Gas–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methodology for the quantitation of estrogenic contaminants in bile of fish exposed to wastewater treatment works effluents and from wild populations

Endocrine modulating chemicals in food packaging: A review of phthalates and bisphenols

Phthalates and bisphenol chemicals have been widely used globally in packaging materials and consumer products for several decades. These highly functional chemicals have become a concern due to their toxicity (i.e., endocrine/hormone modulators) and ability to migrate from food contact materials (FCMs) into food matrices and the environment resulting in human and environmental health risks. FCMs, composed of postconsumer materials, are particularly high risk for containing these compounds. The evaluation of postconsumer recycled feedstocks in FCMs is compulsory and selection of an appropriate detection method to comply with applicable regulations is necessary to evaluate human and environmental safety. Numerous regulations have been proposed and passed globally for both compound classes that are recognized as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union. Several brand owners and retailers have also released their own "restricted substance lists" due to the mounting consumer and regulatory concerns. This review article has two goals: (1) discuss the utilization, toxicology, human exposure routes, and occurrence levels of phthalates and bisphenols in FCMs and associated legislation in various countries and (2) discuss critical understanding and updates for detection/quantification techniques. Current techniques discussed include extraction and sample preparation methods (solid-phase microextraction [SPME], headspace SPME, Soxhlet procedure, ultrasound-assisted extraction), chromatographic techniques (gas, liquid, detectors), and environmental/blank considerations for quantification. This review complements a previous review of phthalates in foods from 2009 by discussing phthalate and bisphenol characteristics, analytical methods of determining concentrations in packaging materials, and their influence on the migration potential into food.

Enhanced prediction of internal concentrations of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals and their metabolites in fish by a physiologically based toxicokinetic incorporating metabolism (PBTK-MT) model

Bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), and triclosan (TCS) are phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are widely detected in aquatic environments and further bioaccumulated and metabolized in fish. Physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models have been used to describe the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of parent compounds in fish, whereas the metabolites are less explored. In this study, a PBTK incorporating metabolism (PBTK-MT) model for BPA, 4-NP, and TCS was established to enhance the performance of the traditional PBTK model. The PBTK-MT model comprised 16 compartments, showing great accuracy in predicting the internal concentrations of three compounds and their glucuronidated and sulfated conjugates in fish. The impact of typical hepatic metabolism on the PBTK-MT model was successfully resolved by optimizing the mechanism for deriving the partition coefficients between the blood and liver. The PBTK-MT model exhibited a potential data gap-filling capacity for unknown parameters through a backward extrapolation approach of parameters. Model sensitivity analysis suggested that only five parameters were sensitive in at least two PBTK-MT models, while most parameters were insensitive. The PBTK-MT model will contribute to a well understanding of the environmental behavior and risks of pollutants in aquatic biota.

Highly-sensitive and simple fluorescent aptasensor for 17 b-estradiol detection coupled with HCR-HRP structure

As an important kind of environmental endocrine disruptors, 17 β -Estradiol (E2) plays a major role in affecting the growth of human including sexual characters, pregnancy system, etc. In the modern society, with the threat of abuse in breeding, it is imperative to design sensitive methods for detecting low concentration of E2 in environment. In this work, we constructed a highly sensitive and simple fluorescent aptasenor for detecting E2 via amplification of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Through the competitions between complementary strand (cmDNA) and E2 to E2 aptamer modified on magnetic beads, the unbound cmDNA would be collected and captured by polystyrene microspheres to induce HCR which brought abundant biotin sites. Subsequently, benefit from the excellent catalytic performance of streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (SA-HRP), the highly sensitive fluorescence signals could be obtained in low concentration of E2. Under the optimal conditions, the prospered method for E2 detection was shown a good liner range from 1 to 100 pg/mL, with the lower detecting limit of 0.2 pg/mL compared with previous work. In addition, the recovery rates tested in the real samples of milk and water were 99.20%-108.06% and 91.07%-106.13%. In all, the assay may provide a perspective way for highly sensitive detection for various contaminants in the real samples.

Seasonal variation in oestrogenic potency and biological effects of wastewater treatment works effluents assessed using ERE-GFP transgenic zebrafish embryo-larvae

Effluents from wastewater treatment works (WwTW) exhibit both temporal and spatial variation in oestrogenicity, however few studies have attempted to quantify how this variation affects biological responses in fish. Here we used an oestrogen-responsive green fluorescent protein (ERE-GFP) transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) to quantify oestrogenic activity and health effects for exposure to three different WwTW effluents. Endpoints measured included survival/hatching rate, GFP induction (measured in target tissues or gfp mRNA induction in whole embryos) and vtg mRNA induction in whole embryos. Exposure to one of the study effluents (at 100%), resulted in some mortality, and exposure to all three effluents (at 50% and 100%) caused decreases in hatching rates. Higher levels of vtg mRNA corresponded with higher levels of steroidal oestrogens in the different effluents, with lowest-observed-effect concentrations (LOECs) between 31 ng/L and 39 ng/L oestradiol equivalents (EEQs). Tissue patterns of GFP expression for all three WwTWs effluents reflected the known targets for steroidal oestrogens and for some other oestrogenic chemicals likely present in those effluents (i.e. nonylphenol or bisphenolic compounds). GFP induction was similarly responsive to vtg mRNA induction (a well-established biomarker for oestrogen exposure). We thus demonstrate the ERE-GFP transgenic zebrafish as an effective model for monitoring the oestrogenic potency and health effects for exposure to complex mixtures of chemicals contained within WwTW effluents.

Health Effects and Life Stage Sensitivities in Zebrafish Exposed to an Estrogenic Wastewater Treatment Works Effluent

A wide range of health effects in fish have been reported for exposure to wastewater treatment work (WwTW) effluents including feminized responses in males. Most of these exposure studies, however, have assessed acute health effects and chronic exposure effects are less well established. Using an Estrogen Responsive Element-Green Fluorescent Protein (ERE-GFP)-Casper transgenic zebrafish, we investigated chronic health effects and life stage sensitivities for exposure to an estrogenic WwTW effluent and the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Exposure to the WwTW effluent (at full strength;100%) and to 10 ng/L (nominal) EE2 delayed testis maturation in male fish but accelerated ovary development in females. Exposure to 50% and 100% effluent, and to 10 ng/L EE2, also resulted in skewed sex ratios in favor of females. Differing patterns of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression, in terms of target tissues and developmental life stages occurred in the ERE-GFP- zebrafish chronically exposed to 100% effluent and reflected the estrogenic content of the effluent. gfp and vitellogenin (vtg) mRNA induction were positively correlated with measured levels of steroidal estrogens in the effluent throughout the study. Our findings illustrate the importance of a fish's developmental stage for estrogen exposure effects and demonstrate the utility of the ERE-GFP zebrafish for integrative health analysis for exposure to estrogenic chemical mixtures.

The occurrence and distribution of nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates in different species of fish

The aim of this study was to analyze the accumulation of nonylphenols (NPs) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) in the muscles, liver, and bile of flounder (Platichthys flesus), cod (Gadus morhua), and eels (Anguilla anguilla). The flounder and cod were caught in the Gulf of Gdańsk (the Baltic Sea), while the eels were sampled in the Vistula and Szczecin lagoons (the Baltic Sea) and in the inland waters of the Masurian Lake District. NP concentrations in muscles were low in all the samples analyzed and ranged from 14.2 to 28.2 μg-1 kg ww. In contrast, a wide range of NP concentrations were observed in livers, which seemed to depend on both the species and the feeding status of the fishes. NP levels in flounder and eel livers were from three to twenty times higher than those in the muscles, but they were below the limit of quantitation (LOQ) in all the cod liver samples. The mean concentration of NPs in the liver of flounder caught in the Gulf of Gdańsk was 222 μg kg-1 ww, while in that of the eel ranged from 57 μg kg-1 ww in fish caught in the Masurian Lake District to 519 μg kg-1 ww in eels caught in the Vistula Lagoon. NPs were detected in bile in only a few eel samples, which indicated that bile analysis has limited applications for estimating NP contamination in marine fish. The NPEOs in all the samples analyzed were below the LOQ.

Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) are less sensitive to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) than other common model teleosts: A comparative review of reproductive effects

The environmental estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE₂) will depress or completely inhibit egg production in many common model teleosts at low concentrations (≤0.5 ng/L; Runnalls et al., 2015). This inhibition is not seen in the estuarine killifish, or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), even when exposed to 100 ng/L EE₂. This relative insensitivity to EE₂ exposure indicates species-specific mechanisms for compensating for exogenous estrogenic exposure. This review compares various reproductive responses elicited by EE₂ in mummichog to other common model teleosts, such as zebrafish (Danio rerio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), identifying key endpoints where mummichog differ from other studied fish. For example, EE₂ accumulates primarily in the liver/gall bladder of mummichog, which is different than zebrafish and fathead minnow in which accumulation is predominantly in the carcass. Despite causing species-specific differences in fecundity, EE₂ has been shown to consistently induce hepatic vitellogenin in males and cause feminization/sex reversal during gonadal differentiation in larval mummichog, similar to other species. In addition, while gonadal steroidogenesis and plasma steroid levels respond to exogenous EE_2, it is generally at higher concentrations than observed in other species. In mummichog, production of 17β-estradiol (E₂) by full grown ovarian follicles remains high; unlike other teleost models where E₂ synthesis decreases as 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-prenen-3-on levels increase to induce oocyte maturation. New evidence in mummichog indicates some dissimilarity in gonadal steroidogenic gene expression responses compared to gene expression responses in zebrafish and fathead minnow exposed to EE₂. The role of ovarian physiology continues to warrant investigation regarding the tolerance of mummichog to exogenous EE₂ exposure. Here we present a comprehensive review, highlighting key biological differences in response to EE₂ exposure between mummichog and other commonly used model teleosts.

Plasmonic cellulose textile fiber from waste paper for BPA sensing by SERS

Flexible plasmonic Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates were fabricated using cellulose textile fibers, in which the textile fibers were recycled from waste paper in an eco-friendly way. The Glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTAC) with positive charges was grafted onto the surface of the cellulose textile fibers through cationization. Plasmonic silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with negative charges were decorated onto the cellulose textile fibers via electrostatic interactions. After cationization, the variation range of the diameter of the cellulose textile fibers was significantly increased because part of the cellulose was dissolved under alkaline condition, leading to more 'hot spots' for SERS during the shrinking process. The cellulose textile fiber-Ag NPs nanocomposite was employed for monitoring bisphenol A (BPA) in water and soft drink by SERS and the sensitivity of BPA detection achieved 50 ppb. The recovery values of BPA in soda water samples were from 96% to 105%. These results illustrate that the cellulose textile fiber-Ag NPs nanocomposite can be used as flexible, high sensitivity SERS substrates for detecting harmful ingredients in food or environment.

Bioaccumulation, metabolism, and risk assessment of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in specific tissues of wild fish

Phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may pose a great hazard to wildlife and humans, owing to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and potential bioaccumulation ability. We investigated the bioaccumulation, metabolism, and human health risks of six phenolic EDCs, including bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), in wild fish from the Pearl River system, South China. Except EE2, the other five EDCs were detected in at least one of the four fish tissues (bile, liver, plasma, and muscle). The concentrations of BPA and 4-NP were greater than those of 4-t-OP, E1, and E2 in all tissues. The median values of log bioaccumulation factors for EDCs at the range of 3.86-4.52 in bile, 2.06-3.16 in liver, 2.69-3.87 in plasma, and 1.34-2.30 in muscle, indicating a higher bioaccumulation potential in fish bile than in other tissues. Greater levels of glucuronide/sulfate conjugated EDCs were found in fish bile and liver than in the plasma and muscle, suggesting that the liver and bile played an important role in the metabolism and excretion of phenolic EDCs in fish. The calculated hazard quotient values were below 1 for each compound, implying low risk to human health by intake of edible fish.

Assessing the impact of waste water effluents on native fish species from a semi-arid region, NE Spain

Mediterranean rivers are strongly affected by pollution and water scarcity. Over the summer period, urban and industrial effluents arrive into the rivers with little dilution. In order to assess the water quality, two native fish species, Barbus meridionalis and Squalius laietanus, were collected from six sites along the Ripoll River (Spain). PAH metabolites, alkylphenols (nonylphenol and octylphenol) and the musk galaxolide levels were determined in bile. 7-Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethyl-coumarin O-debenzyloxylase (BFCOD) were measured as metabolic biomarkers, and the activity of CYP19 aromatase was determined in the ovaries of B. meridionalis as a biomarker of endocrine disruption. The analysis of bile indicated that fish from the lower course of the river were highly exposed to different pollutants. Accordingly, a significant induction of EROD (9 to 10-fold) and BFCOD (3 to 5-fold) activities were detected in both fish species together with an increased aromatase activity in females of B. meridionalis from the most polluted sites. Considering that sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents are essential for maintaining environmental flows in small Mediterranean rivers, this study highlights the need to improve the efficiency of STPs to protect fish health.

Endocrine-disrupting metabolites of alkylphenol ethoxylates - A critical review of analytical methods, environmental occurrences, toxicity, and regulation

Despite the fact that metabolites of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) are classified as hazardous substances, they continue to be released into the environment from a variety of sources and are not usually monitored. Their wide use has led to an increase in the possible exposure pathways for humans, which is cause for alarm. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge about the behaviour of these metabolites with respect to the environment and toxicity, and their biological effects on human health. The aim of this work is to give an overview of the APEO metabolites and their analysis, occurrences and toxicity in various environmental and human samples. APEO metabolites have adverse effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment through their release into the environment. Currently, there are some reviews available on the behaviour of alkylphenols in soil, sediments, groundwater, surface water and food. However, none of these articles consider their toxicity in humans and especially their effect on the nervous and immune system. This work summarises the environmental occurrences of metabolites of APEOs in matrices, e.g. water, food and biological matrices, their effect on the immune and nervous systems, and isomer-specific issues. With that emphasis we are able to cover most common occurrences of human exposure, whether direct or indirect.

The combined use of chemical and biochemical markers in Rutilus rutilus to assess the effect of dredging in the lower course of the Ebro River

The lower course of the Ebro River is polluted with high concentrations of organochlorine compounds dumped by a chloro-alkali plant during the last century. A remediation plan, including building of a protective wall, removal and disposal of polluted sediments started in 2012. With the aim of assessing the effects of dredging of contaminated sediments and potential alterations of water quality, areas located upstream (RR) and downstream (BE, A) the chemical plant (FL) were monitored prior (October 2012) and during dredging (June 2013) using roach (Rutilus rutilus) as sentinel organisms. Concentrations of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in fish muscle and biliary levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), galaxolide (HHCB) and alkyphenols (APEs) were determined together with selected enzymatic activities (7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethyl-coumarin O-debenzyloxylase (BFCOD) and UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT)) in the liver. The obtained results proved the effectiveness of the wall retaining suspended particles and avoiding further contamination of downstream sites as fish sampled at downstream sites showed up to 9-fold higher concentrations of OCs in muscle during wall construction than during dredging. EROD and UGT activities were induced in fish from downstream sites; however, no clear response to the observed pollution gradient was detected.

Sources and levels of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in Kuwait's coastal areas

The sources and levels of endocrine disrupting compounds in Kuwait's coastal areas were investigated. Phthalates, alkylphenols and estrogens were measured in the inflows and outflows of three sewage treatment plants as well as in the seawater and sediments from the sewage impacted coastal areas. Phthalate levels in the inflow of the treatment plants ranged from 8.9 to 78.3μg/l; alkylphenols from 0.7 to 279ng/l and estrogens from 30 to 368ng/l. On average, the treatment plants removed about 80% of these compounds. The outflows, however, contained significant levels of all three classes of compounds. The seawater from the sewage impacted area also contained detectable levels of these compounds. Sediment samples from these locations contained elevated levels of phthalates (ranging from 2145 to 15,722μg/kg) and lower levels of alkylphenols (ranging from 2.49 to 15.14μg/kg) and estrogens (ranging from 4.1 to 214μg/kg, dry wt.).

No evidence of exposure to environmental estrogens in two feral fish species sampled from the Yarra River, Australia: A comparison with Northern Hemisphere studies

Environmental estrogens originate from a variety of sources including sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents and adverse physiological effects (endocrine disruption) have been observed in several fish species sampled downstream of STP discharges. In this study we examined common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and roach (Rutilis rutilis) for signs of exposure to environmental estrogens in the iconic Yarra River, Melbourne, Australia. The Yarra River flows through the city of Melbourne and more than 2 million people live within the catchment. Two STPs discharge water into the Yarra River within the middle reaches, and the areas immediately downstream of these discharge locations were the focus of this study. Carp and roach were chosen as test species since both have been utilised extensively for endocrine disruption research throughout Europe, North America and Asia, and data from various international studies was used for comparison with the results of the present study. Neither species showed evidence of exposure to environmental estrogens, with no elevation of plasma vitellogenin levels in males and no incidence of intersex gonads. Most physiological endpoints in both species from this study were within ranges reported in carp and roach from reference sites in other studies, however some degenerative histological changes in both male and female gonads were observed. Surface water samples showed no estrogenic activity (measured by the yeast-estrogen screen, YES), but did display strong anti-estrogenic and weak androgenic activity (measured by the yeast-androgen screen, YAS). Whilst the results show no evidence of impacts from environmental estrogens in the Yarra River, the presence of both anti-estrogenic and androgenic activity in water samples, as well as some gonadal changes in carp is concerning and indicates that our focus needs to broaden, in order to look for biological impacts in resident fauna that might be due to environmental pollutants other than environmental estrogens.

Global Assessment of Bisphenol A in the Environment: Review and Analysis of Its Occurrence and Bioaccumulation

Because bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume chemical, we examined over 500 peer-reviewed studies to understand its global distribution in effluent discharges, surface waters, sewage sludge, biosolids, sediments, soils, air, wildlife, and humans. Bisphenol A was largely reported from urban ecosystems in Asia, Europe, and North America; unfortunately, information was lacking from large geographic areas, megacities, and developing countries. When sufficient data were available, probabilistic hazard assessments were performed to understand global environmental quality concerns. Exceedances of Canadian Predicted No Effect Concentrations for aquatic life were >50% for effluents in Asia, Europe, and North America but as high as 80% for surface water reports from Asia. Similarly, maximum concentrations of BPA in sediments from Asia were higher than Europe. Concentrations of BPA in wildlife, mostly for fish, ranged from 0.2 to 13 000 ng/g. We observed 60% and 40% exceedences of median levels by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in Europe and Asia, respectively. These findings highlight the utility of coordinating global sensing of environmental contaminants efforts through integration of environmental monitoring and specimen banking to identify regions for implementation of more robust environmental assessment and management programs.

Putting pharmaceuticals into the wider context of challenges to fish populations in rivers

The natural range of fish species in our rivers is related to flow, elevation, temperature, local habitat and connectivity. For over 2000 years, humans have altered to varying degrees the river habitat. In the past 200 years, we added to the environmental disruption by discharging poorly treated sewage, nutrients and industrial waste into our rivers. For many rivers, the low point arrived during the period of 1950s-1970s, when rapid economic development overrode environmental concerns and dissolved oxygen concentrations dropped to zero. In these more enlightened times, gross river pollution is a thing of the past in the Developed World. However, persistent legacy chemical contaminants can be found in fish long after their discharge ceased. Changes in habitat quality and morphology caused and continue to cause the disappearance of fish species. The range of fish stressors has now increased as temperatures rise, and non-native fish introductions bring new diseases. The threat from pharmaceuticals to fish populations remains hypothetical, and no studies have yet linked change in fish populations to exposure.

Distribution and bioconcentration of endocrine disrupting chemicals in surface water and fish bile of the Pearl River Delta, South China

The distribution and bioconcentration of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water, algae, and wild carp bile of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), South China were investigated. 4-tert octylphenol (OP), 4-nonylphenol (NP), and bisphenol A (BPA) (unit, ng L(-1)) in water were in the ranges of 1-14, 117-865, and 4-377, those (ng g(-1) dry weight) in algae were in the ranges of 2-13, 53-282, and 16-94, and those (ng g(-1)) in carp bile were in the ranges of 14-39, 950-4648, 70-1020, respectively. Estrone (E1) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water ranged from <LOQ to 1.58 ng L(-1) and from <LOQ to 3.43 ng L(-1), respectively. In bile and algae, E1 ranged from nd to 30 ng g(-1), but EE2 was not detected. The E2 activity equivalents (EEQs) ranged from 1.20 to 10.97 ng g(-1) in carp bile and from 0.07 to 8.06 ng L(-1) in water. The EEQs in carp bile were significantly related to those in water, illustrating that occurrence of EDCs in carp bile can reflect that in ambient water in the PRD region. The bioconcentration factors (BCF, L kg(-1)) of OP, NP, BPA, and E1 in algae were in the ranges of 482-7251, 131-740, 2846-12979, and undetectable, respectively, and those in carp bile were in the ranges of 1500-12960, 1648-11137, 3583-14178, and 13208-39623, respectively. The phenolic EDCs can be accumulated by wild carp bile and algae in the investigated aquatic ecosystems, which is also affected by the degree of the eutrophication. This study for the first time reported EDCs in carp bile and algae collected from the PRD, China.

Simulation of the fate of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a highly impacted reach of a Canadian watershed

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) dispose of numerous trace organic contaminants in the receiving waters that can impact biological function in aquatic organisms. However, the complex nature of WWTP effluent mixtures and a wide variety of potential mechanisms that can alter physiological and reproductive development of aquatic organisms make it difficult to assess the linkages and severity of the effects associated with trace organic contaminants. This paper describes a surface water quality modeling exercise that was performed to understand the relevant contaminant fate and transport processes necessary to accurately predict the concentrations of trace organic compounds present in the aquatic environment. The target compounds modeled include a known antiandrogenic personal care product (triclosan) and selected pharmaceuticals (venlafaxine, naproxen, and carbamazepine). The WASP 7.5 model was adapted and calibrated to reflect approximately ten kilometers of reach of the Grand River watershed that is highly influenced by a major urban WWTP. Simulation of the fate and transport of the target compounds revealed that flow-driven transport processes (advection and dispersion) greatly influenced the behavior of the target contaminants in the aquatic environment. However, fate mechanisms such as photolysis and biodegradation can play an important role in the attenuation of some compounds. The exception was carbamazepine where it was shown to act as a conservative tracer compound for wastewater specific contaminants in the water phase. The calibrated water quality model can now be employed in a number of future applications. Prediction of fate and transport of other trace organic contaminants across the watershed and assessment of the performance of WWTP infrastructure upgrades in the removal of these compounds are just a few examples.

Intersex condition and molecular markers of endocrine disruption in relation with burdens of emerging pollutants in thicklip grey mullets (Chelon labrosus) from Basque estuaries (South-East Bay of Biscay)

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system, causing reproductive and developmental disturbances in aquatic wildlife. Appearance of intersex gonads and elevated plasma levels of vitellogenin in male fish are well known biomarkers of exposure to xenoestrogenic EDCs. In the present study, intersex condition and transcription levels of vtg and cyp19a1b were assessed in five thicklip grey mullet populations from the Basque coast (Bay of Biscay). Levels of EDCs (estrogenic hormones, polycyclic musks, bisphenol-A, phthalates, alkylphenols and pesticides) were determined in water and fish bile. Intersex gonads were observed in three out of five mullet populations. Vtg and cyp19a1b were up-regulated in mullet populations with relatively higher EDCs load. Phthalates and pesticides were the most abundant EDCs in bile, followed by alkylphenols, musks, bisphenol-A and estrogenic hormones. Statistically significant correlations were found between concentrations of individual and total EDCs in bile and water samples and transcription levels of vtg and cyp19a1b.

Alkylphenol ethoxylates and alkylphenols--update information on occurrence, fate and toxicity in aquatic environment

Alkylphenols and their precursors, alkylphenol etoxylates, are a group of manmade chemicals used mainly as surfactants in domestic and industrial applications worldwide. It has been well established that they have endocrine disruption activity, hepatotoxic, genotoxic and other negative effects on animal and human health. In spite of the effort to reduce their use, they persist in the environment not only in industrial but also in remote regions, and were detected in the variety of natural matrices including air, water, soil as well as food products, and human blood and urine worldwide. This article summarizes their occurrence, fate in natural conditions, and toxicity including mode of action. A subject of our concern was the aquatic environment as the most important reservoir and target of their deleterious impact.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in fish bile: a rapid method of analysis using English sole (Parophrys vetulus) from Puget Sound, WA, USA

This study describes a recently developed and rapid method to measure bisphenol A (BPA), 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in bile of fish using enzymatic hydrolysis of samples followed by solid-phase extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) for BPA, EE2 and E2 were 6.3ngmL(-1), 12.5ngmL(-1) and 6.3ngmL(-1), respectively. These compounds were analyzed in bile of male English sole (Parophrys vetulus) collected from urban and non-urban sites in Puget Sound, WA, USA. The BPA and E2 concentrations (and occurrence) ranged from <LOQ - 52ngmL(-1) (10-100%) and <LOQ - 310ngmL(-1) (10-70%), respectively. EE2 levels were below the LOQ in all samples. Urban sites were significantly different than non-urban sites, demonstrating the environmental applicability of this analytical method. Moreover, this study presented, for the first time in United States coastal waters, biliary environmental concentrations of these compounds in male English sole collected from Puget Sound, a region of increasing urbanization.

The presence of EU priority substances mercury, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene and PBDEs in wild fish from four English rivers

Since 2007 about 200 to 300 fish per year--generally roach (Rutilus rutilus) also a few bleak (Alburnus alburnus) and eels (Anguilla anguilla)--have been collected from a number of English river sites and stored at -80°C to build up a Fish Tissue Archive as a resource for the monitoring of pollutants. Some of the fish from the Fish Tissue Archive from the years 2007-2011 were analyzed for substances in current and proposed European legislation regarding environmental quality standards (EQS) in biota. It was found that mercury exceeded the EU EQS of 20 μg/kg in 79% of samples with an average and median of 31 and 29 μg/kg. The legacy fungicide hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was below the EQS of 10 μg/kg in all fish analyzed, with a maximum of 6 μg/kg in some eels. The legacy solvent hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) was below the EQS of 55 μg/kg, being <0.2 μg/kg in all samples where it was measured. The sums of six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were several orders of magnitude higher than the new proposed 0.0085 μg/kg biota EQS. This study showed that the regular collection and analysis of whole body homogenate samples of relatively small native pelagic fish is suitable for the monitoring of contaminants capable of bioaccumulation. With regard to current or proposed EQS for EU countries, mercury and potentially PBDE in fish are of some concern in these English rivers.

Uptake of human pharmaceuticals in bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) inhabiting a wastewater-impacted river

The presence of human pharmaceuticals in sewage-impacted ecosystems is a growing concern that poses health risks to aquatic wildlife. Despite this, few studies have investigated the uptake of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in aquatic organisms. In this study, the uptake of 9 APIs from human drugs was examined and compared in neonate bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) residing in pristine (Myakka River) and wastewater-impacted (Caloosahatchee River) tributaries of Florida's Charlotte Harbor estuary. The synthetic estrogen used in human contraceptives (17α-ethynylestradiol) and 6 of the selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine) used in human antidepressants were observed at detectable and, in some cases, quantifiable levels in plasma of Caloosahatchee River sharks. Comparatively, only venlafaxine was detected in the plasma of a single Myakka River shark at a level below the limit of quantitation. These results suggest that sharks residing in wastewater-impacted habitats accumulate APIs, a factor that may pose special risks to C. leucas since it is one of few shark species to regularly occupy freshwater systems. Further research is needed to determine if the low levels of API uptake observed in Caloosahatchee River bull sharks pose health risks to these animals.

The effects of temperature and salinity on 17-α-ethynylestradiol uptake and its relationship to oxygen consumption in the model euryhaline teleost (Fundulus heteroclitus)

The synthetic estrogen 17-α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a component of birth control and hormone replacement therapy, is discharged into the environment via wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. The present study employed radiolabeled EE2 to examine impacts of temperature and salinity on EE2 uptake in male killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Fish were exposed to a nominal concentration of 100ng/L EE2 for 2h. The rate of EE2 uptake was constant over the 2h period. Oxygen consumption rates (MO(2)), whole body uptake rates, and tissue-specific EE2 distribution were determined. In killifish acclimated to 18°C at 16ppt (50% sea water), MO(2) and EE2 uptake were both lower after 24h exposure to 10°C and 4°C, and increased after 24h exposure to 26°C. Transfer to fresh water (FW) for 24h lowered EE2 uptake rate, and long-term acclimation to fresh water reduced it by 70%. Both long-term acclimation to 100% sea water (32ppt) and a 24h transfer to 100% sea water also reduced EE2 uptake rate by 50% relative to 16ppt. Tissue-specific accumulation of EE2 was highest (40-60% of the total) in the liver plus gall bladder across all exposures, and the vast majority of this was in the bile at 2h, regardless of temperature or salinity. The carcass was the next highest accumulator (30-40%), followed by the gut (10-20%) with only small amounts in gill and spleen. Killifish chronically exposed (15 days) to 100ng/L EE2 displayed no difference in EE2 uptake rate or tissue-specific distribution. Drinking rate, measured with radiolabeled polyethylene glycol-4000, was about 25 times greater in 16ppt-acclimated killifish relative to FW-acclimated animals. However, drinking accounted for less than 30% of gut accumulation, and therefore a negligible percentage of whole body EE2 uptake rates. In general, there were strong positive relationships between EE2 uptake rates and MO(2), suggesting similar uptake pathways of these lipophilic molecules across the gills. These data will be useful in developing a predictive model of how key environmental parameter variations (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen) affect EE2 uptake in estuarine fish, to determine optimal timing and location of WWTP discharges.

The anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen are found in the bile of wild fish caught downstream of a wastewater treatment plant

Pharmaceutical residues are ubiquitous in rivers, lakes, and at coastal waters affected by discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the presence of 17 different pharmaceuticals and six different phase I metabolites was determined in the bile of two wild fish species, bream (Abramis brama) and roach (Rutilus rutilus). The fish were caught from a lake that receives treated municipal wastewater via a small river. Prior to analyses, the bile content was enzymatically hydrolyzed to convert the glucuronide metabolites into the original pharmaceuticals or phase I metabolites. The solid phase extracts of hydrolyzates were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The anti-inflammatory drug naproxen could be detected in all the six bream and roach bile samples. Diclofenac was found in five of the bream and roach samples, while ibuprofen was detected in three bream and two roach samples. The observed bile concentrations of diclofenac, naproxen, and ibuprofen in bream ranged from 6 to 95 ng mL(-1), 6 to 32 ng mL(-1), and 16 to 34 ng mL(-1), respectively. The corresponding values in roach samples ranged from 44 to 148 ng mL(-1), 11 to 103 ng mL(-1) and 15 to 26 ng mL(-1), respectively. None of the other studied compounds could be detected. The study shows that pharmaceuticals originating from wastewater treatment plant effluents can be traced to the bile of wild bream and roach living in a lake where diclofenac, naproxen, and ibuprofen are present as pollutants.

Determination of pharmaceutical residues in fish bile by solid-phase microextraction couple with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)

The present study investigates possible uptake and bioconcentration of different classes of pharmaceuticals residues (organic contaminants) in fish bile using a simplified analytical methodology based on solid phase microextration (SPME). The use of solid phase microextraction (SPME), as a simple analytical tool, to screen for target pharmaceuticals in fish bile samples was validated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following short-term laboratory exposures to carbamazepine and fluoxetine. While fish bioconcentrated both fluoxetine and carbamazepine from exposure water, fluoxetine accumulated to a greater degree in bile than carbamazepine. Good agreement was obtained for both analytes in bile samples between SPME and traditional liquid (solvent) extraction approaches (R(2) > 0.99). The field application of SPME sampling was further demonstrated in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), a small-bodied fish caged upstream and downstream of a local wastewater treatment plant where fluoxetine, atorvastatin, and sertraline were detected in fish bile at the downstream location. SPME is a promising analytical tool for investigating the bioconcentration of trace contaminants in fish bile, facilitating detection of trace environmental contaminants otherwise undetectable due to low concentrations in the environment and biological tissues as well as the complexity of the sample matrices.

Biological effects and bioaccumulation of steroidal and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in high-back crucian carp exposed to wastewater treatment plant effluents

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents have been shown to cause adverse effects, but the uptake of EDCs from effluents (measured in fish muscle) are not known. In this study, the biological effects and bioaccumulation of steroidal and phenolic EDCs were assessed in high-back crucian carp (Carassius auratus) exposed to WWTP effluents for 141 days. Compared with fish controls caged in Dianchi Lake, a significant reduction in gonadosomatic index (GSI) and increase in hepatosomatic index (HSI) and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels were observed in effluent-exposed fish. The concentrations of steroids and phenols in effluent-exposed fish showed time-dependent increase during the exposure. In addition, bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for steroids and phenols were between 17 and 59 on day 141. The results confirm that steroids and phenols bioconcentrate in fish muscle and this accumulation may account for the biological effects associated with exposures to WWTP effluents.

Bioassay-directed identification of novel antiandrogenic compounds in bile of fish exposed to wastewater effluents

The widespread occurrence of feminized male fish downstream of some UK Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTWs) has been associated with exposure to estrogenic and potentially antiandrogenic (AA) contaminants in the effluents. In this study, profiling of AA contaminants in WwTW effluents and fish was conducted using HPLC in combination with in vitro androgen receptor transcription screens. Analysis of extracts of wastewater effluents revealed complex profiles of AA activity comprising 21-53 HPLC fractions. Structures of bioavailable antiandrogens were identified by exposing rainbow trout to a WwTW effluent and profiling the bile for AA activity using yeast (anti-YAS) and mammalian-based (AR-CALUX) androgen receptor transcription screens. The predominant fractions with AA activity in both androgen receptor screens contained the germicides chlorophene and triclosan, and together these contaminants accounted for 51% of the total anti-YAS activity in the fish bile. Other AA compounds identified in bile included chloroxylenol, dichlorophene, resin acids, napthols, oxybenzone, 4-nonylphenol, and bisphenol A. Pure standards of these compounds were active in the androgen receptor screens at potencies relative to flutamide of between 0.1 and 13.0. Thus, we have identified, for the first time, a diverse range of AA chemicals in WwTWs that are bioavailable to fish and which need to be assessed for their risk to the reproductive health of these organisms and other aquatic biota.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of steroidal and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in wild fish species from Dianchi Lake, China

The distribution and bioaccumulation of steroidal and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) were studied in various tissues of wild fish species from Dianchi Lake, China. In muscle tissue, 4-tert-octylphenol, 4-cumylphenol, 4-nonlyphenol and bisphenol A were detected in fish from each sampling site, with maximal concentrations of 4.6, 4.4, 18.9 and 83.5 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Steroids (estrone, 17β-estradiol 17α-ethynylestradiol and estriol) were found at lower levels (<11.3 ng/g dw) and less frequently in muscle samples. The highest concentrations of steroids and phenols were found in liver, followed by those in gill and the lowest concentration was found in muscle. The field bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of phenols were calculated in fish species ranged from 18 to 97. Moreover, the measured tissue concentrations were utilized in order to estimate water concentration of steroids (4.4-18.0 ng/L). These results showed that steroidal and phenolic EDCs were likely ubiquitous contaminants in wild fish.

Quantitative determination of bisphenol A from human saliva using bulk derivatization and trap-and-elute liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Endocrine disruptors cause adverse health effects as a result of their ability to shift the hormonal balance that is essential to the body. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that has garnered much attention because of its presence in many consumer materials, which generates a significant risk for exposure. A method is presented for rapid detection of oral exposure to BPA directly from human saliva. Saliva was chosen because it serves as a noninvasive sampling route to detect BPA exposure; however, it is one of many complex biological matrices that have traditionally posed problems in quantitative analysis. Such analyses usually require extensive sample preparation to reduce interferences contributed by the sample matrix. Three validated methods are presented here that feature a streamlined sample-preparation strategy (bulk derivatization) prior to accurate and sensitive analysis by trap-and-elute liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Validated methods include standard addition calibration with variable injection volumes and multiple injection loading, as well as with incorporation of an internal standard. Reported limits of detection reached as low as 49.0 pg/ml (2.9 pg loaded on-column; equivalent to parts per trillion in saliva) among the presented methods with good accuracy and precision throughout. A proof-of-concept study is demonstrated to show that the final validated method has potential application to specific studies for trace-level BPA detection from real samples.

Nanoparticles as biochemical sensors

There is little doubt that nanoparticles offer real and new opportunities in many fields, such as biomedicine and materials science. Such particles are small enough to enter almost all areas of the body, including cells and organelles, potentially leading to new approaches in nanomedicine. Sensors for small molecules of biochemical interest are of critical importance. This review is an attempt to trace the use of nanomaterials in biochemical sensor design. The possibility of using nanoparticles functionalized with antibodies as markers for proteins will be elucidated. Moreover, capabilities and applications for nanoparticles based on gold, silver, magnetic, and semiconductor materials (quantum dots), used in optical (absorbance, luminescence, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance), electrochemical, and mass-sensitive sensors will be highlighted. The unique ability of nanosensors to improve the analysis of biochemical fluids is discussed either through considering the use of nanoparticles for in vitro molecular diagnosis, or in the biological/biochemical analysis for in vivo interaction with the human body.