Differentiating sources of anthropogenic loading to impaired water bodies utilizing ratios of sucralose and other microconstituents

Previous studies have suggested the use of sucralose, a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener, as an indicator of domestic wastewater loading to surface waters. This paper presents a novel flow schematic approach for quantifying volumetric load contributions from different water sources by utilizing sucralose as a master diagnostic variable in combination with other trace compounds. This conceptual approach was validated through demonstration of sucralose presence at positive field sites susceptible to either water reuse or septic infiltration and its absence at negative field sites. Differences in the ratios of carbamazepine to sucralose and gadolinium anomaly to sucralose were demonstrated for eight septic and water reuse effluents. Utilization of these ratios as a means of distinguishing septic and water reuse loading to water bodies merits additional study. In the absence of sustained loading, the use of carbamazepine might be hindered by photolysis and gadolinium anomaly might be hindered when volumetric loading is less than 20%.

► Markers were used to identify sources responsible for impairment of receiving waters. ► Sucralose is shown to be an effective marker of wastewater loading of human origin. ► Distinguishing septic and water reuse loads was studied using trace compound ratios. ► A flow schematic approach to source identification is proposed.