Abstract
Untreated organic contaminants in municipal wastewater, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), have become a significant issue in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in freshwater bodies that receive wastewater discharge. This has raised concerns about the accumulation of EDCs in aquatic species via continuous exposure. This study evaluated the uptake of EDCs by quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis), an invasive species in a water supply reservoir. The field sampling results showed that steroid hormones were not detected in the water samples, and only pharmaceuticals and personal care products were present (0.49 to 36 ng/L). Additionally, testosterone was the most abundant steroid in the mussel tissue (6.3 to 20 ng/g dry weight), and other synthetic chemicals (i.e., bisphenol A, triclosan, and salicylic acid) were also detected in the mussel tissue (24 to 47 ng/g dry weight). After being exposed to exogenous EDCs for 7, 21, and 42 days under controlled laboratory conditions, testosterone was not detected in the mussel anymore, but bisphenol A, triclosan, and salicylic acid were found at relatively high levels in the mussel tissue, although the concentrations did not increase over time. Overall, the study demonstrated the uptake of EDCs in quagga mussels, which suggests that this species can be used to reflect water quality deterioration in aquatic ecosystems.
Highlights
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) often discharge organic contaminants at trace levels in the effluents, such as naturally occurring and synthetic hormones as well as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs)
This study evaluated the occurrence and uptake of a suite of steroidal hormones and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in quagga mussels, which are an invasive species found in the freshwater systems of the southwestern United States
The field sampling results showed that steroidal hormones were not detected in the Lake Mead water, and testosterone was found at relatively high levels in the mussel tissue from all of the sampling locations
Summary
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) often discharge organic contaminants at trace levels in the effluents, such as naturally occurring and synthetic hormones as well as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). These unregulated contaminants have become a significant concern in the environment because of their potential effects on the health of wildlife and humans at trace levels. These trace organic chemicals are frequently found at levels of parts per trillion to parts per billion in wastewater effluents (Jones et al 2005; Lubliner et al 2010; Miao et al 2004; Miao et al 2002; Soulet et al 2002).
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