Determination of Caffeine Levels in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers ('03)

Heather McNicholas

The presence of caffeine in river water and in wastewater indicates that it is passing through water treatment facilities without being degraded.  The effects of caffeine on the aquatic environment have not yet been determined, but it is not the only species passing through the treatment plants and can serve as a marker fo water contamination.  Samples were collected from both the Columbia and Willamette Rivers near Portland, OR.  The caffeine was extracted using solid phase extraction and the concentration was determined using GCMS SIM the concentration in the Columbia was determined to be 2.0 ng/L and in the Willamette was 0.18 ng/L.  This indicates that the water in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers are beings contaminated with chemicals that are not being treated and are being released directly into the watershed.