This dataset describes site location information for samples collected within the western National Parks, USA, (Arches National Park (NP), Bryce Canyon NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Dinosaur National Monument (NM), Hovenweep NM, Timpanogos Cave NM, and Zion NP) for water chemistry analyses. Water-quality and bed-sediment samples were analyzed for contaminants of emerging concern at the National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, Colorado, and Region 8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Additionally, quality assurance and quality control results are summarized.

Water and sediment was collected to assess the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in National Park waters of the northern Colorado Plateau, USA. CEC presence in water and sediment is reported for 21 sites in eight U.S. national parks in the northern Colorado Plateau region. From 2012 to 2016, at least one PPCP and/or WWI was detected at most sites on over half of sampling visits, indicating that CECs are not uncommon even in isolated areas. Maximum concentrations in this study were generally below available water quality benchmarks, sediment quality guidelines, and concentrations known to induce biological activity in vitro. C occurrence patterns and similarities between continuous and isolated flow locations suggest that direct contamination from individual visitors may also occur. While the data indicate there is little aquatic health risk associated with CECs at our sites, results demonstrate the ubiquity of CECs on the landscape and a continued need for public outreach concerning resource-use ethics and the potential effects of upstream development. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Weissinger, R., B. Blackwell, K. Keteles, W. Battaglin, and P. Bradley. Bioactive contaminants of emerging concern in national park waters of the northern Colorado plateau, USA. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 636: 910-918, (2018).

This dataset contains pesticide and pharmaceutical results (including maximum and median summaries) collected in the Southeast Region of the United States, 2015-17. Water-quality and bed-sediment results are reported. Samples were analyzed at the National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, Colorado and the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory, Sacramento, California. Method and site information is also included. Exposure Activity Ratios were also calculated using ToxCast (https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/toxcast-dashboard).

This dataset included the concentration results (in nanograms per liter) for 328 pharmaceutical and pesticide compounds analyzed within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina, in 2019. Two samples were collected (July and September) at 15 locations within the park, and one location at the park boundary. Samples were analyzed at the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Denver, Colorado.

This dataset included the concentration results (in nanograms per liter) for 328 pharmaceutical and pesticide compounds analyzed within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina, in 2019. Two samples were collected (July and September) at 15 locations within the park, and one location at the park boundary. Samples were analyzed at the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) in Denver, Colorado.

Filtered water samples were collected by the USGS National Water Quality Program (NWQP) Southeastern Stream Quality Assessment (SESQA) from 59 perennial, wadeable (less than 10 m width and 1 m depth at base-flow) headwater stream sites in watersheds with varying degrees of urban land use in four states. Dataset includes sample site locations and information, analytical method information, water sample pharmaceutical concentrations and summary statistics, and corresponding watershed land-use-land-cover data and data dictionary.

Filtered water samples were collected by the USGS National Water Quality Program (NWQP) Southeastern Stream Quality Assessment (SESQA) from 59 perennial, wadeable (less than 10 m width and 1 m depth at base-flow) headwater stream sites in watersheds with varying degrees of urban land use in four states. Dataset includes sample site locations and information, analytical method information, water sample pharmaceutical concentrations and summary statistics, and corresponding watershed land-use-land-cover data and data dictionary.

This data set contains the concentration results for water- and sediment-quality and tissue samples, as well as associated quality-assurance data, collected at sampling locations located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Samples were collected between 2012 and 2013. Samples were analyzed for nutrients, hormones, pharmaceutical, wastewater indicator compounds and pesticides, at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Quality Laboratory and the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory, Sacramento, California. Bioassay analyses were performed at the National Fish Health Laboratory in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Data is also archived in the National Water Information System database (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis).

This data set contains the concentration results for water- and sediment-quality and tissue samples, as well as associated quality-assurance data, collected at sampling locations located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Samples were collected between 2012 and 2013. Samples were analyzed for nutrients, hormones, pharmaceutical, wastewater indicator compounds and pesticides, at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Quality Laboratory and the Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory, Sacramento, California. Bioassay analyses were performed at the National Fish Health Laboratory in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Data is also archived in the National Water Information System database (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis).

Human-use pharmaceutical, pesticide, and wastewater indicator compounds were analyzed at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, Colorado, in wadeable streams in 4 Regional Stream Quality Assessments: Northeast (NESQA), Southeast (SESQA), Pacific Northwest (PNSQA) and California (CSQA). Multiple (with few exceptions) samplings occurred at each site, during base flow, between 2014 and 2017. Sites were located in the headwaters of perennial, wadeable streams in urban and agricultural watersheds. Site selection and methodology for each assessment can be found in Van Meter and others (2015), Sheibley and others (2015), Van Meter and others (2017), Coles and others (2016), Van Meter and others (2016), Journey and others (2015), and Van Meter and others (2014). Additional results for this study can be found in Bradley and others, 2020 and Mahler and others, 2020. See cross-reference section for full citation information.