Estradiol Equivalent Concentration Research Articles

Estrogenic activity in wastewater treatment plants through in vitro effect-based assays: Insights into extraction phase

Effluents of wastewater treatment plants can abundantly spread endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment. To improve water quality monitoring, the use of effect-based tools that measure estrogenic activity has been suggested, however their results could be influenced by different factors.This study compared the estrogenic activity of wastewater samples extracted with two stationary phases and tested with two in vitro effect-based assays to investigate whether and how stationary phases and assays could influence biomonitoring data.During four seasonal periods, the effluents of six WWTPs located in northern Italy were sampled. After the extraction using two different stationary phases (HLB, C18), the samples (n = 72) were tested using two effect-based assays: a gene reporter luciferase assay on mammalian cells (MELN) and yeast estrogen screen assay (YES).The results showed that estrogenic activity of HLB extracts was significantly different from the activity of C18 extracts, suggesting that extraction phase can influence biomonitoring data. Moreover, the estrogenic activity was overall higher using gene reporter MELN assay than using YES assay, suggesting that, due to difference in cell membrane permeability and metabolic activation, the applied cell model can affect the biomonitoring results. Finally, from the comparison between the activity of the final effluent and the environmentally safe estrogenic levels in surface waters, MELN data suggested that the activity of this effluent may pose an environmental risk, while YES data showed that it should not be considered a threat to the receiving surface waters.This study pointed out that a standardized approach is needed to assess the estrogenic activity of waters; it reported important data to select the most suitable stationary phase for samples extraction (samples extracted with C18 sorbent showed higher estradiol equivalent concentration values) and the most appropriate bioassay (gene reporter luciferase MELN assay was more sensitive than YES assay) to assess the environmental risk, thus protecting human health.

Occurrence, sources and environmental risk assessment of organic micropollutants in coastal sediments from the Atacama Region (Chile)

Nowadays, there is still a scientific knowledge gap regarding occurrence and distribution of organic contaminants in remote areas. In this study, we have monitored for the first time the presence of a wide range of persistent and emerging organic pollutants in the Atacama Desert coastal region (Chile), a key area in the Humboldt Current System. Nonylphenols (NPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, UV filters, synthetic fragrances, and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were determined in sediments along the >500 km length Atacama coastline. NPs, well-known endocrine disruptors, were the predominant pollutants in the area (up to 333.5 ng g−1 dw). We identified inputs of different classes of contaminants from anthropogenic activities such as mining, agriculture, direct effluent discharges, harbors, energy plants, recreational activities, and tourism occurring along the coastline. Environmental risk assessment through calculation of hazard quotients (HQs) showed a high ecological risk level for NPs in the three provinces of Atacama (HQ >1). In the case of PAHs, (pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, acenaphthene, naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene) HQ >1 was showed in Copiapó province. Furthermore, estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQ) were determined to estimate estrogenicity of the environmental sediment samples. The maximum EEQ value was for NPs in H1 (Carrizal Bajo wetland), province of Huasco, where the highest concentration of NPs was found. The sampling point H1 is a particular location because it is the exit of a wetland and a tourist point used as a beach. The potential risks of anthropogenic chemical substances impacting remote regions such as the one studied here highlight the need of expand monitoring efforts worldwide for a better assessment of the global pollution status.

Estrogen toxicity reduction of industrial biochemical tailwater by electrolysis biofilters with ceramsite‑sulfur-siderite fillers

Biochemical tailwater of the industrial park wastewater treatment plant is facing the growing demand of advanced treatment and toxicity reduction. However, existing information on toxicity reduction of real industrial biochemical tailwater is still limited so far. Herein, the water quality of biochemical tailwater from an integrated industrial park in Taihu Lake Basin, China, was systematically investigated, and typical endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and estrogen toxicity were detected. Estrogen toxicity reduction by previously proposed electrolysis biofilters with ceramsite‑sulfur-siderite fillers was further verified. Results showed that total nitrogen (TN) and estrogen toxicity removal increased by 41.0 % and 30.3 % respectively under the optimal voltage of 4 V and electric loading of 24 h/d, and significantly positive correlation between estrogen toxicity reduction and TN removal (p < 0.05) was observed. The lowest effluent estrogen toxicity was 0.79–0.95 ngE2/L (in estradiol equivalent concentration) by the biofilter with ceramsite‑sulfur-siderite fillers, which was lower than the estrogen disruption effects mass concentration threshold of 1 ng/L. Electrical stimulation promoted the increase of the abundance of denitrifying bacteria Thauera and electroactive bacteria Hydrogenophaga, thus enhancing the removal of TN, furthermore, the abundance of Thiobacillus and Sulfuritalea were significantly correlated with the reduction of estrogen toxicity. The study highlights the potential of electrolysis biofilter in realizing the synergy of estrogen toxicity reduction and autotrophic denitrification of industrial biochemical tailwater, and paves the way for the application of electrolysis biofilter in the advanced purification of industrial biochemical tailwater.

Validation and application of diffusive gradient in thin-film (DGT) equipped novel cyclodextrin polymer gels for monitoring endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and environmental risk assessment in the Taihu lake basin

Taihu Lake is the most important drinking water source of the major cities in the Yangtze River Delta. The pollution of endocrine disruptors (EDCs)in Taihu Lake has been increasing recently, the accurate determination is an important guide for predicting its health risks and developing appropriate controls. Monitoring organic pollutants in water using the diffusive gradient in thin film technique (DGT) has attracted much attention due to more accuracy and convenience than the grab sampling methods. In this study, a novel cyclodextrin polymer (CDP) synthesized by the simple and green method in water was taken as an adsorbent for the binding gel. Four endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3), were taken as models to determine the diffusion coefficients (4.68 × 10−6, 3.38 × 10−6, 3.34 × 10−6 and 4.31 × 10−6 cm2/s) and to test the performance of DGT, such as adsorption capacity and deployment time (1–5 day). The assembled CDP-DGT was adopted to determine four EDCs in a simulated water environment (3–9 of pH, 0.001–0.5 M of ionic strength (IS), and dissolved organic matter (DOM) of 0–20 mg/L). The ability of CDP-DGT sampling was verified in the Jiuxiang River and was carried out for a large-scale field application of in situ sampling EDCs in Taihu Lake basin. The results show that the total EDCs concentration range and the estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQ) in Taihu Lake and its main rivers are 2.78 ng/L to 11.08 ng/L and 2.62 ng/L to 10.91 ng/L, respectively. The risk quotients (RQs) of all sampling sites in the region were greater than 1, indicating that EDCs pose a serious threat to aquatic organisms in the area. Therefore, the monitoring of EDCs in the Taihu Lake basin should be further strengthened.

Ultrasensitive detection of endocrine disruptors via superfine plasmonic spectral combs

The apparent increase in hormone-induced cancers and disorders of the reproductive tract has led to a growing demand for new technologies capable of detecting endocrine disruptors. However, a long-lasting challenge unaddressed is how to achieve ultrahigh sensitive, continuous, and in situ measurement with a portable device for in-field and remote environmental monitoring. Here we demonstrate a simple-to-implement plasmonic optical fiber biosensing platform to achieve an improved light–matter interaction and advanced surface chemistry for ultrasensitive detection of endocrine disruptors. Our platform is based on a gold-coated highly tilted fiber Bragg grating that excites high-density narrow cladding mode spectral combs that overlap with the broad absorption of the surface plasmon for high accuracy interrogation, hence enabling the ultrasensitive monitoring of refractive index changes at the fiber surface. Through the use of estrogen receptors as the model, we design an estradiol–streptavidin conjugate with the assistance of molecular dynamics, converting the specific recognition of environmental estrogens (EEs) by estrogen receptor into surface-based affinity bioassay for protein. The ultrasensitive platform with conjugate-induced amplification biosensing approach enables the subsequent detection for EEs down to 1.5 × 10−3 ng ml−1 estradiol equivalent concentration level, which is one order lower than the defined maximal E2 level in drinking water set by the Japanese government. The capability to detect EEs down to nanogram per liter level is the lowest limit of detection for any estrogen receptor-based detection reported thus far. Its compact size, flexible shape, and remote operation capability open the way for detecting other endocrine disruptors with ultrahigh sensitivity and in various hard-to-reach spaces, thereby having the potential to revolutionize environment and health monitoring.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in a typical urbanized bay of Yellow Sea, China: Distribution, risk assessment, and identification of priority pollutants

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water are receiving particular attention as they pose adverse effects on aquatic systems, even at trace concentrations. A comprehensive study was conducted on 14 EDCs (five estrogens and nine household and personal care products (HPCPs)) in the water of the urbanized Jiaozhou Bay in the Yellow Sea during summer and winter. Results showed that the total concentration of 14 EDCs ranged from 100 to 658 ng L−1 and 56.7–212 ng L−1 in the estuarine and bay water, respectively. The average total concentration of five estrogens in summer was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that in winter due to the higher precipitation dilution and degradations during summer, whereas the average total concentration of nine HPCPs was significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the summer than that during the winter because of the higher usage and emissions during the summer. Estrogens and HPCPs were dominated by 17α-ethinylestradiol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), respectively. High PHBA concentrations may be related to the hydrolysis of parabens. The total concentrations of EDCs were higher in the eastern coastal seawater of the bay due to the strong influence of domestic and industrial wastewater discharge. Estrogens may interfere with the endocrine system of aquatic organisms in the bay because the total estradiol equivalent concentration exceeded 1 ng L−1. 17α-ethinylestradiol was the main contributor to the estrogenic activity. The EDC mixtures posed high risks (RQ > 1) to mollusks, crustaceans, and fish, and low to moderate risks (RQ < 1) to algae. Fish was the most sensitive aquatic taxon to the EDC mixtures. Given the concentration and frequency of EDCs, the optimized risk quotient method revealed that 17α-ethinylestradiol, estrone, triclocarban, triclosan, and 17β-estradiol should be prioritized in ecological management because of their high risks (prioritization index of >1).

Hormonal activity in commonly used Black hair care products: evaluating hormone disruption as a plausible contribution to health disparities.

Background:Certain types of hair products are more commonly used by Black women. Studies show hair products contain several endocrine disrupting chemicals that are associated with adverse health outcomes. As chemical mixtures of endocrine disruptors, hair products may be hormonally active, but this remains unclear.Objective:To assess hormonal activity of commonly used Black hair products.Methods:We identified 6 commonly used hair products (used by >10% of the population) from the Greater New York Hair Products Study. We used reporter gene assays (RGAs) incorporating natural steroid receptors to evaluate estrogenic, androgenic, progestogenic, and glucocorticoid hormonal bioactivity employing an extraction method using bond elution prior to RGA assessment at dilutions from 50–500.Results:All products displayed hormonal activity, varying in the amount and effect. Three samples showed estrogen agonist properties at levels from 12.5–20ng/g estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQ). All but one sample showed androgen antagonist properties at levels from 20–25ng/g androgen equivalent concentrations (AEQ). Four samples showed antagonistic and agonistic properties to progesterone and glucocorticoid.Significance:Hair products commonly used by Black women showed hormonal activity. Given their frequent use, exposure to hormonally active products could have implications for health outcomes and contribute to reproductive and metabolic health disparities.

Distribution of Bisphenol A in Sediment and Suspended Matter and Its Possible Impact on Marine Life in Kaštela Bay, Adriatic Sea, Croatia

Over the last decade, bisphenol A (BPA) has become a chemical of concern in the marine environment. There is little data on BPA levels in the eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatian waters. This study provides concentrations of BPA in marine sediments and suspended matter sampled from the Kaštela Bay (the central part of the Adriatic Sea) for two years. The results obtained show that BPA in sediment samples ranged from 1.05 to 46.31 µg kg−1, while they were higher in the suspended matter, ranging from 1.84 to 81.39 µg kg−1. To demonstrate a possible correlation between BPA concentrations and other parameters in sediment and suspended matter, the granulometric composition and organic matter content were determined. There was no correlation between BPA and investigated sediment characteristics. To assess the possible effects of BPA on marine biota, its possible estrogenic effect was also investigated by calculating estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ, µg kg−1), the maximum value of which, in this study, was 0.0181 µg kg−1 in the sediment samples and 0.0317 µg kg−1 in suspended matter samples. Based on the presented results, it is unlikely that BPA could cause significant endocrine disruption to marine life in the study area.

Possible effect of submarine groundwater discharge on the pollution of coastal water: Occurrence, source, and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals in coastal groundwater and adjacent seawater influenced by reclaimed water irrigation

This study investigated occurrence, source, and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in coastal groundwater and adjacent seawater influenced by reclaimed water irrigation in a typical coastal region of China. All target EDCs were detected in coastal groundwater and reclaimed water while only estrone, bisphenol A (BPA), and nonylphenol were detected in seawater. Concentrations of BPA that was the predominant EDC in coastal groundwater ranged from 35.9 to 52.9 ng/L and estradiol was easy to accumulate in groundwater under reclaimed water irrigation. Concentrations of all target EDCs in seawater ranged from 18.9 to 30.9 ng/L, much lower than those in groundwater. Ecological risks posed by EDCs in groundwater and seawater were very high. Estrone contributed to 51.3%–62.9% of total acute risk quotients for seawater while detected 17-α-ethynylestradiol contributed to 41.1%–56.2% of total acute risk quotients for groundwater. Estradiol equivalent concentrations of target EDCs in groundwater/seawater were in the range of (3.5–7.6)/(1.4–2.3) ng/L while non-cancer risks posed by EDCs in groundwater/seawater were acceptable. Dual-isotope analysis illustrated that reclaimed water was the main source of EDCs in coastal groundwater. About 82% of EDCs was discharged into the Laizhou Bay through the submarine groundwater discharge based on the flux analysis. The pollution of the coastal groundwater through reclaimed water irrigation subsequently led to EDCs pollution of the adjacent seawater through the submarine groundwater discharge. Therefore, effective control of EDCs in reclaimed water for irrigation will be beneficial to control EDCs in groundwater and seawater of the coastal regions.

Seasonal distribution, risks, and sources of endocrine disrupting chemicals in coastal waters: Will these emerging contaminants pose potential risks in marine environment at continental-scale?

Coastal waters are the critical ecologically fragile regions under the influence of the fastest economic developing pace and the extensive anthropogenic activities in coastal zone. Little information on the seasonal distribution, risks, and sources of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which are emerging contaminants to pose potential risks at very low concentrations in coastal waters at continental-scale is available. This study investigated the coastline-based distribution, risks, and sources of target EDCs in coastal water of China. EDCs in coastal waters of China showed significant spatio-temporal variation with phenolic compounds serving as predominant EDCs. Bisphenol A (BPA) was detected in all water samples with average concentration of 449.2/186.3 ng/L in winter/summer while estrone was the main steroidal estrogen with the average concentration of 87.2/2.7 ng/L in winter/summer. EDCs in coastal waters of South China Sea Area showed higher concentrations. EDCs in coastal waters exerted high ecological risks and estrone/BPA averagely accounted for over 61%/71% of total risk quotient in winter/summer. Average estradiol equivalent concentration of all target EDCs reached 68.87/1.76 ng/L in winter/summer. EDCs in coastal waters did not pose potential non-cancer health risks for humans. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was firstly used to identify and quantify possible sources of EDCs. The PMF analysis showed that wastewater and sewage might be the main source for EDCs in coastal waters. EDCs in coastal waters showed high estradiol equivalent concentration and ecological risks at continental-scale, highlighting that EDCs contamination has become a crucial stress affecting the sustainable development of coastal regions.

Ecofriendly laccases treatment to challenge micropollutants issue in municipal wastewaters

In this study, a multidisciplinary approach investigated the enzymatic degradation of micropollutants in real, not modified, municipal wastewaters of a plant located in Italy. Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction combined to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric detection (SBSE-GC-MS) was applied to profile targeted pollutants in wastewaters collected after the primary sedimentation (W1) and the final effluent (W2). Fifteen compounds were detected at ng/L - μg/L, including pesticides, personal care products (PCPs) and drugs. The most abundant micropollutants were bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diethyl phthalate and ketoprofen. Laccases of Trametes pubescens MUT 2400 were very active against all the target micropollutants: except few cases, their concentration was reduced more than 60%. Chemical analysis and environmental risk do not always come together. To verify whether the treated wastewaters can represent a stressor for the aquatic ecosystem, toxicity was also evaluated. Raphidocelis subcapitata and Lepidium sativum tests showed a clear ecotoxicity reduction, even though they did not evenly respond. Two in vitro tests (E-screen test and MELN assay) were used to evaluate the estrogenic activity. Treatments already operating in the plant (e.g. activated sludge) partially reduced the estradiol equivalent concentration, and it was almost negligible after the laccases treatment. The results of this study suggest that laccases of T. pubescens are promising biocatalysts for the micropollutants transformation in wastewaters and surface waters.

Patterns of estrogenic activity in the Baltic Sea

Compounds such as estradiol and ethinylestradiol belong to contaminants of emerging concern, as they can disrupt the endocrine system of an organism with a hormonal system. The determination of such compounds is still challenging due to required low detection and quantification limits. Bioassays have proved to be sensitive tools for investigating the full potential of all compounds that can elicit an estrogenic response. In this study, surface water samples from different sampling sites and seasons in the Baltic Sea were analyzed for estrogenic activity with the Arxula adeninivorans yeast estrogen screen. Observed estradiol equivalent concentrations were in the range of <LOD – 0.38ngL−1. In general, a seasonal trend was observed, i.e., with an increase in water temperature in late spring, estradiol equivalent concentrations rose suddenly and decreased as abruptly when the temperature declined in autumn. An initial risk assessment shows that observed estradiol equivalent concentrations potentially affect organisms at a medium risk level based on determined risk quotients.

Occurrence, behavior and risk assessment of estrogens in surface water and sediments from Hanjiang River, Central China.

Estrogens have been widely detected in water and might pose a potential threat to the aquatic ecosystem. However, little information is available about the occurrence, multi-phase fate and potential risks of estrogens in Hanjiang River (HR). In this work, the concentration, multi-phase distribution and risk assessment of eight estrogens were studied by investigating surface water and sediment samples from HR during two seasons. These samples were analyzed using the solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The concentrations of eight estrogens were 4.5-111 ng/l in surface water and 1.7-113 ng/g dry weight in sediments. 4-nonylphenol (NP) was the predominant estrogen in both water and sediments. The estrogens showed significantly spatial variability, with the highest average concentration in the lower section of HR (p < 0.01, F > 12.21). Meanwhile, NP, 17α-estradiol (αE2), Bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tert-octyphenol (OP) in surface water exhibited higher concentrations in summer than in winter (p < 0.05, F > 4.62). The sediment-water partition coefficients of estrogens suggested that these compounds partitioned more to particulate phase. Risk assessment indicated that estriol (E3) was the main contributor to the total estradiol equivalent concentration. Moreover, estrogen mixtures could pose high ecological risks to aquatic organisms in surface water. Overall, estrogens are ubiquitous in HR, and their potential ecological risks should not be neglected.

Environmental distribution and ecotoxicological concerns of phthalic acid esters in creek ecosystem

The long-term ecological risk of synthetic organic contaminants, exclusively endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates has threatened reclaimed seawater quality in marine environment. In this study, environmental distributions of 14 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in seawater, and biota (fish and crab) across Thane Creek, Mumbai India is reported. Identification and quantifications of phthalates in environmental matrices was carried out using GC-MS technique. Abundance of phthalates in each matrix was discussed and compared with literature value. Total phthalate esters concentrations in seawaters, fish and crab samples were found to be 104.8 ± 37.8 μg L−1, 113 ± 36.4 μg g−1 and 155 ± 38 μg g−1 (dry weight) respectively. Di-n-butylphthalate (DBP) was most abundant compound among analyzed PAEs in all tested aquatic media. In situ bio-concentration factors (BCFs) were calculated for all monitored phthalates in fish and crabs and compared with log Kow values. Risk quotient and estradiol equivalent concentration were also calculated to evaluate ecological risk and estrogenic potential of seawater in terms of DBP and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The average values of total PAEs daily intake were calculated as 58.1 ± 13.6 and 79.6 ± 19.6 (µg kg–1-bw/day) for fish and crab respectively in an adult population.

Detection of estrogen active compounds in hops by planar yeast estrogen screen

Hops used in the brewing process of beer for flavoring are known to contain estrogen active compounds (EAC) and to be the source of EAC in beer. The recently developed planar yeast estrogen screen (pYES) with the substrate resorufin-β-d-galactopyranoside (RGP) successfully was applied for the detection of EAC in ethanolic extracts of hops pellet samples. The only pYES positive compound was identified as the hop flavanone prenylnaringenin (PN) by thin-layer chromatography–mass spectrometry. The heat-induced formation of estrogen active PN from the inactive hop flavonoid desmethylxanthohumol was confirmed by simulation of wort boiling, extraction of both the hops’ remainder and the supernatant water, and subsequent investigation of the extracts by pYES. By means of the dose-response curve of PN of a hops’ remainder extract, the estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ) and thus the estradiol equivalent amount (EEA) of PN in the hops’ remainder after simulation of the wort boiling was determined to 39 μg/L and 52 μg/kg, respectively.

Estrogenic Activities of Food Supplements and Beers as Assessed by a Yeast Bioreporter Assay

ABSTRACTMounting evidence of the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in humans has led to assaying a vast array of food items (processed or packaged) as possible sources of human exposure to estrogens. In this study, we investigated the current situation in this respect of different food supplements and beer brands. Eleven food supplements and 24 beer brands were obtained from Helsinki, Finland. Sample preparation was carried out by established methods while estrogenic activities were assessed by a yeast bioluminescent assay, using two recombinant yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae BMAEREluc/ERα and S. cerevisiae BMA64/luc). All the food supplements as well as 81% of the beer samples tested were found to be estrogenic, with estradiol equivalent concentrations of food supplements and beer brands ranging from 7.5 to 11.5 µg/ml and from below detection limits to 43.6 ng/ml, respectively. The estrogenic activities detected in beer samples were not dependent on the beer's alcoholic content, the country of production, or the size of the production brewery. The results of our study imply that both food supplements and beers can be a significant source of human exposure to estrogens. Therefore, further studies and regular surveillance are warranted.

Mathematical modeling for estrogenic activity prediction of 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol mixtures in wastewater treatment plants effluent.

Steroid estrogens such as 17β-Estradiol (E2) and 17α-Ethynylestradiol (EE2) are highly potent estrogens that widely detected in environmental samples. Mathematical modelling such as concentration addition (CA) and estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ) models are usually associated with measuring techniques to assess risk, predict the mixture response and evaluate the estrogenic activity of mixture. Wastewater has played a crucial role because wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is the major sources of estrogenic activity in aquatic environment. The aims of this is to determine E2 and EE2 concentrations in six WWTPs effluent, to predict the estrogenic activity of the WWTPs effluent using CA and EEQ models where lastly the effectiveness of two models is evaluated. Results showed that all the six WWTPs effluent had relative high E2 concentration (35.1-85.2 ng/L) compared to EE2 (0.02-1.0 ng/L). The estrogenic activity predicted by CA model was similar among the six WWTPs (105.4 ng/L), due to the similarity of individual dose potency ratio calculated by respective WWTPs. The predicted total EEQ was ranged from 35.1 EEQ-ng/L to 85.3 EEQ-ng/L, explained by high E2 concentration in WWTPs effluent and E2 EEF value that standardized to 1.0 μg/L. The CA model is more effective than EEQ model in estrogenic activity prediction because EEQ model used less data and causes disassociation from the predicted behavior. Although both models predicted relative high estrogenic activity in WWTPs effluent, dilution effects in receiving river may lower the estrogenic response to aquatic inhabitants.

Development and assays estradiol equivalent concentration from prawn (p-EEQ) in river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, in Taiwan

The present study established a fast and convenient bioassay method for aqueous ecosystems using the prawn estradiol equivalent concentration (p-EEQ) of male Macrobrachium nipponense, which produce vitellogenin (VTG) after exposure to xeno-estrogens. This method was then used to determine the concentrations of xeno-estrogen pollutants in the rivers of Taiwan. To establish the calibration curve for the concentrations based on the p-EEQ, the induced VTG content was determined using the alkali-labile phosphate method after male M. nipponense were exposed to 0, 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000ng/L of 17β-estradiol for 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days, respectively. The results of the experiments showed that the induced VTG content in all of the experimental groups stabilized after 10 days, except for the 10,000ng/L experimental group, in which the induced VTG content decreased after 10 days. A 17β-estradiol–VTG10day response curve was then established based on the induced VTG content in the 0, 10, 100 and 1000ng/L experimental groups at day 10. After establishing the curve, male M. nipponense were captured from the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Chuo-shui River, the Beigang River, the Jishui River, the Agongdian River and the Sichong River in Taiwan, and the VTG content in these prawns was determined. In addition, the p-EEQ in the waters was determined based on the VTG content, and the estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ) in the waters was also measured immediately after sampling using the solid-phase extraction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SPE-ELISA) method. The results showed that the p-EEQ in the middle and lower reaches of the rivers in certain parts of Taiwan ranged from 38 to 400ng/L, and the detection rate was 100%. Moreover, the EEQ ranged from 7.9 to 92.9ng/L, and the detection rate was 42.9%, indicating that most of the middle and lower reaches of the rivers in Taiwan were polluted by xeno-estrogens. The 17β-estradiol concentrations determined based on the p-EEQ were all higher than those based on the EEQ (SPE-ELISA method). The results of the present study showed that the use of M. nipponense to determine the p-EEQ in environmental waters provided advantages that included a high detection rate, high sensitivity and convenience. However, the p-EEQ cannot be used in waters that do not contain M. nipponense.

Analysis of emerging contaminants in water and solid samples using high resolution mass spectrometry with a Q Exactive orbital ion trap and estrogenic activity with YES-assay

Trace emerging contaminants (ECs) occur in both waste and surface waters that are rich in particulates that have been found to sorb several organic contaminants. An analytical method based on off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was developed for the detection and quantification of 31 ECs from surface water, wastewater, suspended particulate matter (SPM) as well as sediments. Lyophilized sediments and air-dried SPM were subjected to ultrasonic extraction. Water samples and extracts were then concentrated and cleaned-up by off-line SPE. Quantification was realized using a Q Exactive mass spectrometer in both full scan (FS) and MS2 modes. These two modes were optimized and compared to determine which one was the most suitable for each matrix studied. Yeast estrogen screen assay (YES-assay) adapted from the direct measurement of estrogenic activity without sample extraction was tested on filtered wastewater samples. An endocrine disrupting effect was detected in all effluent samples analyzed with estradiol equivalent concentrations ranging from 4.4 to 720 ng eq E2 L−1 for the WWTP-1 and 6.5–42 ng eq E2 L−1 for the WWTP-2. The analytical methods were also applied on six samples of surface water, the corresponding SPM, the sediments and thirty-nine effluent samples from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) sampled over a period of five months (February to June 2014).

Distribution and estrogenic potential of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in estuarine sediments from Mumbai, India.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are responsible for inappropriate development and they alter the hormonal and homeostatic systems of organism. Phthalates (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA) and other EDCs were monitored in surface sediments at different stations across Thane Creek, India. Analysis of PAEs was carried out using GC-MS technique, while BPA and other EDCs were analyzing on UPLC-PDA instrument. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) had the highest concentration among all fourteen analyzed phthalates ranges between 0.13 and 0.4mgkg(-1); and was detectable in all sediment samples. Strong correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.01) was observed between total organic carbon (TOC, %) and total PAEs. BPA was also detected in all samples; average BPA concentration varies from 16.3 to 35.79μgkg(-1) with mean value 25.15μgkg(-1) dry weight of sediment. Synthetic EDCs such as 4-para-nonylphenol (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) were also analyzed; and their average concentrations were founds to be 356.5 and 176μgkg(-1), respectively. Estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were the main contributors to the overall estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQs) in sediment, their average total percentage contributions is more than 90%.