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Soriano Y, Carmona E, Renovell J, Picó Y, Brack W, Krauss M, Backhaus T, Inostroza PA. Co-occurrence and spatial distribution of organic micropollutants in surface waters of the River Aconcagua and Maipo basins in Central Chile. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 954:176314. [PMID: 39306134 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Organic Micropollutants (OMPs) might pose significant risks to aquatic life and have potential toxic effects on humans. These chemicals typically occur as complex mixtures rather than individually. Information on their co-occurrence and their association with land use is largely lacking, even in industrialized countries. Furthermore, data on the presence of OMPs in freshwater ecosystems in South America is insufficient. Consequently, we assessed the co-occurrence and distribution of OMPs, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products, surfactants, and other industrial OMPs, in surface waters of two river basins in central Chile. We focused on identifying and ranking quantified chemicals, classifying their mode of actions, as well as correlating their occurrence with distinct land uses. We identified and quantified 311 compounds that occurred at least once in the River Aconcagua and River Maipo basins, encompassing compounds from urban, agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors. Pharmaceuticals were the most frequently occurring chemicals, followed by pesticides, personal care and household products. OMPs with neuroactive properties dominated surface waters in Central Chile, along with OMPs known to alter the cardiovascular and endocrine systems of humans and aquatic animals. Finally, we observed positive correlations between agricultural and urban land uses and OMPs. Our findings represent a step forward in extending current knowledge on the co-occurrence patterns of OMPs in aquatic environments, particularly in developing countries of the southern hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Soriano
- Food and Environmental Safety Research Group of the University of Valencia (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE) CSIC-GV-UV, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eric Carmona
- Department Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Javier Renovell
- Soil and water conservation system group, Desertification Research Centre-CIDE (CSIC, GV, UV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Yolanda Picó
- Food and Environmental Safety Research Group of the University of Valencia (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE) CSIC-GV-UV, Valencia, Spain
| | - Werner Brack
- Department Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pedro A Inostroza
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Inostroza PA, Soriano Y, Carmona E, Krauss M, Brack W, Backhaus T, Quiñones RA. Preliminary dataset of emerging contaminants in surface water, bottom water, porewater, and sediment: Urban and aquaculture impacts in Coliumo bay and Caucahue Channel in the central and southern coast of Chile. Data Brief 2024; 55:110593. [PMID: 38974003 PMCID: PMC11225000 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic organic chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial compounds, pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems. Despite their potential impact, data on the co-occurrence of these contaminants in multiple compartments, including surface water, bottom water, porewater, and sediment in the marine environment remains limited. Such information is critical for assessing coastal chemical status, establishing environmental quality benchmarks, and conducting comprehensive environmental risk assessments. In this study, we describe a multifaceted monitoring campaign targeting pesticides, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, additives, and plasticizers among other synthetic chemicals in four sampling sites. One site was located in the small Coliumo bay affected by urban settlements and tourism in central-south and additionally, we sampled three sites, Caucahue Channel, affected by urban settlements and salmon farming in northern Patagonia in Chile. Surface water, bottom water, porewater, and adjacent sediment samples were collected for target screening analysis in LC- and GC-HRMS platforms. Our results show the detection of up to 83 chemicals in surface water, 71 in bottom water, 101 in porewater, and 244 in sediments. To enhance data utility and reuse potential, we provide valuable information on the mode of action and molecular targets of the identified chemicals. This comprehensive dataset contributes to defining pollution fingerprints in coastal areas of the Global South, including remote regions in Patagonia. It serves as a critical resource for future research including marine chemical risk assessment, policymaking, and the advancement of environmental protection in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Inostroza
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yolanda Soriano
- Food and Environmental Safety Research Group of the University of Valencia (SAMA-UV), Desertification Research Centre (CIDE) CSIC-GV-UV, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eric Carmona
- Department Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Renato A. Quiñones
- Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), University of Concepcion, Concepción, Chile
- Departamento de Oceanografía, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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Inostroza PA, Elgueta S, Muz M, Krauss M, Brack W, Backhaus T. Dataset comprising pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and industrial chemicals detected in streams and rivers of Central Chile. Data Brief 2023; 50:109600. [PMID: 37780467 PMCID: PMC10539885 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemical pollution caused by synthetic organic chemicals at low concentrations in the environment poses a growing threat to the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. These chemicals are regularly released into surface waters through both treated and untreated effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), agricultural runoff, and industrial discharges. Consequently, they accumulate in surface waters, distribute amongst environmental compartments according to their physicochemical properties, and cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data regarding the occurrence of synthetic organic chemicals, henceforth micropollutants, in South American freshwater ecosystems, especially in Chile. To address this research gap, we present a comprehensive dataset comprising concentrations of 153 emerging chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), surfactants, and industrial chemicals. These chemicals were found to co-occur in surface waters within Central Chile, specifically in the River Aconcagua Basin. Our sampling strategy involved collecting surface water samples from streams and rivers with diverse land uses, such as agriculture, urban areas, and natural reserves. For sample extraction, we employed an on-site large-volume solid phase extraction (LVSPE) device. The resulting environmental extracts were then subjected to wide-scope chemical target screening using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC- and LC-HRMS). The dataset we present holds significant value in assessing the chemical status of water bodies. It enables comparative analysis of pollution fingerprints associated with emerging chemicals across different freshwater systems. Moreover, the data can be reused for environmental risk assessment studies. Its utilisation will contribute to a better understanding of the impact and extent of chemical pollution in aquatic ecosystems, facilitating the development of effective mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Inostroza
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Elgueta
- Núcleo en Ciencias Ambientales y Alimentarias (NCAA), Universidad de las Américas, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de las Américas, Sede Providencia, Chile
| | - Melis Muz
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Zhou S, Schulze T, Brack W, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Spatial and temporal variations in anti-androgenic activity and environmental risk in a small river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158622. [PMID: 36084781 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of multiple compounds have been widely investigated in aquatic environments. However, investigations of spatial and temporal variations in biological effects are rarely performed because they are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, the variability of the anti-androgen, receptor-mediated activity of surface water samples was observed over 3 years using in vitro bioassays. Large-volume water samples were collected at one site upstream (Wer site) and two sites downstream (Sil and Nien sites) of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall in the Holtemme River. Anti-AR activity was persistently present in all surface water samples over the three years. Large spatial variations in anti-androgenic activity were observed, with the lowest activity at the Wer site (mean concentration of 9.5 ± 7.2 μg flutamide equivalents/L) and the highest activity at the Sil site (mean concentration of 31.1 ± 12.0 μg flutamide equivalents/L) directly influenced by WWTP effluents. On the temporal scale, no distinct trend for anti-AR activity was observed among the seasons in all three years. The anti-androgenic activity at the upstream Wer site showed a decreasing trend from 2014 to 2016, indicating improved water quality. A novel bioanalytical-equivalent-based risk assessment method considering the frequency of risk occurrence was developed and then utilized to assess the environmental risk of anti-androgenic activity in the Holtemme River. The results revealed that the highest risk was present at the Sil site, while the risk was considerably reduced at the Nien site. The risk at the upstream Wer site was the lowest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangbo Zhou
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Tobias Schulze
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets, Rotthauser Str. 21, 45879 Gelsenkirchen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Lee J, Schlichting R, König M, Scholz S, Krauss M, Escher BI. Monitoring Mixture Effects of Neurotoxicants in Surface Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents with Neurite Outgrowth Inhibition in SH-SY5Y Cells. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2022; 2:523-535. [PMID: 37101724 PMCID: PMC10125335 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.2c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based assays covering environmentally relevant modes of action are widely used for water quality monitoring. However, no high-throughput assays are available for testing developmental neurotoxicity of water samples. We implemented an assay that quantifies neurite outgrowth, which is one of the neurodevelopmental key events, and cell viability in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells using imaging techniques. We used this assay for testing of extracts of surface water collected in agricultural areas during rain events and effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where more than 200 chemicals had been quantified. Forty-one chemicals were tested individually that were suspected to contribute to the mixture effects among the detected chemicals in environmental samples. Sample sensitivity distributions indicated higher neurotoxicity for surface water samples than for effluents, and the endpoint of neurite outgrowth inhibition was six times more sensitive than cytotoxicity in the surface water samples and only three times more sensitive in the effluent samples. Eight environmental pollutants showed high specificity, and those ranged from pharmaceuticals (mebendazole and verapamil) to pesticides (methiocarb and clomazone), biocides (1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one), and industrial chemicals (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin, and 2-(4-morpholinyl)benzothiazole). Although neurotoxic effects were newly detected for some of our test chemicals, less than 1% of the measured effects were explained by the detected and toxicologically characterized chemicals. The neurotoxicity assay was benchmarked against other bioassays: activations of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor were similar in sensitivity, highly sensitive and did not differ much between the two water types, with surface water having slightly higher effects than the WWTP effluent. Oxidative stress response mirrored neurotoxicity quite well but was caused by different chemicals in the two water types. Overall, the new cell-based neurotoxicity assay is a valuable complement to the existing battery of effect-based monitoring tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungeun Lee
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rita Schlichting
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria König
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Scholz
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
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