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Environmental Forensics
Proceedings of the 2013 INEF Conference
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Edited by
Published on 01 July 2014 on http://pubs.rsc.org | doi:10.1039/9781782628347-FP001
Robert D Morrison
Morrison and Associates, Hawi, Hawaii 96719, USA
Email: RobertForensics@aol.com
Gwen O'Sullivan
Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Email: gosullivan@mtroyal.ca
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A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of research or private study for non-commercial
purposes, or criticism or review as permitted under the terms of the UK Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act, 1988 and the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003, this publication may
not be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior
permission in writing of The Royal Society of Chemistry or the copyright owner, or in the case
of reprographic reproduction only in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the
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by the appropriate Reproduction Rights Organization outside the UK. Enquiries concerning
reproduction outside the terms stated here should be sent to The Royal Society of Chemistry at
the address printed on this page.
The RSC is not responsible for individual opinions expressed in this work.
Printed in the United Kingdom by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY, UK
PREFACE
From June 10th to the 12th, the 3rd International Network of Environmental Forensics (INEF)
environmental forensics conference was held at the Pennsylvania State University at
University Park, Pennsylvania. The conference was attended by scientists, regulators,
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academics and consultants from throughout the world. Given the advancement and refinement
of environmental forensic techniques and the academic recognition of environmental forensics
by universities throughout the world, this conference provided a forum for individuals to share
their experiences and research in an open and collaborative forum.
Since the first INEF conference held in Qingdao, China in 2008, significant advances in the
state of the art in environmental forensics have occurred, especially in the fields of compound
specific isotope analysis (CSIA), biological and petroleum hydrocarbon pattern recognition
and the use of advanced multivariate techniques for interpreting environmental forensics data.
Of note in these proceedings is the application of environmental forensic techniques to
examine contaminant issues associated with hydrofracking which has received considerable
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As with previous publication of INEF proceedings, our intent is to memorialize and document
the evolution of environmental forensic techniques for the international scientific community.
It is our intent that the information in these proceedings provides useful information to you in
your practice and inspires you to contribute to the future advancement of environmental
forensics.
Author Biographies ix
of the Environment. He also holds adjunct professor status in the Department of Chemistry
and Chemical Biology at McMaster University. Karl is currently interested in the development
and application of sophisticated mass spectrometry and (multidimensional) chromatography
techniques capable of tackling challenging environmental analytical problems.
Glenn W. Johnson, Ph.D. Dr. Glenn Johnson’s expertise is in the
area of environmental forensics, with a particular focus on
multivariate statistical methods and sources, fate and transport of
PCBs, dioxins and furans. Dr. Johnson spent seven years in
environmental consulting with Roux Associates, Inc. (West
Deptford, New Jersey) and McLaren/Hart Environmental
Engineering, Corp (Philadelphia, PA). He has been at the Energy &
Geoscience Institute (EGI) at the University of Utah since 1995,
where he has a faculty appointment in the Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering. Dr. Johnson frequently consults, and
has served as an expert witness in a number of environmental
litigation matters involving multivariate statistics and environmental
chemistry.
x Author Biographies
also serves as a “Subject Matter Expert” of groundwater hydrogeology for the State of
California Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Dr. Lu’s experience extends
globally across petroleum refineries, terminals and pipelines, underground storage tanks, oil
fields, surface water spills, manufactured gas plants, chlorinated solvents and various other
industrial facilities. He is currently a Principal Technical Specialist of AECOM, a global
professional technical and management support service provider.
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Author Biographies xi
From 1991 until 2008, Dr. Mudge was an academic at Bangor University, School of Ocean
Sciences, UK, where he developed the world’s first undergraduate programme in
Environmental Forensics. Dr. Mudge’s research has focused on identifying the sources of
contaminants in the environment and apportioning responsibility among potential polluters.
He has tracked sewage derived materials in marine and estuarine environments and has
published several papers and book chapters on the subject (23 directly or indirectly related to
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sewage contamination). He has expanded the use of multivariate statistical methods such as
PCA and PLS in quantitative source apportionment and has contributed three papers
concerning the initial hydrocarbon source in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Dr. Mudge has
acted an expert witness for water companies in the UK in cases involving the blocking of
sewers with fats, oils, and greases. Other UK companies and agencies have used his services
in similar cases and for determining the source and fate of contaminants. He is a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Chemistry and one of the founders of the International Network of
Environmental Forensics.
Brian L. Murphy Dr. Murphy is a Principal Scientist in Exponent’s
Environmental Sciences practice. He has more than 25 years of
experience in modeling pollutant fate and transport in various media
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chromatography techniques. During her postdoctorate, she has been broadening her expertise
on the use of GC×GC-ToF MS for the identification of unknown and relevant new chemicals
in environmental samples. She is also working with state-of-the-art HRMS instruments for the
elucidation of the elemental composition of the novel unknown chemicals detected in the
investigated samples.
Paul R. Philp, Ph.D. Dr. R. Paul Philp is Professor of Petroleum
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the use of stable isotopes for the purposes of fingerprinting contaminants in the environment
for correlation purposes; source determinations and evaluating whether or not natural
attenuation is active. This approach is particularly valuable in the case of refined products or
single component contaminants when the more traditional GC and GCMS techniques are of
little or reduced use. He has authored or co-authored over 340 articles and books and has
lectured extensively on petroleum and environmental geochemistry in SE Asia, South
America, Europe and Africa.
Angela Powley Ms Powley is a Project Geoscientist with
Environmental Standards Inc. She received a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Biology/Environmental Science from Edinboro
University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and a Master of Science Degree
in Environmental Health and Engineering from Gannon University
in 2005. Her primary responsibilities at Environmental Standards
Inc. include management of environmental site investigation and
remediation projects as well as the implementation of field work
associated with those projects. Ms. Powley is responsible for
managing projects, including tasks such as proposals and budgets,
development and implementation of work plans, assessment of field
and laboratory data, regulatory reporting, client and regulatory
interaction, and budget tracking and invoicing. Ms. Powley has eight
years of project experience with Pennsylvania Act 2 and underground storage tank (UST)
Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, UST investigations/removal in New
Jersey and Pennsylvania, Brownfields, New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), and
Pennsylvania and New Jersey indoor vapor intrusion investigations. Ms. Powley has submitted
numerous detailed technical and regulatory reports for review (e.g., environmental site
assessments, Pennsylvania Department of the Environment Underground Storage Tank (PA
DEP UST) site characterization reports, PA DEP UST remedial action completion reports, and
NJ DEP UST closure reports) that have obtained regulatory approval. In addition to her
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reporting responsibilities, Ms. Powley provides oversight to subcontractors and conducts field
investigations that include hollow stem auger drilling, direct push advancement and sampling,
monitoring well installation, and groundwater and soil sample collection for analytical
analysis.
Cristiano Pozzi Mr. Pozzi has over 17 years of environmental
consulting experience in the fields of soil & groundwater
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Analytical Chemistry / Mass Spectrometry. He has been working in the field of ultra-trace
environmental analysis for more than 25 years and his research interests include the analysis
of dioxin-like and other emerging toxic organics including halogenated flame retardants,
perfluorinated compounds and industrial chemicals as well as advanced analytical techniques
such as Fast GC, 2 Dimensional GC, chemical ionization mass spectrometry, tandem mass
spectrometry and analytical automation.
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Group photo- International Network of Environmental Forensics Penn State Conference 2013 held at Penn State University,
University Park, PA, USA, 10–12 June 2013
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Brian E. McCarry
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We would like to dedicate these proceedings to Dr. Brian McCarry, who passed away
suddenly on the 7th July 2013. Brian was a dedicated environmental scientist and university
professor who was passionate about his work and collaborating with others. He held the
Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair in Environment and Health at McMaster since 1999, and was
Director of the McMaster Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory from 2006-13.
He has served as Chair of Clean Air Hamilton continuously since 2000 and of the Hamilton
Air Monitoring Network since 2003, and has been involved in various capacities with the Bay
Area Restoration Council from 1997-2008, including a term on the Board of Directors. He was
the recipient of a Canadian Environment Award in Climate Change in 2005, and was named
the twenty-sixth recipient of the Victor Cecilioni Award for Hamilton Environmentalist of the
Year, also in 2005. Above all these achievements and allocates Brian was a good person and
will be sorely missed in the scientific community. We would like to extend our sympathy to
his family and loved ones for their untimely loss.
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Contents
Robert D. Morrison
Data
John O. Goreham, Jack V. Matson and Wendy N. Pearson
NAPL Source Identification Utilizing Data from laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) 77
Screening Tools
Jun Lu, Randy St. Germain, and Trevre Andrews
The Use of Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) for Discerning Sources of 136
Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchloroethylene (PCE) within a Commingled
Groundwater Plume in California, USA
Leo M. Rebele and Alan W.A. Jeffrey
Source Attribution of Industrial Fugitive Dusts: Case Studies for the 146
Environment Agency, UK
Mike Fowler, Hugh Datson, Ben Williams and John Bruce
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xx Contents
Robert D. Morrison1
1
P.O. Box 195, Hawi, HI 96719 USA
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1 INTRODUCTION
In 1992 an obscure 23 page report by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control
Board (RWQCB) titled Dry Cleaners – A Major Source of PCE in Ground Water by Victor
Izzo, an Associate Engineering Geologist with the RWQCB at the time, was published.1 The
report described the collection of wastewater samples at main sewer accesses just above and
below sixteen dry cleaners sewer laterals that entered the main sewers. As part of this
investigation, flush samples were obtained after stirring up bottom sediments by adding large
quantities of water and sampling from the flush water, using the later as an indication whether
PCE (perchloroethylene) liquids or sludges had accumulated in the sewer. Of the sixteen dry
cleaners, samples from 11 indicated that PCE sludges or liquids had accumulated in the sewers
next to the facility and were available for exfiltration. The report identified 215 municipal
wells in the Central Valley of California that were degraded by PCE with the source of PCE
identified in 21 of the wells, 20 of which were likely associated with dry cleaners. The report
included the following observation:
The main discharge point for dry cleaners is the sewer line. The discharge from
most dry cleaning units contains primarily water with dissolved PCE, but also
contains some pure cleaning solvent and solids containing PCE. Being heavier
than water, PCE settles to the bottom of the sewer line and exfiltrates through
it. This liquid can leak through joints and cracks in the line. PCE, being
volatile, also turns into gas and penetrates the sewer wall. Sewer lines are not
designed to contain gas. The PCE then travels through the vadose zone to the
ground water.
Based on their investigation, the staff of the RWQCB theorized that five likely methods
existed by which the PCE penetrated the sewer line: (1) through breaks or cracks in the sewer
pipe, (2) through pipe joints and other connections, (3) by leaching in liquid from directly
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through the sewer lines into the vadose zone, (4) by saturating the bottom of the sewer pipe
with a higher concentration of PCE-containing liquid and then PCE volatilizing from the outer
edge of the pipe into the soils and (5) by penetrating the sewer pipe as a gas. The report further
stated that: The literature indicates that all sewer lines leak to some extent. An unintended
consequence of this seemingly innocuous sentence and the findings in the report was the
realization that the owners and operators of sewers, especially municipalities, were potentially
liable for PCE releases via a sewer network. Forensic questions that inevitably arose in
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association with primarily dry cleaning and PCE release litigation, included issues regarding
when the release first began and the mass released over time through the sewer as well as
factors that impacted the mass released.
While the exfiltration of liquid from sewers is a mature science to engineers designing
sanitary sewers, the application of this knowledge specific to forensic issues associated with
PCE releases from sewer piping is unique. This article provides insight regarding this issue,
especially its application to forensic issues that arise in litigation regarding PCE discharges
from sewers.
PCE exfiltration (e.g., leakage from sewer pipe) from a sewer pipe is a continuous process and
is regarded as dynamic whereby the diurnal variation in sewage levels, sewer maintenance
routines, variations in sewage levels due to blockage and temperature variations affect the
volume of leakage. Once PCE has entered the sewer or other subsurface drainage pipe, it can
be transported into the underlying soil/groundwater column via exfiltration.
Exfiltration from sewers, especially older ones, is a common phenomenon and the
amount lost is typically reported in the range of some percent of the total amount of liquid
conveyed in the system. Older sewers are often constructed of vitrified clay pipe (VCP) or
brick and concrete while newer constructions consist of plastic, ductile iron, steel and
reinforced concrete. Early clay sewer pipes were generally butt jointed with the joint
sometimes sealed with clay.2 In the early 20th century, pipes with spigot and socket joints with
puddle clay seals were developed with tarred gaskets used to keep the pipe concentric.
Flexible joints between lengths of sewer pipes were developed in the 1959s.3
From about 1958, vitrified clay pipes with joints of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other
plastic materials became commercially available. In the late 1990s, a survey for the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that included 13 sanitary sewer systems
indicated that material distributions of sewer materials consisted of vitrified clay (61%),
plastic of all times (20%), reinforced concrete (7%), unreinforced concrete (75%) and other
materials 5%.4 Over 50% of all force mains use ductile iron.†
Regardless of the construction material, the chemical characteristics and stability of the
soil environment are the principal factors that contribute to external pipe deterioration.
Specific factors affecting pipe deterioration were found to include pipe loading, soil pH, soil
sulfate and chloride concentrations, soil moisture and aeration.5 For clay sewers using cement
mortar, the mortar deteriorates over time due to its rigidity and potential corrosive conditions,
primarily associated with hydrogen sulfide.
†
Ductile iron is a type of cast iron invented in 1943 that has more impact and fatigue resistance than most
varieties of cast iron pipe which is often brittle.
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Sewer joints are the most susceptible component of a sewer system for exfiltration
(and infiltration).6,7 The types and frequencies of defects which can lead to exfiltration in
sewers have been reported to include defects at lateral connections (5%), leaking joints (48)%,
and cracks (longitudinal, tension, circumferential) and fractures (45%).8 Prior to the 1950s,
sewer joints were commonly joined with cement mortar or bituminous materials whose
cohesion deteriorates over time; sewers of this construction and time can therefore be assumed
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to leak.9 For a vitrified clay pipes 25 years or older with a cement mortar, for example, a
reasonable estimate of an average gap of each joint is around 0.02 inches which represents the
average gap size between pipe spigot and bell of a well-aligned clay pipe.10 For recently
installed vitreous clay pipes with plastic or rubber sealing, less gapping of joints is expected.
In a study of over 800 meters of sewer camera footage of different sewer pipes
installed in different types of backfill soils in Melbourne, Australia, a series of generic curves
describing the average defect area and joint separation width in sewer pipes were
constructed.11 Figure 1 is a generic curve for vitrified clay pipes installed in sandy soils from
this study. Of note is the commencement of joint displacement identified almost immediately
after installation along with the size of the defect increasing especially rapidly between 25 and
75 years after installation.
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The 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published their results from their
examination of exfiltration rates from vitrified clay pipes in California, Washington, D.C.,
Kentucky and Maryland. Exfiltration rates in from this study are summarized in Table 1. 12
Figure 1 Generic curves for vitrified clay sewer pipe in sandy soil in Melbourne, Australia
(Reproduced De Silva, Dhammika, Burn, S, Tjandraatmadja, G, Moglia, M, Davis,
P, Wolf, L, Held, I, Vollertsen, J, Williams, W & Hafskjold, L (2005) 'Sustainable
management of leakage from wastewater pipelines' Water Science & Technology,
vol. 52, 12, pp. 189-198 with permission from the copyright holders, IWA
Publishing)
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Table 1 Summary of exfiltration rates from continuous flow monitoring in vitrified clay pipe
in four states in the United States (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1989.
Results of the evaluation of groundwater impacts of sewer exfiltration. Pb95-158358,
Washington, D.C.)
Exfiltration measurements and estimates from other countries include the following examples.
x A 1997 study found water system losses ranging from 8% in Hong Kong, which is
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The question of when a sewer pipe begins leaking is challenging, especially given that direct
evidence is often lacking. In such cases, the design of the sewer system often provides a basis
for developing defensible leakage rate estimates; a common approach is to assume that a
sewer begins leaking immediately after coming into service, although this position is
frequently contested, especially in a litigation context. Of note is that the Department of Public
Works in Denver, Colorado has a maximum acceptable exfiltration/infiltration rate for any
section of 1000 feet of 18 foot length of mechanical joint or push-on joint pipe for sewer
piping not to exceed 200 gallons per day/inch diameter/mile for clay and concrete pipe and 50
gallons per day/inch diameter/mile for PVC pipe. Of note is that Denver uses the same rates
for both infiltration and exfiltration into the sewer pipe.18 These observations suggest that (a)
the infiltration rate of liquid into a sewer can be used as an approximate surrogate for the
exfiltration rate for the same system and (2) that sewer systems all leak to some extent, likely
at the beginning of operation.
‡
Also known as tegretol, carbamazepen, finlepsin, carbazepine, tegretal, epitol and carbamazepine.
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Given the importance of determining the mass and when PCE was released through sewer
piping, it is not uncommon for intrusive investigations designed to examine the condition of
the piping and especially PCE soil profile sampling at areas of high leakage probability (e.g.,
joints, changes in pipe diameter, manholes, cracks identified in sewer camera, etc.) are
performed. Sewer related factors important to be identified prior to commencement of this
type of forensic sampling include the diameter of sewer line, the location of access manholes
or cleanouts, the age of the sewer system and construction material, the type and quality of
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construction, especially joints, fittings, bedding and backfill, and the buried depth, gradient
and direction of flow within the piping.19,20
Absent the direct measurement of chlorinated solvents in sewer sediments and soil
samples beneath an identified break in a sewer pipe, indirect surrogate methods are available
to associate non-chlorinated contamination in groundwater (surrogates) with a sewer release.
Additional, mathematical methods are available to estimate the rate and volume of liquid
released from a pipe.
Absent direct measurements or knowledge of a PCE release from a sewer system, surrogate
indicators are often used. Examples of surrogate indicators to ascertain whether a joint has
leaked include the presence of detergent compounds (e.g., EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid), d-limonene (C10H16) and sulphur compounds), high total dissolved solids (TDS), high
total organic carbon (TOC), caffeine and the presence of biological indicators, and
pharmaceutical residues (endocrine disrupters, clofibric acid, etc).21,22 For example, an
excavated concrete sewer revealed the presence of E. coli and Clostridium Perfringens
beneath the leaks which can only survive when organic matter in wastewater is continuously
supplied as evidence of exfiltration from the sewer pipe.23
General categories of surrogate indicators used with their detection with PCE in soil as
indicators of their release from a sewer include:
x Trihalomethanes (THMs),
x Biological indicators,
x Physical and chemical measurements, and
x Isotopic measurements.
In addition to these four categories are standardized analytical tests developed exclusively for
the purpose of analyzing wastewater samples.
3.1.1 Trihalomethanes (THMs) The presence of trihalomethanes (THMs) with PCE in
soil, soil vapor and/or groundwater in the vicinity of sewer piping can provide corroborative
information regarding the release of liquid from a sewer pipe. A classic example is the
presence of THMs with PCE leaking from sewer lateral serving a dry cleaning facility. Absent
direct measurements of the THMs and chlorinated solvents in the sewer sediment and directly
under a break or crack in the piping, the presence of THMs in groundwater with chlorinated
can provide corroborative information regarding the sewer as a possible source. In order to
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develop this causal relationship, background and other possible sources for the THMs other
than leakage from a sewer pipe, especially chloroform, need to be identified and evaluated.
Since 1974, chlorination by-products have been detected in chlorinated water as a
result of the haloform reaction that occurs when chlorine interacts with organic matter
dissolved in water. If bromide is present (at concentrations of about 100 micrograms per liter
(μg/L) or greater) in source waters, one or more of the three brominated THMs
(bromotrichloromethanes, bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethane) may be
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generated by the haloform reaction. Sodium hypochlorite, gaseous chlorine, and chloramines
(commonly used in public systems as disinfectants) and many organic chemicals contained in
household cleaning products may react with organic matter in water to generate chloroform
Chlorine is usually applied as chlorine gas, powdered calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2), or
liquid sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; bleach).
The chlorine subsequently reacts with the organic matter, humic and fulvic acids and
bromide ions, as precursors form chlorine disinfection by-products including TMHs,
haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, chloral hydrate, and chloropicrin. When
bromine exists, the chlorine oxidizes it to hypobromous acid/ hypobromite ions, to form
bromotrichloromethanes, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane. The primary
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samples may indicate an industrial/commercial source for those samples, although it may also
be a consequence of low-level detections of chloroform with concentrations of the brominated
THMs present below the detection limit. These observations suggests that this difference can
be a useful forensic indicator to distinguish between chlorinated treated water from other
sources of trihalomethanes in groundwater samples, especially when present with PCE.33
Potential sources of chloroform other than from its release from leaking sewers
requires examination in order to discriminate its origin from a leaking sewer from background
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A potential opportunity for discriminating between chloroform originating from a sewer pipe
release and industrial chloroform is the presence of stabilizers. Chloroform stabilizers include
absolute alcohol, methylated spirits, thymol, t-butyl phenol, and n-octyl phenol.52 If industrial
chloroform is discharged into a sewer which is suspected of leaking, this opportunity may not
have merit unless the chloroform is associated with other sewer related surrogate indicators.
3.1.2 Biological Indicators A significant body of scientific literature exists that
provides the forensic investigator with biological compounds associated with specific sources,
activities and products.53–56 The use of fecal indicator bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (e
coli), enterococcus and total coliform bacteria are the classical general indicators of
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wastewater. Bacteria with more specific associations are available; an example is the human-
specific Bacteroidales used to trace the origin of the fecal material.57 Although fecal material
from other mammals, birds, and in some cases fish can produce low positive detections of
Bacteroidales and dilution, sorption, or other processes can cause Bacteroidales
concentrations to be reduced, even if present, human-specific Bacteroidales is considered to
be a reliable indicator of human fecal contamination.58 Another useful property of fecal
Bacteroidales reported in a study in Sweden is that it is recalcitrant in water is similar to other
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coxsackievie viruses and echoviruses that can cause mild respiratory illness).60
Analysis of an environmental sample for viruses may be preferred to use of standard
microbiological indicators of viruses (e.g., Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria) that can
provide false negative results, likely due to their larger size and physical straining relative to
viruses (27-75 nanometers).61
3.1.3 Chemical and Physical Indicators When using chemical and physical indicators
as representative of liquids released from a sewer, the optimum results occur when multiple
compounds representative of a sewer release are analyzed. Examples of groups of chemicals
used this purpose include stabilizers, total dissolve solids (TDS) and total nitrogen, caffeine,
sterols and stanols, detergent metabolites, flavors and fragrances, personal health care
products, flame retardants and pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.62,63
Traditional sanitary sewage markers, including TDS, total nitrogen, and methyl active
blue substance (MBAS) provide a qualitative marker for identifying septic releases, especially
if temporal sampling associated with high flow events is performed.64 In many cases, cost
effective traditional indicators of septic releases used in concert with unique markers
associated with businesses discharging into a trunk line can optimize the value of the resulting
information. For example, if a restaurant upgradient of a suspected sewer release is identified,
a more obscure tracer, such as the sweetener acesulfame, can provide solid corroborative
information along with the more traditional sewage markers.65 Other examples include
nicotine derivatives, and pharmaceutical compounds such as ibuprofen, clofibric acid and
diclofenac.66–68
Steam is often used to regenerate carbon filters. Water soluble stabilizers and some
solvent will remain with the water and eventually enter the sewer system.69 In 1977, it was
estimated that solvent discharges from steam condensate into the sewer could typically reach
about 35 gallons per year.70 This assumes solvent at a concentration of 900 ug/l in the
condensate and a total of about 40,000 gallons per year of steam condensate.
In addition to chlorinated compounds, steam condensate will contain small amounts of
solvent stabilizers. When the condensate is disposed of most of these stabilizers will
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bacterial in urban streams and ocean beaches in Santa Barbara, California, caffeine and
cholesterol were present in almost 60 percent of the environmental samples. Caffeine and
various sterols were positively correlated, and these compounds were positively correlated
with many personal-care products, flame retardants, flavors/fragrances, and d-limonene. The
study observed that caffeine and sterols were poorly correlated with most industrial and
asphalt-derived compounds.76
Sterols and stanols are indicators of fecal contamination.77,78 Sterols are a class of
steroids containing a hydroxyl group and are found in animal and plant tissue; stanols are
saturated steroid alcohols formed by the hydrogenation of an appropriate sterol. Stanols and
sterols have been used extensively as an indicator of sewage; for example, the fecal sterol
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