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NESP MaC Project 4.22 - Environmental concentrations of emerging contaminants in coastal stormwater (UTS)
Summary
Australian researchers tracked chemicals from everyday life—like medications, pesticides, and microplastics—as they wash into coastal waters through stormwater and wastewater, especially studying what happens during major storms like Cyclone Alfred. While this study focused on environmental impact rather than direct human health effects, it matters because these same coastal waters are used for swimming, fishing, and shellfish harvesting, and understanding contaminant levels helps protect both marine ecosystems and the seafood and water supplies people depend on.
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are natural and synthetic chemicals associated with pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial products, household items and microplastics that can affect environmental and human health. Australian wastewater and coastal water quality strategies have identified the need to better understand the concentrations, distribution and ecological impacts of these contaminants in marine environments, particularly in relation to wastewater discharges and stormwater inputs. This project extended NESP Marine and Coastal Hub [Project 2.4](https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/project/2-4) that investigated CECs in Australian coastal waters, by increasing the spatial and temporal resolution of sampling around wastewater outfalls and stormwater systems. Sampling focused on Gamay (NSW) and Glenelg (South Australia), enabling comparison between wastewater treatment plant effluent and coastal stormwater inputs across different seasons and environmental conditions. Field programs collected water and sediment samples to quantify contaminants including pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, PFAS, metals and microplastics. Associated environmental variables were also measured. Ecogenomic approaches were used to assess microbial assemblages and antimicrobial resistance to examine the potential ecological impacts of contaminant exposure. The project also incorporated targeted stormwater sampling associated with major flooding following Tropical Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, providing a rare time-series dataset on contaminant mobilisation during extreme rainfall events. The project maintained and expanded the [National Outfall Database](https://nod.org.au) through continued collection, collation and reporting of wastewater treatment plant discharge data, including outfall flows, pollutant loads and associated infrastructure information. Project outputs improve the evidence base needed to inform contaminant guideline development, wastewater and stormwater management. This includes coastal marine park and Ramsar wetland management, and future assessment of ecological risks associated with contaminants of emerging concern.