Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Estrogenic Compounds in Rivers of Southern Jiangsu Province, China

Abstract

Significant attentions are rising for estrogenic compounds in environment, because their potential impacts on water ecosystem and human health. Estrogenic compounds (Estrone[E1], 17b-Estradiol[E2], Estriol[E3], 17a-Ethinylestradiol[EE2] and Bisphenol A [BPA]) in rivers of southern Jiangsu, China were investigated to realize their distributions and risks. The results showed E1, E2, E3 and BPA ranged from 1.96 to 143.29ng/L in rivers, with the detection rates from 12.5% to 100%. These estrogenic compounds in waters showed higher contents in winter than in spring and autumn. Levels of E1, E2 and E3 were higher in rivers nearby livestock breeding areas, while the concentrations of BPA were higher in the rivers nearby industrial areas. The risk assessment of estrogenic compounds were performed by the calculation of risk quotient (RQ) based on the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC), which was deduced through a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) model. The RQ values of E1, E2, E3 and BPA were 0.02∼1.87, 1.28∼23.22, 0.01∼0.80 and 0.03∼0.44 respectively. These results imply that harmful ecological effects might happen in some rivers. It indicates that different anthropogenic activities will lead to diverse inputs of estrogen compounds into rivers and pose different risks.