Nivetha worked on the detection and chemical analysis of trace levels of estrogens in the Grand River. Natural and synthetic estrogens, even at low concentrations, can cause various adverse effects on native fish populations in the Grand River. High estrogen concentrations are deposited into the river through various local wastewater treatment plants. A large source of estrogens in the Grand River is from the final effluent discharged from the various wastewater treatment plants in the area. Two of the major wastewater treatment plants have recently undergone significant infrastructure upgrades, improving the quality of the final effluent being discharged. Nivetha is sampling this final effluent and using both biological techniques (YES assay) and chemical analyses (LC-MS/MS) to detect and quantify the estrogens. This will allow for the improved assessment of water quality and fish health.
