3).The number of detections at 

sites downstream from WWTP effluent discharges generally 

was greater than at sites not influenced by WWTP effluent discharges. The mean number of detections at sites upstream from 

WWTP effluent discharges was three (including the site at 

North Sylamore Creek, site 3, which is considered relatively 

undeveloped) for samples collected in March and April 2004. 

The mean number of detections at sites downstream from 

WWTP discharges was more than four times higher (14 detections). The greatest number of detections was found at Mud 

Creek (sites 9 and 10), Spring Creek (sites 12 and 13), and 

Osage Creek (sites 15, 16, and 17) at sites downstream from the 

cities of Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers WWTP effluent 

discharges, respectively. 

Figure 2. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected from selected sites in northern Arkansas, 

March and April 2004.

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Table 2. Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents targeted by chemical analyses of water samples collected at selected sites in northern Arkansa[Information from Zaugg and others, 2002; *, reporting level for samples collected August 2004; μg/L, micrograms per liter; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon]

Constituent name

Laboratory

reporting

level

(μg/L)

Constituent

group Uses or sources

1,4-Dichlorobenzene 0.5 Disinfectant Moth repellent, fumigant, deodorant1-Methylnaphthalene 0.5 Fuel 2-5 percent gasoline, diesel fuel, or crude oil2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene 0.5 Fuel Present in diesel and kerosene (trace in gasolin

2-Methylnaphthalene 0.5 Fuel 2-5 percent gasoline, diesel fuel, or crude oil3-beta-Coprostanol 2.0 Steroid Carnivore fecal indicator

3-Methyl-1H-indole (skatol) 1.0 Fragrance/flavor Fragrance, stench in feces and coal tar3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) 5.0 Antioxidant Antioxidant, general preservative

4-Cumylphenol 1.0 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metabolite4-n-Octylphenol 1.0 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metabolite

para-Nonylphenol (total) 0.5 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metabolite

4-tert-Octylphenol 0.5 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metabolite5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole 2.0 Antioxidant Antioxidant in antifreeze and deicersAnthraquinone 0.5 PAH Manufacturing dye and textiles, seed treatmentAcetophenone 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Fragrance in detergent and tobacco, flavor in b

Acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro naphthalene (AHTN) 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Musk fragrance (widespread usage) 

Anthracene 0.5 PAH Wood preservative, component of tar, diesel or 

combustion product

Benzo[a]pyrene 0.5 PAH Regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, u

research, combustion product

Benzophenone 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Fixative for perfumes and soapbeta-Sitosterol 2.0 Steroid Plant sterolbeta-Stigmastanol 2.0 Steroid Plant sterol

Bisphenol A 1.0 Plasticizer Manufacturing polycarbonate resins, antioxida

Bromacil 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Herbicide (general use pesticide), 80 percent n

Caffeine 0.5 Nonprescription drug Beverages, diuretic, very mobile and biodegrad

Camphor 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Flavor, odorant, ointmentsCarbaryl 1.0 Insect repellent/ pesticide Insecticide, crop and garden uses, low persistenCarbazole 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Insecticide, manufacturing dyes, explosives, an
Chlorpyrifos 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Insecticide, domestic pest and termite control (

as of 2001) Cholesterol 2.0 Steroid Often a fecal indicator, also a plant sterol Cotinine 0.5 Nonprescription drug Primary nicotine metabolite N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Insecticide, urban uses, mosquito repellent Diazinon 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Insecticide, greater than 40 percent nonagricult

Nonylphenol, diethoxy-(total, NPEO2) 5.0 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metabolite Octylphenol, diethoxy-(OPEO2) 1.0 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metabolited-Limonene 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Fungicide, antimicrobial, antiviral, fragrance in Octylphenol, monoethoxy -(OPEO1) 1.0 Detergent metabolite Nionic detergent metaboliteFluoranthene 0.5 PAH Component of coal tar and asphalt (only traces 

or diesel fuel), combustion product

Hexahydrohexamethyl cyclopentabenzopyran (HHCB) 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Musk fragrance (widespread usage) Indole 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Pesticide inert ingredient, fragrance in coffeeIsoborneol 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Fragrance in perfume, in disinfectantsIsophorone 0.5 Solvent Solvent for lacquer, plastic, oil, silicon, resinIsopropylbenzene (cumene) 0.5 Fuel Manufacturing phenol and acetone, fuels and p

Isoquinoline 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Flavors and fragrancesMenthol 0.5 Fragrance/flavor Cigarettes, cough drops, liniment, mouthwashMetalaxyl 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Herbicide, fungicide (general use pesticide), m

pathogens, golf and turf

Methyl salicylate 0.5 Liniment Liniment, food, beverage, ultraviolet-absorbing 

Metolachlor 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Herbicide (general use pesticide), indicator of 

Naphthalene 0.5 PAH Fumigant, moth repellent, major component (a

para-Cresol 1.0 Disinfectant Wood preservativePentachlorophenol 2.0 Insect repellent/ pesticide Herbicide, fungicide, wood preservative, termi

Phenanthrene 0.5 PAH Manufacturing explosives, component of tar, d

or crude oil, combustion product

Phenol 0.5 Disinfectant Disinfectant, manufacturing of several product

Prometon 0.5 Insect repellent/ pesticide Herbicide (noncrop only), applied prior to blac

Table 2. Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents targeted by chemical analyses of water samples collected at selected sites in northern Arkansa[Information from Zaugg and others, 2002; *, reporting level for samples collected August 2004; 

μg/L, micrograms per liter; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon]

Constituent name

Laboratory

reporting

level

(μg/L)

Constituent

group Uses or sources
Pyrene 0.5 PAH Component of tar and asphalt (only traces in g

diesel fuel), combustion product

Tetrachloroethylene 0.5 Solvent Solvent, degreaser, veterinary anthelminticBromoform 0.5 Disinfectant Wastewater ozination byproduct, military explTributyl phosphate 0.5 Fire retardant Antifoaming agent, flame retardantTriclosan 1.0 Disinfectant Disinfectant, antimicrobial (concern for acquir

microbial resistance)

Triethyl citrate (ethyl citrate) 0.5 Plasticizer Cosmetics, pharmaceuticalsTriphenyl phosphate 0.5 Plasticizer Plasticizer, resin, wax, finish, roofing paper, flTri(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate 0.5 Fire retardant Flame retardantTri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate 0.5 Fire retardant Plasticizer, flame retardant

Tri(dichloroisopropyl) phosphate 0.5 Fire retardant Flame retardantDichlorvos 1.0 Insect repellent/ pesticide Insecticide, pet collars, flies, also a degradate oAmoxicillin 0.20, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticAmpicillin 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticCefotaxine 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticCloxacillin 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticOxacillin 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticPenicillin G 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticPenicillin V 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticErythromycin 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic AntibioticAnhydro-erythromycin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Lincomycin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticOrmetoprim 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticRoxithromycin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticTrimethoprim 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticTylosin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticVirginiamycin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticCiprofloxacin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic AntibioticClinafloxacin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic

Table 2. Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents targeted by chemical analyses of water samples collected at selected sites in northern Arkansa[Information from Zaugg and others, 2002; *, reporting level for samples collected August 2004; 

μg/L, micrograms per liter; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon]

Constituent name

Laboratory

reporting

level

(μg/L)

Constituent

group Uses or sources
Flumequine 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Lomefloxacin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Norfloxacin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Ofloxacin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Oxolinic acid 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sarfloxacin 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sulfachloropyridazine 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sulfadiazine 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sulfadimethoxine 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Saulfamerazine 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sulfamethazine 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Sulfathiazole 0.05, 0.005* Antibiotic Antibiotic Chlorotetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic Anhydro-chlorotetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Epi-anhydro-chlorotetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Epi-chlorotetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Iso-chlorotetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Iso-epi-chlorotetracyline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Demeclocycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic Doxycycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic Minocycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic Oxytetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic Epi-oxytetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Tetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic Anhydro-tetracycline 0.10, 0.01* Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Epi-anhydro-tetracycline 0.10 Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Epi-tetracycline 0.10 Antibiotic Antibiotic degradation byproduct Table 2. Pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents targeted by chemical analyses of water samples collected at selected sites in northern Arkansa

[Information from Zaugg and others, 2002; *, reporting level for samples collected August 2004; 

μg/L, micrograms per liter; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon]

Constituent name

Laboratory

reporting

level

(μg/L)

Constituent

group Uses or sources
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 9

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge;--, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(1)

White

River near

Fayetteville

(4/05/04)

(2)

White River

near Goshen

(4/05/04)

(3)

North

Sylamore

Creek near

Fifty Six

(3/29/04)

(4)

Decatur

Branch at

Decatur

(4/06/04)

(5)

Decatur

Branch near

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(6)

Spavinaw

Creek near 

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(7)

Spavinaw Creek

near Cherokee

City 

(4/06/04)

1,4-Dichlorobenzene <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50 <0.50

1-Methylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

2-Methylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

3-beta-Coprostanol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

3-Methyl-1H-indole (skatol) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0

4-Cumylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

4-n-Octylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

para-Nonylphenol (total) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0

4-tert-Octylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Anthraquinone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Acetophenone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro

naphthalene (AHTN)

<.50 <.50 E.008 <.50 E.057 <.50 <.50

Anthracene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Benzo[a]pyrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Benzophenone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

beta-Sitosterol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

beta-Stigmastanol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Bisphenol A <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Bromacil <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Caffeine <.50 <.50 E.034 .88 E.15 <.50 <.50

Camphor <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Carbaryl <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Carbazole <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50
10 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

Chlorpyrifos <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Cholesterol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Cotinine <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Diazinon <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Nonylphenol, diethoxy-(total, NPEO2) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0

Octylphenol, diethoxy-(OPEO2) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

d-Limonene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Octylphenol, monoethoxy -(OPEO1) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Fluoranthene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Hexahydrohexamethyl

cyclopentabenzopyran (HHCB)

<.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 E.058 <.50 <.50

Indole <.50 <.50 <.50 E.024 E.026 <.50 <.50

Isoborneol <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isophorone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isopropylbenzene (cumene) <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isoquinoline <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Menthol <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Metalaxyl <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Methyl salicylate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Metolachlor <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Naphthalene E.020 E.016 <.50 E.018 <.50 <.50 <.50

para-Cresol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.075 E.150 <1.0 E.031

Pentachlorophenol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Phenanthrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Phenol .73 E.24 .71 E.20 E.14 <.5 .65

Prometon <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Pyrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge;--, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(1)

White

River near

Fayetteville

(4/05/04)

(2)

White River

near Goshen

(4/05/04)

(3)

North

Sylamore

Creek near

Fifty Six

(3/29/04)

(4)

Decatur

Branch at

Decatur

(4/06/04)

(5)

Decatur

Branch near

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(6)

Spavinaw

Creek near 

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(7)

Spavinaw Creek

near Cherokee

City 

(4/06/04)
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 11

Tetrachloroethylene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Bromoform <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 E.012

Tributyl phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Triclosan <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Triethyl citrate (ethyl citrate) <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Triphenyl phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tri(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tri(dichloroisopropyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Dichlorvos <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Amoxicillin <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20

Ampicillin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Cefotaxine <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Cloxacillin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Oxacillin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Penicillin G <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Penicillin V <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Erythromycin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Anhydro-erythromycin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Lincomycin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Ormetoprim <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Roxithromycin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Trimethoprim <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Tylosin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Virginiamycin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Ciprofloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Clinafloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge;--, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(1)

White

River near

Fayetteville

(4/05/04)

(2)

White River

near Goshen

(4/05/04)

(3)

North

Sylamore

Creek near

Fifty Six

(3/29/04)

(4)

Decatur

Branch at

Decatur

(4/06/04)

(5)

Decatur

Branch near

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(6)

Spavinaw

Creek near 

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(7)

Spavinaw Creek

near Cherokee

City 

(4/06/04)
12 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

Flumequine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Lomefloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Norfloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Ofloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Oxolinic acid <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sarfloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfachloropyridazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfadiazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfadimethoxine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfamerazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfamethazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfamethoxazole <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfathiazole <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Anhydro-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-anhydro-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Iso-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Iso-epi-chlorotetracyline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Demeclocycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Doxycycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Minocycline <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20

Oxytetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-oxytetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Anhydro-tetracycline <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20

Epi-anhydro-tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge;--, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(1)

White

River near

Fayetteville

(4/05/04)

(2)

White River

near Goshen

(4/05/04)

(3)

North

Sylamore

Creek near

Fifty Six

(3/29/04)

(4)

Decatur

Branch at

Decatur

(4/06/04)

(5)

Decatur

Branch near

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(6)

Spavinaw

Creek near 

Maysville

(4/06/04)

(7)

Spavinaw Creek

near Cherokee

City 

(4/06/04)
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 13

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(7)

Spavinaw

Creek

near

Cherokee

City

(4/06/04)*

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

1,4-Dichlorobenzene <.50 <.50 <.50 E.081 E.027 <.50 <.50

1-Methylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

2-Methylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

3-beta-Coprostanol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 E.32 E.74 E.24

3-Methyl-1H-indole (skatol) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.091 <1.0 E.044

3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0

4-Cumylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

4-n-Octylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

para-Nonylphenol (total) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 E1.0 <5.0 E.85 <5.0

4-tert-Octylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.18 <1.0 E.14

5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 E.76 <2.0 E.62

Anthraquinone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Acetophenone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro

naphthalene (AHTN)

<.50 <.50 <.50 1.3 .90 .92 .71

Anthracene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Benzo[a]pyrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Benzophenone <.50 <.50 <.50 E.16 E.15 E.12 E.13

beta-Sitosterol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

beta-Stigmastanol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 E.87 <2.0

Bisphenol A <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Bromacil <.50 <.50 <.50 .79 <.50 .75 <.50

Caffeine <.50 E.038 <.50 E.073 E.055 E.085 E.059

Camphor <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Carbaryl <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.076 <1.0 E.070

Carbazole <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Chlorpyrifos <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50
14 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

Cholesterol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 E.64 E.97 E.54

Cotinine <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.052 <1.0 E.048 <1.0

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) <.50 <.50 E.069 E.019 E.078 E.018 E.083

Diazinon <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 E.034 <.50

Nonylphenol, diethoxy-(total, NPEO2) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 E3.6 E3.2 E4.4 E2.6

Octylphenol, diethoxy-(OPEO2) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.68 E.22 E.45

d-Limonene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Octylphenol, monoethoxy -(OPEO1) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E1.10 <1.0 E.900

Fluoranthene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Hexahydrohexamethyl

cyclopentabenzopyran (HHCB)

<.50 <.50 <.50 E.220 E.190 E.150 E.170

Indole <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isoborneol <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isophorone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isopropylbenzene (cumene) <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isoquinoline <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Menthol <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Metalaxyl <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Methyl salicylate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Metolachlor <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Naphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

para-Cresol E.035 E.068 <1.0 E.052 E.094 E.051 E.035

Pentachlorophenol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Phenanthrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Phenol E.17 E.18 E.20 <.50 E.37 <.50 E.18

Prometon <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Pyrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tetrachloroethylene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Bromoform <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(7)

Spavinaw

Creek

near

Cherokee

City

(4/06/04)*

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 15

Tributyl phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 E.29 .56 E.23 E.46

Triclosan <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.13 E.25 E.12 E.20

Triethyl citrate (ethyl citrate) <.50 <.50 <.50 E.26 E.26 E.22 E.24

Triphenyl phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 E.057 E.063 E.034 E.051

Tri(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 E.42 .69 E.34 .70

Tri(dichloroisopropyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 E.20 E.40 E.20 E.40

Dichlorvos <1.0 <1.0 -- <1.0 -- <1.0 --

Amoxicillin <.20 <.20 <.01 <.20 <.01 <.20 <.01

Ampicillin <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Cefotaxine <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Cloxacillin <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Oxacillin <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Penicillin G <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Penicillin V <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Erythromycin <.10 <.10 <.005 <.10 .175 <.10 .154

Anhydro-erythromycin <.05 <.05 <.005 .20 1.21 .14 .962

Lincomycin <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Ormetoprim <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Roxithromycin <.10 <.10 <.005 <.10 <.005 <.10 <.005

Trimethoprim <.05 <.05 <.005 .19 .058 .15 .045

Tylosin <.10 <.10 <.005 <.10 .012 <.10 .008

Virginiamycin <.10 <.10 <.005 <.10 <.005 <.10 <.005

Ciprofloxacin <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 .039 <.05 .027

Clinafloxacin <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Flumequine <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Lomefloxacin <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Norfloxacin <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(7)

Spavinaw

Creek

near

Cherokee

City

(4/06/04)*

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)
16 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

Ofloxacin <.05 <.05 <.005 .10 .109 .10 .094

Oxolinic acid <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Sarfloxacin <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Sulfachloropyridazine <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Sulfadiazine <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Sulfadimethoxine <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 E.003 <.05 E.004

Sulfamerazine <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Sulfamethazine <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Sulfamethoxazole <.05 <.05 <.005 .500 .196 .42 .302

Sulfathiazole <.05 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005 <.05 <.005

Chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Anhydro-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Epi-anhydro-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Epi-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Iso-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Iso-epi-chlorotetracyline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Demeclocycline <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Doxycycline <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Minocycline <.20 <.20 <.01 <.20 <.01 <.20 <.01

Oxytetracycline <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Epi-oxytetracycline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01 <.10 <.01

Anhydro-tetracycline <.20 <.20 <.01 <.20 <.01 <.20 <.01

Epi-anhydro-tetracycline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Epi-tetracycline <.10 <.10 -- <.10 -- <.10 --

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(7)

Spavinaw

Creek

near

Cherokee

City

(4/06/04)*

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(8)

Mud Creek

south of

Hwy 45 at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(9)

Mud Creek

at Township

Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(3/30/04)

(10)

Mud Creek

at Old

Wire Road at

Fayetteville

(8/16/04)
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 17

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(11)

Spring

Creek at

Silent Grove

Road near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(12)

Spring

Creek at

North 40th

St near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(13)

Spring

Creek

at Hwy 112

near

Cave Springs

(3/30/04)

(14)

Osage

Creek 

near Road

51 near

Rogers

(3/31/04)

(15)

Osage

Creek

near

Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(16)

Osage

Creek at

Hwy 264

at Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(17)

Osage

Creek

near Elm

Springs

(3/31/04)

(18)

Illinois

River

south of

Siloam

Springs

(4/05/04)

1,4-Dichlorobenzene <.50 E.098 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

1-Methylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

2-Methylnaphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

3-beta-Coprostanol <2.0 E1.5 E.81 <2.0 E.82 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

3-Methyl-1H-indole (skatol) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

3-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0

4-Cumylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

4-n-Octylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

para-Nonylphenol (total) <5.0 E1.2 <5.0 <5.0 E.68 E.51 E.64 <5.0

4-tert-Octylphenol <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

5-Methyl-1H-benzotriazole <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Anthraquinone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Acetophenone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro

naphthalene (AHTN)

E.011 1.40 E.480 <.5 .50 E.330 E.220 E.030

Anthracene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Benzo[a]pyrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Benzophenone <.50 E.120 E.067 <.50 E.043 E.038 E.031 <.50

beta-Sitosterol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 E.97 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

beta-Stigmastanol <2.0 E1.6 <2.0 <2.0 E.95 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Bisphenol A <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Bromacil .65 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Caffeine E.032 E.067 E.041 E.035 E.032 E.047 E.043 E.037

Camphor <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.500 <.5

Carbaryl <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Carbazole <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Chlorpyrifos <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Cholesterol <2.0 E1.60 E1.00 <2.0 E.950 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0
18 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

Cotinine <1.0 <1.0 E.036 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) <.50 <.50 E.020 <.50 E.042 E.028 E.019 <.50

Diazinon <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Nonylphenol, diethoxy-(total, NPEO2) <5.0 E7.4 E4.1 <5.0 E3.6 <5.0 <5.0 <5.0

Octylphenol, diethoxy-(OPEO2) <1.0 E.33 E.20 <1.0 E.13 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

d-Limonene <.50 E.029 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Octylphenol, monoethoxy -(OPEO1) <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.46 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Fluoranthene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Hexahydrohexamethyl

cyclopentabenzopyran (HHCB)

<.50 E.240 E.078 <.50 E.083 E.050 E.026 <.50

Indole <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isoborneol <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isophorone <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isopropylbenzene (cumene) <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Isoquinoline <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Menthol <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Metalaxyl <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Methyl salicylate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Metolachlor <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Naphthalene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

para-Cresol E.031 E.100 E.054 <1.0 E.048 E.093 E.049 <1.0

Pentachlorophenol <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0 <2.0

Phenanthrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Phenol E.41 E.46 .99 <.50 .58 E.16 E.11 E.26

Prometon <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Pyrene <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tetrachloroethylene E.012 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Bromoform E.012 E.041 E.022 <.5 <.5 <.5 E.018 <.5

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(11)

Spring

Creek at

Silent Grove

Road near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(12)

Spring

Creek at

North 40th

St near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(13)

Spring

Creek

at Hwy 112

near

Cave Springs

(3/30/04)

(14)

Osage

Creek 

near Road

51 near

Rogers

(3/31/04)

(15)

Osage

Creek

near

Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(16)

Osage

Creek at

Hwy 264

at Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(17)

Osage

Creek

near Elm

Springs

(3/31/04)

(18)

Illinois

River

south of

Siloam

Springs

(4/05/04)
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 19

Tributyl phosphate <.50 E.100 E.062 <.50 E.048 E.040 E.031 <.50

Triclosan <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 E.062 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Triethyl citrate (ethyl citrate) <.50 E.27 E.15 <.50 E.15 E.15 E.14 <.50

Triphenyl phosphate <.50 E.044 E.021 <.50 E.014 E.012 E.009 <.50

Tri(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50 <.50

Tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate <.50 E.230 E.160 <.50 E.084 E.069 E.063 E.048

Tri(dichloroisopropyl) phosphate <.50 E.30 E.20 <.50 E.10 E.10 E.10 <.50

Dichlorvos <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0

Amoxicillin <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20

Ampicillin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Cefotaxine <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Cloxacillin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Oxacillin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Penicillin G <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Penicillin V <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Erythromycin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Anhydro-erythromycin <.05 .05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Lincomycin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Ormetoprim <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Roxithromycin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Trimethoprim <.05 E.008 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Tylosin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Virginiamycin <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Ciprofloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Clinafloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Flumequine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Lomefloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Norfloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Ofloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(11)

Spring

Creek at

Silent Grove

Road near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(12)

Spring

Creek at

North 40th

St near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(13)

Spring

Creek

at Hwy 112

near

Cave Springs

(3/30/04)

(14)

Osage

Creek 

near Road

51 near

Rogers

(3/31/04)

(15)

Osage

Creek

near

Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(16)

Osage

Creek at

Hwy 264

at Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(17)

Osage

Creek

near Elm

Springs

(3/31/04)

(18)

Illinois

River

south of

Siloam

Springs

(4/05/04)
20 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

Oxolinic acid <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sarfloxacin <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfachloropyridazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfadiazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfadimethoxine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfamerazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfamethazine <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfamethoxazole <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Sulfathiazole <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05 <.05

Chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Anhydro-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-anhydro-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Iso-chlorotetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Iso-epi-chlorotetracyline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Demeclocycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Doxycycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Minocycline <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20

Oxytetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-oxytetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Anhydro-tetracycline <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20 <.20

Epi-anhydro-tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Epi-tetracycline <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10 <.10

Table 3. Summary of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents detected at selected sites in northern Arkansas, 2004.—Continued

[Values are in micrograms per liter; <, less than; E, estimated value below laboratory reporting limit, but greater than the detection limit; *, replicate sample; bold, 

detected concentration; number in parenthesis is map identification number (fig. 1); shaded indicates site is downstream from wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

discharge; --, not reported]

Constituent name

Sampling location (sample collection date)

(11)

Spring

Creek at

Silent Grove

Road near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(12)

Spring

Creek at

North 40th

St near

Springdale

(3/30/04)

(13)

Spring

Creek

at Hwy 112

near

Cave Springs

(3/30/04)

(14)

Osage

Creek 

near Road

51 near

Rogers

(3/31/04)

(15)

Osage

Creek

near

Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(16)

Osage

Creek at

Hwy 264

at Cave

Springs

(3/31/04)

(17)

Osage

Creek

near Elm

Springs

(3/31/04)

(18)

Illinois

River

south of

Siloam

Springs

(4/05/04)
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents 21

Overall, 42 of the 108 targeted constituents in the collected 

water-quality samples were detected, and the most frequently 

detected constituents included phenol, caffeine, para-cresol, 

and acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro napthalene (AHTN) (fig. 3) 

for samples collected in March, April, and August 2004. At 

sites upstream from WWTP effluent discharges, the most common constituents found were caffeine, para-cresol, and phenol. 

These constituents are relatively mobile and widely used in 

common, everyday products. For example, caffeine is found in 

numerous beverages; phenol is used as a disinfectant in manufacturing numerous products; para-cresol is a common wood 

preservative. Phenol and para-cresol also were found in

streambed sediments at sites in northern Arkansas, southern 

Missouri, southeastern Kansas, and northeastern Oklahoma 

(Bell and others, 1997) and at relatively undisturbed sites in 

north-central Arkansas (Petersen, 1999).

Several pharmaceuticals and other OWCs were detected in 

samples collected at sites on Mud Creek in August 2004 that 

were not detected in previous samples. Recent investigations 

have focused on the occurrence of antibiotics and some degradation products in streams and benthic sediment (Hirsch and 

others, 1999). Four different antibiotics (anhydro-erythromycin, trimethoprim, oflaxacin, and sulfamethoxazole) were 

detected in the samples collected in March 2004 at Mud Creek 

downstream from the WWTP effluent discharge (sites 9 and 10; 

tables 2 and 3). At Spring Creek (sites 12 and 13), anhydroerythromycin and trimethoprim were present in detectable concentrations in the samples collected in March 2004 (tables 2 and 

3). Sites at Mud Creek also were sampled again in August 2004 

where eight different antibiotics (erythromycin, tylosin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxine, and four antibiotics previously 

detected) were found in water samples collected downstream 

from the Fayetteville WWTP (sites 9 and 10). In addition, five 

other OWCs (5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole, 4-tert-octylphenol, 

3-methyl-1H-indole, carbaryl, and octylphenol, monoethoxy) 

were detected in the August 2004 samples that were not 

Figure 3. Detection frequencies of 42 pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater constituents found at selected sites in northern Arkansas, March, 

April, and August 2004. Asterisk denotes constituents only detected in samples collected downstream from the wastewater-treatment plant effluent 

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22 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

detected in the March 2004 samples (table 3). Although 

octylphenol, monoethoxy was not detected in the samples collected at sites on Mud Creek in March 2004, it was detected at 

Osage Creek downstream from the Rogers WWTP effluent discharge (site 15). The other four OWCs were not detected at any 

of the sites in samples collected in March and April 2004. The 

increased number of detections of antibiotics may be explained 

by the decreases in laboratory detection limits of the methods 

used for the second set of samples (table 2). Although streamflow conditions were similar for the two sampling events, 

higher water temperature and lower dissolved-oxygen concentrations were measured during the second sampling event compared to the first sampling event, and may have affected the 

mobilization of certain constituents (table 4).

A replicate sample collected at Spavinaw Creek near Cherokee City (site 7) indicated good reproducibility of the laboratory results with similar concentrations for two of the three 

detected constituents (para-cresol, phenol, and bromoform). 

Bromoform was detected in one of the samples but not the 

other. However, the concentration was below the laboratory 

reporting limit and was estimated. Two field blank samples collected, one during the routine sampling period (March 2004) 

and one during a resampling event at Mud Creek south of 

Arkansas State Highway 45 at Fayetteville (site 8) (August 

2004), were compromised at the USGS National Water Quality 

Laboratory in Lakewood, Colorado, and did not yield sufficient 

results to determine the effectiveness of equipment cleaning 

procedures for the analysis of pharmaceuticals and other OWCs 

during sampling. This lack of quality assurance information 

decreases confidence in the environmental significance of 

OWC detections, especially at estimated concentrations. However, associated field blank samples sent to the USGS Organic 

Chemistry Research Group Laboratory in Lawrence, Kansas, 

for the analysis of antibiotics and antibiotic residuals did not 

yield any detections of the targeted constituents.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to describe the occurrence of 

pharmaceuticals and other OWC’s, including many constituents 

of emerging environmental concern, in selected streams in 

northern Arkansas. Samples were collected in March and April 

2004 from 17 sites located upstream and downstream from 

WWTP effluent discharges on 7 streams in northwestern 

Arkansas and at 1 site in a relatively undeveloped basin in 

north-central Arkansas. Samples also were collected again in 

August 2004 at three sites on Mud Creek. The targeted OWCs 

and sample sites were selected because WWTP effluent discharge provides a potential point source of these constituents, 

and analytical techniques have improved to accurately measure 

small amounts of these constituents in environmental samples. 

Potential concerns for the environmental presence of these constituents include abnormal physiological processes and reproductive impairment, increased incidences of cancer, the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and plasmid transfer, and 

the potential increased toxicity and carcinogenic activity of the 

chemicals and mixtures of the constituents.

At least one pharmaceutical or other OWC was detected at 

all sites in 2004, except at Spavinaw Creek near Maysville, 

Arkansas. The number of detections generally was greater at 

sites downstream from WWTP effluent discharges compared to 

sites not influenced by municipal WWTP effluent discharges. 

The mean number of detections upstream from WWTP effluent 

discharges was 3, and the mean number of detections at sites 

downstream from WWTP effluent discharges was 14. Four 

antibiotics and five other OWCs were detected in samples collected on Mud Creek in August 2004 that were not detected in 

previous samples. Overall, 42 of the 108 constituents targeted 

in the collected water-quality samples were detected in samples 

collected in March, April, and August 2004. The most frequently detected constituents included phenol, caffeine, paracresol, and acetyl hexamethyl tetrahydro naphthalene.
Table 4. Physical properties measured at selected sites associated with the collection of water-quality samples in northern Arkansas, 2004.[ft3/s, cubic feet per second; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; °C, degrees Celsius;--. no value; shaded column indicates sit

treatment plant effluent discharge]

Map

identificaton

number Station name

Date of

sample

collection

Sample

time

Discharge

(ft3/s)

Dissolved

oxygen

(mg/L)

Dissolved

oxygen,

percent ofsaturation

pH

(standard

units)

Spe

condu

(μS

1 White River near Fayetteville 4/05/2004 1045 482 9.2 93 7.4 

2 White River near Goshen 4/05/2004 1250 478 9.6 97 7.6 

3 North Sylamore Creek near Fifty-Six 3/29/2004 1410 6.00 9.7 103 7.9 24 Decatur Branch at Decatur 4/06/2004 0800 2.10 9.5 92 7.5 2

5 Decatur Branch near Maysville 4/06/2004 0930 4.70 9.9 98 7.6 4

6 Spavinaw Creek near Maysville 4/06/2004 1050 77 10.0 98 7.5 2

7 Spavinaw Creek near Cherokee City 4/06/2004 1150 82 12.3 120 8.2 2

8 Mud Creek south of Highway 45 at Fayetteville 3/30/2004 0920 0.170 8.6 88 8.0 2

8/16/2004 1055 <0.100 6.1 57 7.6 2

9 Mud Creek at Township Road at Fayetteville 3/30/2004 1030 6.20 9.9 103 8.1 6

8/16/2004 1325 6.14 7.7 94 7.8 5

10 Mud Creek at Old Wire Road at Fayetteville 3/30/2004 1215 7.90 9.8 102 8.3 6

8/16/2004 1520 5.75 7.8 95 8.0 5

11 Spring Creek at Silent Grove Road near Springdale 3/30/2004 1445 7.50 9.5 100 7.3 3

12 Spring Creek at North 40th Street near Springdale 3/30/2004 1615 27.0 9.7 105 7.6 613 Spring Creek at Highway 112 near Cave Springs 3/30/2004 1720 39.0 10.6 111 8.6 5

14 Osage Creek near County Road 51 near Rogers 3/31/2004 1050 17.0 9.2 90 7.3 2

15 Osage Creek near Cave Springs 3/31/2004 1150 39.0 10.9 110 7.8 316 Osage Creek at Highway 264 at Cave Springs 3/31/2004 1320 36.0 11.0 112 8.0 317 Osage Creek near Elm Springs 3/31/2004 1450 125 10.9 113 8.3 318 Illinois River south of Siloam Springs 4/05/2004 1525 346 11.6 121 8.1 3
24 Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Other Organic Wastewater Constituents in Selected Streams in Northern Arkansas, 2004

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