Measurement of Anthropogenic Gadolinium in the Scioto and Olentangy River System Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
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Date
2018-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Gadolinium, a rare earth element (REE), is used throughout modern medical facilities as a paramagnetic component for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Eventually after use, contrast agents travel through hospital or city wastewater treatment facilities and end up as waste in the City of Columbus's Scioto and Olentangy River systems. Our study, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, measured the dissolved rare earth element chemistry upstream, within the City of Columbus, and downstream of the City of Columbus's wastewater treatment facilities to detect any possible amounts of anthropogenic gadolinium throughout these waterways. Following the detection of any anthropogenic gadolinium, we sought to identify if the City of Columbus has any impact on the concentration of anthropogenic gadolinium and if so, at what relative concentrations. Through our study, were able to detect anthropogenic gadolinium directly downstream of the City's wastewater treatment facilities, indicating the City of Columbus does have an influence on existing concentrations of gadolinium. The estimated concentrations of anthropogenic gadolinium measured downstream of Columbus wastewater treatment plants ranged from 0.025 ppb to 0.040 ppb (part per billion, μg/L).
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Keywords
Gadolinium, Contamination, River, Scioto, Olentangy, Rare Earth Element