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Argolo ADS, Gomes G, Bila DM. (Anti)estrogenic activity impacted by complex environmental matrices: A DOM and multiphase distribution approach. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 310:136917. [PMID: 36272630 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136917] [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: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The presence of estrogenic endocrine disruptors in aquatic environments has been a concern and bioassays are recommended tools for their monitoring. However, the physicochemical properties of contaminants and the environmental matrix features may influence the resultant response. This study aimed to assess this influence on the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) assay. Mixtures of 17β-estradiol (E2) and humic acid (HA) were evaluated through the Schild approach aiming to investigate the interactions between estrogens and dissolved organic matter (DOM). Moreover, environmental samples from municipal landfill leachate and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influents and effluents were screened for (anti)estrogenic activity at both dissolved and particulate phases. Finally, results were statistically confronted with physicochemical parameters through principal component analysis (PCA). The HA test concentrations strongly reduced the E2 response, even at low levels. Humic substances may not only reduce estrogen bioavailability, but also interfere with the assay mechanism through enzymatic inhibition thus masking the sample estrogenic potential. Landfill leachate had total E2-Eq in the range 1282-2591 ng L-1, while WWTP influent and effluent were in the range 12.1-41.4 and <DL-2.3 ng L-1, so estrogenicity was reduced 92% in average. Particulate phase was responsible for 33-100% of measured E2-Eq between matrices, though cytotoxicity occurred in some extracts. Antiestrogenic activity was observed in both phases and might also have masked the estrogenicity of samples. PCA did not resulted in positive correlations supporting a multiphase distribution pattern of estrogenic compounds. Nevertheless, the solids and organic matter characteristics supported the data interpretation. In conclusion, the in vitro YES assay is subjected to factors intrinsic to the environmental sample that can influence on the measured estrogenic response. Therefore, results interpretation should be performed together with organic matter characterization parameters, cytotoxicity and antiestrogenic activity evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Dos Santos Argolo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Giselle Gomes
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniele Maia Bila
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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2
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Kruger A, Pieters R, Horn S, van Zijl C, Aneck-Hahn N. The role of effect-based methods to address water quality monitoring in South Africa: a developing country's struggle. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:84049-84055. [PMID: 36229735 PMCID: PMC9646548 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23534-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Water is an important resource, and it is a worldwide struggle to provide water of good quality to the whole population. Despite good governing laws and guidelines set in place to help protect the water resources and ensure it is of good quality for various consumers, the water quality in South Africa is worsening due to lack of management. The deteriorating infrastructure is becoming progressively worse, due to corruption and insufficient funds. The ever-increasing number of toxicants, as well as the identification of emerging chemicals of concern, are also challenges South Africa is facing. Chemical analysis cannot determine the total biological effect of a mixture of chemical compounds, but this shortcoming can be addressed by adding effect-based methods (EBMs) to water quality monitoring programmes. In this paper, the current status of water quality monitoring in South Africa is discussed, as well as the capacity of the country to add EBMs to its water quality monitoring programmes to protect and improve human and animal life. Created in Biorender.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Kruger
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Rialet Pieters
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Suranie Horn
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Catherina van Zijl
- Environmental Chemical Pollution and Health Research Unit, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Natalie Aneck-Hahn
- Environmental Chemical Pollution and Health Research Unit, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Gomes FBR, Fernandes PAA, Bottrel SEC, Brandt EMF, Pereira RDO. Fate, occurrence, and removal of estrogens in livestock wastewaters. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 86:814-833. [PMID: 36038979 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
During the last decades, livestock and animal feeding operations have been expanded. In parallel, these activities are among the major sources of estrogens in the environment. Thus, considering the environmental and health risks associated with estrogenic compounds, this work reviews the fate, occurrence, and removal of free and conjugated E1, E2, and E3 in livestock wastewaters. A systematic literature review was carried out, and after applying the eligibility criteria, 66 peer-reviewed papers were selected. Results suggest high estrogen concentrations and, consequently, high estrogenic activity, especially in samples from swine farming. E1 and E2 are frequently found in wastewaters from bovine, swine, and other livestock effluents. Aerobic treatment processes were more efficient for estrogen removal, whereas anaerobic systems seem poorly effective. Removal efficiencies of estrogens and estrogenic activity of up to 90% were reported for constructed wetlands, advanced pond systems, trickling filters, membrane bioreactors, aerated and nitrifying reactors, combined air flotation, and vegetable oil capture processes. High concentrations found in wastewaters from livestock allied to the removal efficiencies reported for anaerobic processes (usually used to treat livestock wastewaters) evidence the importance of monitoring these compounds in environmental matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Bento Rosa Gomes
- Civil Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil E-mail:
| | - Pedro Antônio Alves Fernandes
- Department of Sanitary and vpEnvironmental Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Sue Ellen Costa Bottrel
- Civil Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil E-mail: ; Department of Sanitary and vpEnvironmental Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Emanuel Manfred Freire Brandt
- Civil Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil E-mail:
| | - Renata de Oliveira Pereira
- Civil Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil E-mail: ; Department of Sanitary and vpEnvironmental Engineering, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Jose Lourenço Kelmer s/n, Campus UFJF, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
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Klein K, Hof D, Dombrowski A, Schweyen P, Dierkes G, Ternes T, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Oehlmann J. Enhanced in vitro toxicity of plastic leachates after UV irradiation. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 199:117203. [PMID: 34004441 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastics can release numerous chemicals and thereby, contribute to the chemical pollution in aquatic systems. To which extent environmental degradation processes influence the release of plastic chemicals, is currently unknown and subject of research. We therefore evaluated aqueous leachates of 12 differently formulated plastics (e.g., pre-production, post-industrial and recycled pellets as well as final products) using in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis via LC-HRMS nontarget approach. We weathered these plastics by UV irradiation (UV-C and UV-A/B) under laboratory conditions in dryness and a subsequent leaching period in ultrapure water ('atmospheric' weathering) or directly in water ('aquatic' weathering, UV-A/Baq). A dark control (DC) without UV light served as a reference treatment. Some plastics triggered several toxicological endpoints (low-density polyethylene recyclate (LDPE-R), starch blend (SB), bio-based polybutylene succinate (Bio-PBS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), whereas others caused little to no effects (polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and LDPE). UV irradiation enhanced the plastics' toxicity, even for samples initially evaluated as toxicologically inconspicuous. The plastic samples caused oxidative stress (85%), baseline toxicity (42%), antiestrogenicity (40%) and antiandrogenicity (27%). Positive findings were measured after UV-C (63%) and UV-A/Baq (50%) treatments, followed by UV-A/B (48%) and DC (33%). Overall, we detected between 42 (DC) and 2896 (UV-A/Baq) chemical compounds. Our study demonstrates that differently formulated plastics leach toxic chemicals. UV exacerbates the plastics' toxicity by either generating active compounds and/or by facilitating their release. UV light even leads to the release of bioactive compounds from plastics of low chemical complexity. To prevent the exposure to plastic-associated chemicals, the application of chemicals could be reduced to a minimum, while on a regulatory level the evaluation of plastic eluates could be another focal point next to singular compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Klein
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Delia Hof
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrea Dombrowski
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Schweyen
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Georg Dierkes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Thomas Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schulte-Oehlmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Ihara M, Zhang H, Ihara MO, Kato D, Tanaka H. Proposal for fluorescence-based in vitro assay using human and zebrafish monoamine transporters to detect biological activities of antidepressants in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:144665. [PMID: 33513512 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144665] [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: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Antidepressants are among the most commonly detected pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. As they modulate neurotransmission in nervous systems, behavioural abnormalities among aquatic species are of concern. It is possible to measure the concentrations of selected antidepressants by chemical analysis, but other non-target antidepressants and active metabolites might also be present. Here, we propose an "in vitro monoamine transporter inhibition assay" to measure the biological activity of antidepressants, particularly monoamine transporter inhibitors, in wastewater. We used APP, a fluorescent substrate for monoamine transporters, to measure the activity of wastewater extracts at inhibiting APP uptake through the human serotonin transporter (hSERT), norepinephrine transporter (hNET), and dopamine transporter, and the zebrafish SERT (zSERT). We confirmed that the assay could measure the biological activity of test antidepressants. Interestingly, the IC50 values of antidepressants (the concentration that gave a 50% reduction of APP uptake) for the zSERT were smaller than those for the hSERT. For example, IC50 value of desipramine for the zSERT was 1/200 of that for the hSERT. These results indicate that antidepressants inhibited zSERT more strongly than hSERT. Then we applied the assay to extracts of effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants and detected biological activity of antidepressants specifically against the hSERT, hNET, and zSERT for the first time. For the hSERT, antidepressant-equivalent quantities (EQs) ranged from 2.2 × 101 to 2.5 × 102 ng-clomipramine-EQ/L. For the hNET, EQs ranged from below limit of detection to 8.2 × 101 ng-desipramine-EQ/L. For the zSERT, EQs ranged from 2.8 × 102 to 3.3 × 102 ng-duloxetine-EQ/L. The in vitro monoamine transporter inhibition assay is thus useful for measuring the biological activity of antidepressants in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Ihara
- Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University, 1-2 Yumihama, Otsu, Shiga 520-0811, Japan.
| | - Han Zhang
- Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University, 1-2 Yumihama, Otsu, Shiga 520-0811, Japan
| | - Mariko O Ihara
- Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University, 1-2 Yumihama, Otsu, Shiga 520-0811, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kato
- Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University, 1-2 Yumihama, Otsu, Shiga 520-0811, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tanaka
- Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University, 1-2 Yumihama, Otsu, Shiga 520-0811, Japan
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6
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Argolo ADS, Gomes G, Bila DM. Insights into total estrogenic activity in a sewage-impacted urban stream assessed via ER transcriptional activation assay: Distribution between particulate and dissolved phases. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111574. [PMID: 33396100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111574] [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: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) are exogenous substances that can potentially mimic hormonal substances and cause adverse effects on the endocrine system of living beings. The behavior and fate of these compounds in the environment is directly related to their physical-chemical properties, which indicate great affinity for solid and organic particles and suggest an inherent mechanism of fractionation between dissolved and particulate phases of aqueous matrices. However, few studies have been considering this fact when quantifying these pollutants and their effects through bioassays. In this study, the fractionation of estrogenic substances between dissolved and particulate phases in an urban stream was investigated via estrogenic activity evaluation by the YES assay. Two fractions of suspended solids (< 0.7 µm and between 0.45 and 0.7 µm) and the dissolved phase were considered and two approaches of SPE percolations were applied. Total estradiol equivalent (E2-Eq) values were observed in the 29-65 ng L-1 range, of which 35-62% were associated with the particulate phase. Most of the estrogenicity was associated with particles between 0.45 and 0.7 µm, whereas cytotoxicity was induced by extracts of particles greater than 0.7 µm. Results demonstrated the importance of solid fractions analysis towards the quantification of total estrogenic activity from aqueous environmental matrices and highlights the relevance of controlling fine suspended solids in sewage treatment plant effluents, regarding the control of endocrine disrupters in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Dos Santos Argolo
- Rio de Janeiro State University, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Giselle Gomes
- Rio de Janeiro State University, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniele Maia Bila
- Rio de Janeiro State University, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Neale PA, Grimaldi M, Boulahtouf A, Leusch FDL, Balaguer P. Assessing species-specific differences for nuclear receptor activation for environmental water extracts. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 185:116247. [PMID: 32758789 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In vitro bioassays are increasingly applied to detect endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental waters. Most studies use human nuclear receptor assays, but this raises questions about their relevance for evaluating ecosystem health. The current study aimed to assess species-specific differences in the activation or inhibition of a range of human and zebrafish nuclear receptors by different water extracts. Wastewater and surface water extracts were run in transactivation assays indicative of the estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), progesterone receptor (PR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), pregnane X receptor (PXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). The transactivation assays were complemented with competitive binding assays for human AR, GR, PR and MR. In most cases, both human and zebrafish nuclear receptor activity were detected in the water extracts. Only some species-specific differences in potency and activity were observed. Water extracts were more active in zebrafish PXR compared to human PXR whereas the opposite was observed for PPARγ. Further, all water extracts inhibited zebrafish PR, while only one extract showed weak anti-progestagenic activity for human PR. Due to these observed differences, zebrafish nuclear receptor assays may be preferable over human nuclear receptor assays to assess the potential risks of EDCs to aquatic organisms. However, recognizing issues with availability of zebrafish nuclear receptor assays and the relatively small differences in responsiveness for many of the human and zebrafish nuclear receptors, including the widely studied ER, the current study supports the continued use of human nuclear receptor assays for water quality monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, 4222, Australia.
| | - Marina Grimaldi
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier 1, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Abdelhay Boulahtouf
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier 1, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, 4222, Australia
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier 1, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
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8
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Recent developments and concepts of effect-based methods for the detection of endocrine activity and the importance of antagonistic effects. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Abbas A, Schneider I, Bollmann A, Funke J, Oehlmann J, Prasse C, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Seitz W, Ternes T, Weber M, Wesely H, Wagner M. What you extract is what you see: Optimising the preparation of water and wastewater samples for in vitro bioassays. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 152:47-60. [PMID: 30660097 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of water quality is crucial for safeguarding drinking water resources and ecosystem integrity. To this end, sample preparation and extraction is critically important, especially when investigating emerging contaminants and the toxicity of water samples. As extraction methods are rarely optimised for bioassays but rather adopted from chemical analysis, this may result in a misrepresentation of the actual toxicity. In this study, surface water, groundwater, hospital and municipal wastewater were used to characterise the impacts of common sample preparation techniques (acidification, filtration and solid phase extraction (SPE)) on the outcomes of eleven in vitro bioassays. The latter covered endocrine activity (reporter gene assays for estrogen, androgen, aryl-hydrocarbon, retinoic acid, retinoid X, vitamin D, thyroid receptor), mutagenicity (Ames fluctuation test), genotoxicity (umu test) and cytotoxicity. Water samples extracted using different SPE sorbents (Oasis HLB, Supelco ENVI-Carb+, Telos C18/ENV) at acidic and neutral pH were compared for their performance in recovering biological effects. Acidification, commonly used for stabilisation, significantly altered the endocrine activity and toxicity of most (waste)water samples. Sample filtration did not affect the majority of endpoints but in certain cases affected the (anti-)estrogenic and dioxin-like activities. SPE extracts (10.4 × final concentration), including WWTP effluents, induced significant endocrine effects that were not detected in aqueous samples (0.63 × final concentration), such as estrogenic, (anti-)androgenic and dioxin-like activities. When ranking the SPE methods using multivariate Pareto optimisation an extraction with Telos C18/ENV at pH 7 was most effective in recovering toxicity. At the same time, these extracts were highly cytotoxic masking the endpoint under investigation. Compared to that, extraction at pH 2.5 enriched less cytotoxicity. In summary, our study demonstrates that sample preparation and extraction critically affect the outcome of bioassays when assessing the toxicity of water samples. Depending on the water matrix and the bioassay, these methods need to be optimised to accurately assess water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aennes Abbas
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Ilona Schneider
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Anna Bollmann
- Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung, Am Spitzigen Berg 1, D-89129, Langenau, Germany
| | - Jan Funke
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasser Beratungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Moritzstraße 26, D-45476, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carsten Prasse
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ulrike Schulte-Oehlmann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wolfram Seitz
- Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung, Am Spitzigen Berg 1, D-89129, Langenau, Germany
| | - Thomas Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Marcus Weber
- Department of Numerical Analysis and Modelling, Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum für Informationstechnik Berlin (ZIB), Takustraße 7, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Wesely
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
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10
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Neale PA, Leusch FDL, Escher BI. What is driving the NF-κB response in environmental water extracts? CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 210:645-652. [PMID: 30031348 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In vitro bioassays are increasingly applied for water quality monitoring, with assays indicative of adaptive stress responses commonly included in test batteries. The NF-κB assay is responsive to surface water and wastewater extracts, but the causative compounds are unknown and micropollutants typically found in water do not activate the NF-κB assay. The current study aimed to investigate if co-extracted organic matter and/or endotoxins could cause the NF-κB response in surface water extracts. The effect of model bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was evaluated in the NF-κB assay both before and after solid-phase extraction (SPE), with 7% effect recovery for LPS and between 7 and 52% effect recovery for DOC observed. The NF-κB response, endotoxin activity, micropollutant concentration and total organic carbon concentration was measured in four surface water extracts. All water extracts showed a response in the NF-κB assay, but the detected micropollutants could not explain the effect. Comparison of predicted bioanalytical equivalent concentrations based on micropollutant, DOC and endotoxin concentrations in surface water with experimental bioanalytical equivalent concentrations suggest that co-extracted endotoxins are the most important drivers of the observed effect, with DOC only having a minor contribution. While in vitro bioassays typically detect mixtures of organic micropollutants, the current study shows that the NF-κB assay can integrate the effects of co-extracted endotoxins. Given that endotoxins can pose a risk for human health, the NF-κB assay is a valuable inclusion in bioanalytical test batteries used for water quality monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport QLD 4222, Australia; The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport QLD 4222, Australia; The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), Woolloongabba QLD 4102, Australia; UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Environmental Toxicology, Center for Applied Geoscience, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
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11
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Ma L, Yates SR. Dissolved organic matter and estrogen interactions regulate estrogen removal in the aqueous environment: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 640-641:529-542. [PMID: 29874629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the characterization and quantification of interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and estrogens as well as the effects of DOM on aquatic estrogen removal. DOM interacts with estrogens via binding or sorption mechanisms like π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding. The binding affinity is evaluated in terms of organic-carbon-normalized sorption coefficient (Log KOC) which varies with types and composition of DOM. DOM has been suggested to be a more efficient sorbent compared with other matrices, such as suspended particulate matter, sediment and soil; likely associated with its large surface area and concentrated carbon content. As a photosensitizer, DOM enhanced estrogen photodegradation when the concentration of DOM was below a threshold value, and when above, the acceleration effect was not observed. DOM played a dual role in affecting biodegradation of estrogens depending on the recalcitrance of the DOM and the nutrition status of the degraders. DOM also acted as an electron shuttle (redox mediator) mediating the degradation of estrogens. DOM hindered enzyme-catalyzed removal of estrogens while enhanced their transformation during the simultaneous photo-enzymatic process. Membrane rejection of estrogens was pronounced for hydrophobic DOM with high aromaticity and phenolic moiety content. Elimination of estrogens via photolysis, biodegradation, enzymolysis and membrane rejection in the presence of DOM is initiated by sorption, accentuating the role of DOM as a mediator in regulating aquatic estrogen removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States; Contaminant Fate and Transport Unit, Salinity Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Riverside, California 92507, United States
| | - Scott R Yates
- Contaminant Fate and Transport Unit, Salinity Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Riverside, California 92507, United States.
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Rosenmai AK, Niss F, Mandava G, Lundqvist J, Oskarsson A. Impact of natural organic matter in water on in vitro bioactivity assays. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 200:209-216. [PMID: 29486360 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Surface water can be contaminated with pollutants from multiple sources and contain a vast number of various chemicals. In vitro bioassays are valuable tools to assess the total bioactivity of micropollutants in water samples. Besides anthropogenic chemicals, natural organic matter (NOM) is ubiquitous in water, which also may have an impact on the bioactivity in water samples. In the present study we investigated concentration-dependent effects of Nordic Aquatic fulvic acid (NA-FA) and Nordic reservoir NOM (NR-NOM) on bioactivity measured by a panel of luciferase reporter gene assays. The assays included measurements of both induction of activities and inhibition of induced activation on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, and on the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activity as a marker of oxidative stress. At non-cytotoxic concentrations both NA-FA and NR-NOM induced AhR activity, inhibited AR activity with and without the known inducer dihydrotestosterone, inhibited Nrf2 activity, and NR-NOM induced ER activity. The results indicate that the presence of NOM in water samples may lead to false positive results for AhR activity and false positive results for AR and Nrf2 activity, when assessing inhibition of induced bioactivities from anthropogenic substances. We have demonstrated that NA-FA and NR-NOM have an impact on in vitro bioactivities and conclude that the impact of NOM in water should be considered in the evaluation of results from bioactivity assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kjerstine Rosenmai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Frida Niss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Geeta Mandava
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Lundqvist
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Agneta Oskarsson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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13
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Scott PD, Coleman HM, Khan S, Lim R, McDonald JA, Mondon J, Neale PA, Prochazka E, Tremblay LA, Warne MSJ, Leusch FDL. Histopathology, vitellogenin and chemical body burden in mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) sampled from six river sites receiving a gradient of stressors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 616-617:1638-1648. [PMID: 29079092 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
There are over 40,000 chemical compounds registered for use in Australia, and only a handful are monitored in the aquatic receiving environments. Their effects on fish species in Australia are largely unknown. Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) were sampled from six river sites in Southeast Queensland identified as at risk from a range of pollutants. The sites selected were downstream of a wastewater treatment plant discharge, a landfill, two agricultural areas, and two sites in undeveloped reaches within or downstream of protected lands (national parks). Vitellogenin analysis, histopathology of liver, kidney and gonads, morphology of the gonopodium, and chemical body burden were measured to characterize fish health. Concentrations of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in water were analyzed by in vitro bioassays and chemical analysis. Estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, anti-androgenic, progestagenic and anti-progestagenic activities and TrOCs were detected in multiple water samples. Several active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), industrial compounds, pesticides and other endocrine active compounds were detected in fish carcasses at all sites, ranging from <4-4700ng/g wet weight, including the two undeveloped sites. While vitellogenin protein was slightly increased in fish from two of the six sites, the presence of micropollutants did not cause overt sexual endocrine disruption in mosquitofish (i.e., no abnormal gonads or gonopodia). A correlation between lipid accumulation in the liver with total body burden warrants further investigation to determine if exposure to low concentrations of TrOCs can affect fish health and increase stress on organs such as the liver and kidneys via other mechanisms, including disruption of non-sexual endocrine axes involved in lipid regulation and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip D Scott
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Heather M Coleman
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stuart Khan
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Richard Lim
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - James A McDonald
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Julie Mondon
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Victoria 3280, Australia
| | - Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Erik Prochazka
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Louis A Tremblay
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax St. East, Nelson 7042, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Michael St J Warne
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Queensland 4222, Australia; Water Quality and Investigations, Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Queensland Government, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Queensland 4222, Australia.
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14
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Giebner S, Ostermann S, Straskraba S, Oetken M, Oehlmann J, Wagner M. Effectivity of advanced wastewater treatment: reduction of in vitro endocrine activity and mutagenicity but not of in vivo reproductive toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:3965-3976. [PMID: 27596589 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have a limited capacity to eliminate micropollutants. One option to improve this is tertiary treatment. Accordingly, the WWTP Eriskirch at the German river Schussen has been upgraded with different combinations of ozonation, sand, and granulated activated carbon filtration. In this study, the removal of endocrine and genotoxic effects in vitro and reproductive toxicity in vivo was assessed in a 2-year long-term monitoring. All experiments were performed with aqueous and solid-phase extracted water samples. Untreated wastewater affected several endocrine endpoints in reporter gene assays. The conventional treatment removed the estrogenic and androgenic activity by 77 and 95 %, respectively. Nevertheless, high anti-estrogenic activities and reproductive toxicity persisted. All advanced treatment technologies further reduced the estrogenic activities by additional 69-86 % compared to conventional treatment, resulting in a complete removal of up to 97 %. In the Ames assay, we detected an ozone-induced mutagenicity, which was removed by subsequent filtration. This demonstrates that a post treatment to ozonation is needed to minimize toxic oxidative transformation products. In the reproduction test with the mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a decreased number of embryos was observed for all wastewater samples. This indicates that reproductive toxicants were eliminated by neither the conventional nor the advanced treatment. Furthermore, aqueous samples showed higher anti-estrogenic and reproductive toxicity than extracted samples, indicating that the causative compounds are not extractable or were lost during extraction. This underlines the importance of the adequate handling of wastewater samples. Taken together, this study demonstrates that combinations of multiple advanced technologies reduce endocrine effects in vitro. However, they did not remove in vitro anti-estrogenicity and in vivo reproductive toxicity. This implies that a further optimization of advanced wastewater treatment is needed that goes beyond combining available technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Giebner
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Sina Ostermann
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Straskraba
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Oetken
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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15
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Gehrmann L, Bielak H, Behr M, Itzel F, Lyko S, Simon A, Kunze G, Dopp E, Wagner M, Tuerk J. (Anti-)estrogenic and (anti-)androgenic effects in wastewater during advanced treatment: comparison of three in vitro bioassays. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:4094-4104. [PMID: 27397028 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7165-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are mainly discharged into the environment by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and are known to induce adverse effects in aquatic life. Advanced treatment with ozone successfully removes such organic micropollutants, but an increase of estrogenic effects after the ozonation of hospital wastewater was observed in previous studies. In order to investigate this effect, estrogenic and androgenic as well as anti-estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities were observed during treatment of hospital wastewater using three different effect-based reporter gene bioassays. Despite different matrix influences, sensitivities, and test-specific properties, all assays used obtained comparable results. Estrogenic and androgenic activities were mainly reduced during the biological treatment and further removed during ozonation and sand filtration, resulting in non-detectable agonistic activities in the final effluent. An increased estrogenic activity after ozonation could not be observed in this study. Antagonistic effects were removed in the biological treatment by up to 50 % without further reduction in the advanced treatment. Due to the presence of antagonistic substances within the wastewater, masking effects were probable. Therefore, this study showed the relevance of antagonistic activities at hospital WWTPs and illustrates the need for a better understanding about antagonistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Gehrmann
- Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Helena Bielak
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung gemeinnützige GmbH, Moritzstr. 26, 45476, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Maximilian Behr
- Abteilung Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Fabian Itzel
- Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Sven Lyko
- Emschergenossenschaft/Lippeverband (EG/LV), Kronprinzenstraße 24, 45128, Essen, Germany
| | - Anne Simon
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung gemeinnützige GmbH, Moritzstr. 26, 45476, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Gotthard Kunze
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, Corrensstr. 3, 06466, Stadt Seeland, Germany
| | - Elke Dopp
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung gemeinnützige GmbH, Moritzstr. 26, 45476, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 2, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Abteilung Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jochen Tuerk
- Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229, Duisburg, Germany.
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 2, 45117, Essen, Germany.
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16
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Leusch FDL, Aneck-Hahn NH, Cavanagh JAE, Du Pasquier D, Hamers T, Hebert A, Neale PA, Scheurer M, Simmons SO, Schriks M. Comparison of in vitro and in vivo bioassays to measure thyroid hormone disrupting activity in water extracts. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 191:868-875. [PMID: 29107228 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental chemicals can induce thyroid disruption through a number of mechanisms including altered thyroid hormone biosynthesis and transport, as well as activation and inhibition of the thyroid receptor. In the current study six in vitro bioassays indicative of different mechanisms of thyroid disruption and one whole animal in vivo assay were applied to 9 model compounds and 4 different water samples (treated wastewater, surface water, drinking water and ultra-pure lab water; both unspiked and spiked with model compounds) to determine their ability to detect thyroid active compounds. Most assays correctly identified and quantified the model compounds as agonists or antagonists, with the reporter gene assays being the most sensitive. However, the reporter gene assays did not detect significant thyroid activity in any of the water samples, suggesting that activation or inhibition of the thyroid hormone receptor is not a relevant mode of action for thyroid endocrine disruptors in water. The thyroperoxidase (TPO) inhibition assay and transthyretin (TTR) displacement assay (FITC) detected activity in the surface water and treated wastewater samples, but more work is required to assess if this activity is a true measure of thyroid activity or matrix interference. The whole animal Xenopus Embryonic Thyroid Assay (XETA) detected some activity in the unspiked surface water and treated wastewater extracts, but not in unspiked drinking water, and appears to be a suitable assay to detect thyroid activity in environmental waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia.
| | - Natalie H Aneck-Hahn
- Environmental Chemical Pollution and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Timo Hamers
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department Environment & Health, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Armelle Hebert
- Veolia Research & Innovation, 78600, Maisons-Laffitte, France
| | - Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - Marco Scheurer
- DVGW - Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str.84, 76139, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Steven O Simmons
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, United States
| | - Merijn Schriks
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; Vitens Drinking Water Company, 8019 BE, Zwolle, The Netherlands
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17
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Völker J, Vogt T, Castronovo S, Wick A, Ternes TA, Joss A, Oehlmann J, Wagner M. Extended anaerobic conditions in the biological wastewater treatment: Higher reduction of toxicity compared to target organic micropollutants. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 116:220-230. [PMID: 28340420 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Extended anaerobic conditions during biological wastewater treatment may enhance the biodegradation of micropollutants. To explore this, we combined iron-reducing or substrate-limited anaerobic conditions and aerobic pilot-scale reactors directly at a wastewater treatment plant. To investigate the detoxification by these processes, we applied two in vitro bioassays for baseline toxicity (Microtox) and reactive toxicity (AREc32) as well as in vivo bioassays with aquatic model species in two laboratory experiments (Desmodesmus subspicatus, Daphnia magna) and two on-site, flow-through experiments (Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Lumbriculus variegatus). Moreover, we analyzed 31 commonly occurring micropollutants and 10 metabolites. The baseline toxicity of raw wastewater was effectively removed in full-scale and reactor scale activated sludge treatment (>85%), while the oxidative stress response was only partially removed (>61%). A combination of an anaerobic pre-treatment under iron reducing conditions and an aerobic nitrification significantly further reduced the residual in vitro toxicities by 46-60% and outperformed the second combination consisting of an aerobic pre-treatment and an anaerobic post-treatment under substrate-limiting conditions (27-43%). Exposure to effluents of the activated sludge treatment did not induce adverse in vivo effects in aquatic invertebrates. Accordingly, no further improvement in water quality could be observed. Compared to that, the removal of persistent micropollutants was increased. However, this observation was restricted to a limited number of compounds and the removal of the sum concentration of all target micropollutants was relative low (14-17%). In conclusion, combinations of strictly anaerobic and aerobic processes significantly enhanced the removal of specific and non-specific in vitro toxicities. Thus, an optimization of biological wastewater treatment can lead to a substantially improved detoxification. These otherwise hidden capacities of a treatment technology can only be uncovered by a complementary biological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Völker
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Tobias Vogt
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandro Castronovo
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Arne Wick
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Adriano Joss
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
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18
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Leusch FDL, Neale PA, Hebert A, Scheurer M, Schriks MCM. Analysis of the sensitivity of in vitro bioassays for androgenic, progestagenic, glucocorticoid, thyroid and estrogenic activity: Suitability for drinking and environmental waters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 99:120-130. [PMID: 28017361 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the aquatic environment poses a risk for ecosystem health. Consequently there is a need for sensitive tools, such as in vitro bioassays, to monitor endocrine activity in environmental waters. The aim of the current study was to assess whether current in vitro bioassays are suitable to detect endocrine activity in a range of water types. The reviewed assays included androgenic (n=11), progestagenic (n=6), glucocorticoid (n=5), thyroid (n=5) and estrogenic (n=8) activity in both agonist and antagonist mode. Existing in vitro bioassay data were re-evaluated to determine assay sensitivity, with the calculated method detection limit compared with measured hormonal activity in treated wastewater, surface water and drinking water to quantify whether the studied assays were sufficiently sensitive for environmental samples. With typical sample enrichment, current in vitro bioassays are sufficiently sensitive to detect androgenic activity in treated wastewater and surface water, with anti-androgenic activity able to be detected in most environmental waters. Similarly, with sufficient enrichment, the studied mammalian assays are able to detect estrogenic activity even in drinking water samples. Fewer studies have focused on progestagenic and glucocorticoid activity, but some of the reviewed bioassays are suitable for detecting activity in treated wastewater and surface water. Even less is known about (anti)thyroid activity, but the available data suggests that the more sensitive reviewed bioassays are still unlikely to detect this type of activity in environmental waters. The findings of this review can help provide guidance on in vitro bioassay selection and required sample enrichment for optimised detection of endocrine activity in environmental waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, 4222, Australia.
| | - Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, 4222, Australia
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19
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Neale PA, Munz NA, Aїt-Aїssa S, Altenburger R, Brion F, Busch W, Escher BI, Hilscherová K, Kienle C, Novák J, Seiler TB, Shao Y, Stamm C, Hollender J. Integrating chemical analysis and bioanalysis to evaluate the contribution of wastewater effluent on the micropollutant burden in small streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 576:785-795. [PMID: 27810763 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Surface waters can contain a range of micropollutants from point sources, such as wastewater effluent, and diffuse sources, such as agriculture. Characterizing the source of micropollutants is important for reducing their burden and thus mitigating adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. In this study, chemical analysis and bioanalysis were applied to assess the micropollutant burden during low flow conditions upstream and downstream of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging into small streams in the Swiss Plateau. The upstream sites had no input of wastewater effluent, allowing a direct comparison of the observed effects with and without the contribution of wastewater. Four hundred and five chemicals were analyzed, while the applied bioassays included activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, activation of the androgen receptor, activation of the estrogen receptor, photosystem II inhibition, acetylcholinesterase inhibition and adaptive stress responses for oxidative stress, genotoxicity and inflammation, as well as assays indicative of estrogenic activity and developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos. Chemical analysis and bioanalysis showed higher chemical concentrations and effects for the effluent samples, with the lowest chemical concentrations and effects in most assays for the upstream sites. Mixture toxicity modeling was applied to assess the contribution of detected chemicals to the observed effect. For most bioassays, very little of the observed effects could be explained by the detected chemicals, with the exception of photosystem II inhibition, where herbicides explained the majority of the effect. This emphasizes the importance of combining bioanalysis with chemical analysis to provide a more complete picture of the micropollutant burden. While the wastewater effluents had a significant contribution to micropollutant burden downstream, both chemical analysis and bioanalysis showed a relevant contribution of diffuse sources from upstream during low flow conditions, suggesting that upgrading WWTPs will not completely reduce the micropollutant burden, but further source control measures will be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia; The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), Brisbane, QLD 4108, Australia
| | - Nicole A Munz
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Selim Aїt-Aїssa
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques INERIS, Unité d'Ecotoxicologie, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - François Brion
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques INERIS, Unité d'Ecotoxicologie, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Wibke Busch
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia; The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), Brisbane, QLD 4108, Australia; UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Environmental Toxicology, Center for Applied Geosciences, 72074 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Cornelia Kienle
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology Eawag-EPFL, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jiří Novák
- Masaryk University, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Ying Shao
- Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Stamm
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Hollender
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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20
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Völker J, Castronovo S, Wick A, Ternes TA, Joss A, Oehlmann J, Wagner M. Advancing Biological Wastewater Treatment: Extended Anaerobic Conditions Enhance the Removal of Endocrine and Dioxin-like Activities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:10606-10615. [PMID: 26848848 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b05732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Conventional activated sludge treatment of wastewater does not completely remove micropollutants. Here, extending anaerobic conditions may enhance biodegradation. To explore this, we combined iron-reducing or substrate-limiting and aerobic pilot-scale reactors directly at a wastewater treatment plant. To assess the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as group of micropollutants that adversely affects wildlife, we applied a bioanalytical approach. We used in vitro bioassays covering seven receptor-mediated mechanisms of action, including (anti)androgenicity, (anti)estrogenicity, retinoid-like, and dioxin-like activity. Untreated wastewater induced antiandrogenic, estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and retinoid-like activity. Full-scale as well as reactor-scale activated sludge treatment effectively removes the observed effects. Nevertheless, high antiandrogenic and minor dioxin-like and estrogenic effects persisted in the treated effluent that may still be environmentally relevant. The anaerobic post-treatment under substrate-limiting conditions resulted in an additional removal of endocrine activities by 17-40%. The anaerobic pre-treatment under iron-reducing conditions significantly enhanced the removal of the residual effects by 40-75%. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a further optimization of biological wastewater treatment is possible. Here, implementing iron-reducing anaerobic conditions preceding aerobic treatment appears promising to improve the removal of receptor-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Völker
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main , Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandro Castronovo
- Federal Institute of Hydrology , Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Arne Wick
- Federal Institute of Hydrology , Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology , Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Adriano Joss
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main , Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main , Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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