Characteristics and Bioaccumulation of Progestogens, Androgens, Estrogens, and Phenols in Erhai Lake Catchment, Yunnan, China

Abstract

Occurrence and behavior of steroid estrogens and phenols in natural waters have been widely reported, but information about progestogens and androgens is rarely published. In this study, occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, bioaccumulation, and ecotoxicological risk of steroidal and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (progestogens, androgens, estrogens, and phenols) were documented in the catchment of China's Erhai Lake. Phenols were detected in concentration ranging from 47 to 215 ng/L in water and 16 to 76 ng/g in sediment. The pollution of phenols was mainly caused by the emission of agriculture, industry, and daily activities. Natural and synthetic steroids were also found in Erhai Lake catchment with the total concentrations ranging from 19 to 161 ng/L in water and from 2.76 to 29.1 ng/g in sediment. Bisphenol A, estrone, and dihydrotestosterone were the alkyl phenol, estrogen, and androgen found in the highest concentrations. Bioaccumulation of these EDCs in fish tissues was most pronounced in livers, followed by gills and then muscle tissue. Computed risk quotients suggest that the ecotoxicological risk of steroids and phenols in Erhai Lake was lower than that in the rivers feeding the lake. 17α-ethinylestradiol and bisphenol A pose the greatest risk and should be controlled preferentially in this catchment.