An assessment of endocrine activity in Australian rivers using chemical and in vitro analyses
Author(s)
Scott, Philip D
Bartkow, Michael
Blockwell, Stephen J
Coleman, Heather M
Khan, Stuart J
Lim, Richard
McDonald, James A
Nice, Helen
Nugegoda, Dayanthi
Pettigrove, Vincent
Tremblay, Louis A
Warne, Michael St J
Leusch, Frederic DL
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2014
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Studies on endocrine disruption in Australia have mainly focused on wastewater effluents. Limited knowledge exists regarding the relative contribution of different potential sources of endocrine active compounds (EACs) to the aquatic environment (e.g., pesticide run-off, animal farming operations, urban stormwater, industrial inputs). In this study, 73 river sites across mainland Australia were sampled quarterly for 1 year. Concentrations of 14 known EACs including natural and synthetic hormones and industrial compounds were quantified by chemical analysis. EACs were detected in 88 % of samples (250 of 285) with limits of ...
View more >Studies on endocrine disruption in Australia have mainly focused on wastewater effluents. Limited knowledge exists regarding the relative contribution of different potential sources of endocrine active compounds (EACs) to the aquatic environment (e.g., pesticide run-off, animal farming operations, urban stormwater, industrial inputs). In this study, 73 river sites across mainland Australia were sampled quarterly for 1 year. Concentrations of 14 known EACs including natural and synthetic hormones and industrial compounds were quantified by chemical analysis. EACs were detected in 88 % of samples (250 of 285) with limits of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 0.05 to 20 ng/l. Bisphenol A (BPA; LOQ?=?20 ng/l) was the most frequently detected EAC (66 %) and its predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) was exceeded 24 times. The most common hormone was estrone, detected in 28 % of samples (LOQ?=?1 ng/l), and the PNEC was also exceeded 24 times. 17a-Ethinylestradiol (LOQ?=?0.05 ng/l) was detected in 10 % of samples at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.17 ng/l. It was detected in many samples with no wastewater influence, and the PNEC was exceeded 13 times. In parallel to the chemical analysis, endocrine activity was assessed using a battery of CALUX bioassays. Estrogenic activity was detected in 19 % (53 of 285) of samples (LOQ?=?0.1 ng/l 17߭estradiol equivalent; EEQ). Seven samples exhibited estrogenic activity (1-6.5 ng/l EEQ) greater than the PNEC for 17߭estradiol. Anti-progestagenic activity was detected in 16 % of samples (LOQ?=?8 ng/l mifepristone equivalents; MifEQ), but the causative compounds are unknown. With several compounds and endocrine activity exceeding PNEC values, there is potential risk to the Australian freshwater ecosystems.
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View more >Studies on endocrine disruption in Australia have mainly focused on wastewater effluents. Limited knowledge exists regarding the relative contribution of different potential sources of endocrine active compounds (EACs) to the aquatic environment (e.g., pesticide run-off, animal farming operations, urban stormwater, industrial inputs). In this study, 73 river sites across mainland Australia were sampled quarterly for 1 year. Concentrations of 14 known EACs including natural and synthetic hormones and industrial compounds were quantified by chemical analysis. EACs were detected in 88 % of samples (250 of 285) with limits of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 0.05 to 20 ng/l. Bisphenol A (BPA; LOQ?=?20 ng/l) was the most frequently detected EAC (66 %) and its predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) was exceeded 24 times. The most common hormone was estrone, detected in 28 % of samples (LOQ?=?1 ng/l), and the PNEC was also exceeded 24 times. 17a-Ethinylestradiol (LOQ?=?0.05 ng/l) was detected in 10 % of samples at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.17 ng/l. It was detected in many samples with no wastewater influence, and the PNEC was exceeded 13 times. In parallel to the chemical analysis, endocrine activity was assessed using a battery of CALUX bioassays. Estrogenic activity was detected in 19 % (53 of 285) of samples (LOQ?=?0.1 ng/l 17߭estradiol equivalent; EEQ). Seven samples exhibited estrogenic activity (1-6.5 ng/l EEQ) greater than the PNEC for 17߭estradiol. Anti-progestagenic activity was detected in 16 % of samples (LOQ?=?8 ng/l mifepristone equivalents; MifEQ), but the causative compounds are unknown. With several compounds and endocrine activity exceeding PNEC values, there is potential risk to the Australian freshwater ecosystems.
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Journal Title
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume
21
Issue
22
Funder(s)
ARC
Grant identifier(s)
LP100100163
Subject
Chemical sciences
Environmental sciences
Environmental assessment and monitoring
Biological sciences
Analytical biochemistry