Low concentrations, potential ecological consequences: synthetic estrogens alter life-history and demographic structures of aquatic invertebrates

Enhancing the removal of organic micropollutants by nanofiltration membrane with Fe (III)-tannic acid interlayer: Mechanisms and environmental implications

Nanofiltration technology has been applied in a variety of water treatment scenarios. However, conventional thin-film composite (TFC) membranes fail to remove emerging organic micropollutants (OMPs) efficiently. Here we applied thin-film nanocomposite membrane with an interlayer (TFNi) of Fe (III)-tannic acid to remove various types of OMPs, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Compared to the pristine TFC membrane, TFNi membrane exhibited crumpled morphology and its rejection layer was denser, better cross-linked and possessed smaller average pore size with narrower distribution. Significant enhancement in water-OMPs selectivity of PhACs and PFASs was observed. The mechanism lies in the effects of interlayer in improving the membrane permeance to water and meanwhile reducing the permeance to some OMPs by enhancing size exclusion effects. This work confirms the effectiveness of using TFNi membrane to simultaneously enhance the OMPs rejection and water permeance. The unraveled mechanism might inspire the future development of high-performance nanofiltration membranes targeting OMPs removal.

Norgestrel causes digestive gland injury in the clam Mactra veneriformis: An integrated histological, transcriptomics, and metabolomics study

The potential adverse effects of progestins on aquatic organisms, especially non-target species, are of increasing concern worldwide. However, the effect and mechanism of progestin toxicity on aquatic invertebrates remain largely unexplored. In the present study, clams Mactra veneriformis were exposed to norgestrel (NGT, 0, 10, and 1000 ng/L), the dominant progestin detected in the aquatic environment, for 21 days. NGT accumulation, histology, transcriptome, and metabolome were assessed in the digestive gland. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) was 386 and 268 in the 10 ng/L NGT group and 1000 ng/L NGT group, respectively, indicating efficient accumulation of NGT in the clams. Histological analysis showed that NGT led to the swelling of epithelial cells and blurring of the basement membrane in the digestive gland. Differentially-expressed genes and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using a transcriptomic approach suggested that NGT primarily disturbed the detoxification system, antioxidant defense, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, and steroid hormone metabolism, which was consistent with the metabolites analyzed using a metabolomic approach. Furthermore, we speculated that the oxidative stress caused by NGT resulted in histological damage to the digestive gland. This study showed that NGT caused adverse effects in the clams and sheds light on the mechanisms of progestin interference in aquatic invertebrates.

Herbicide prometryn adversely affects the development and reproduction of Tigriopus japonicus by disturbing the ecdysone signal pathway and chitin metabolic pathway

Prometryn, a widely used triazine herbicide in agriculture and aquaculture, has been commonly detected in marine environments, but its effects on the marine copepod are unknown. In this study, marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus was chronically exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of prometryn to investigate its impacts and potential mechanism of action. The results showed that 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/L prometryn delayed the first spawning time and hatching time, reduced the fecundity, and inhibited the population growth rate. Moreover, exposure to 0.5, 5 and 50 μg/L prometryn decreased food ingestion, the content of C and N elements, nutrient accumulation and body size, but increased the content of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Transcriptome analysis showed that 50 μg/L prometryn down-regulated 1431 genes, which were mainly enriched in lysosome pathway and chitin binding and cuticle construction process. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression of key genes involved in juvenile hormone synthesis and chitin metabolic pathways were also inhibited after prometryn exposure. Molecular docking revealed that prometryn could bind to ecdysone receptor (EcR) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP), components of the ecdysteroid nuclear receptor complex. Therefore, environmental relevant prometryn delayed the molting and development of T. japonicus by disrupting the ecdysone signal pathway and chitin metabolic pathway through binding to EcR and UAP. This study provides new insights into toxic effects and molecular mechanisms of prometryn on marine copepods.

Gene expression and biochemical patterns in the digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are a class of chemicals that can spread throughout the environment and may cause adverse biological and ecological effects. While there are many different classes of CECs, one of the most well documented in the aquatic environment are pharmaceutical drugs, such as natural and synthetic estrogens. In particular, the widespread presence of the synthetic estrogen 17 α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water may lead to bioaccumulation in sediment and biota. EE2 is the primary component in contraceptive pills, and is a derivative of the natural hormone estradiol (E2). In this study, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was exposed to EE2 in a semi-static and time-dependent experiment, for a total exposure period of 28 days. Biochemical and transcriptomics analyses were performed on mussel digestive glands after exposure for 14 (T14) and 28 (T28) days. Metabolic and DNA impairments, as well as activation of antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes activation, were detected in T28 exposed mussels. RNA-Seq analysis showed significant differential expression of 160 (T14 compared to controls), 33 (T28 compared to controls) and 79 (T14 compared to T28) genes. Signs of stress after EE2 treatment included up-regulation of gene/proteins involved with immune function, lipid transport, and metabolic and antibacterial properties. This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of EE2 in a filter feeding organisms to elucidate the effects of this human pharmaceutical on aquatic biota.

Metabolic and oxidative status alterations induced in Ruditapes philippinarum exposed chronically to estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol under a warming scenario

The presence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment is an ongoing concern. However, the information regarding their effects under different climate change scenarios is still scarce. 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is widely present in different aquatic systems showing negative impacts on aquatic organisms even when present at trace concentrations (≈1 ng/L). Nevertheless, its impact on bivalves is poorly understood, especially considering the influence of climate change factors. This study aimed to assess the toxicological impacts of EE2 under current and predicted warming scenarios, in the edible clam Ruditapes philippinarum. For this, clams were exposed for 28 days to different EE2 concentrations (5, 25, 125, 625 ng/L), under two temperatures (17 °C (control) and 21 °C). Drug concentrations, bioconcentration factors and biochemical parameters, related to oxidative stress and energy metabolism, were evaluated. Results showed that under actual and predicted temperature scenarios EE2 concentrations led to a disturbance in redox homeostasis of the clams, characterized by an increase in oxidized glutathione in contaminated organisms compared to control ones. Nevertheless, clams were capable to cope with the stressful conditions, activating their defence mechanisms (especially at the highest exposure concentration and in particular at increased temperature), and no oxidative damage occured. Although limited effects were observed, the present findings indicate that under both temperatures contaminated clams altered their biochemical performance, which can impair their sensitivity and protection capacity to respond to other environmental changes and/or affect their capacity to grow and reproduce. The results presented here highlight the need for further research on this thematic, considering that climate change is an ongoing problem, and the levels of some pharmaceutical drugs will continue to increase in marine/estuarine environments.

Acute and chronic toxicity assessments of 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the calanoid copepod Acartia clausi: Effects on survival, development, sex-ratio and reproduction

Estrogens, such as the 17β-estradiol (E2) and the 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), have been regarded as a global threat to aquatic ecosystems due to their pseudo-persistence, their high estrogenic activity and their toxicity towards non-target species. Data regarding their ecotoxicological effects on marine calanoid copepods are very scarce. In this study, the calanoid copepod Acartia clausi was used as a model organism for estrogens exposure in marine pelagic ecosystems. Lethal effects of estrogens on A. clausi life-stages (Embryos, one day old nauplii: N1, three day old nauplii: N3, copepodites: C1-C3 and adults: C6) were investigated using 48 h acute tests. Copepods showed stage-specific responses against E2 and EE2 acute exposure. The most resistant life stage was N1 with LC₅₀ values > 1500 μg L^-1 and >5000 μg L^-1, respectively for E2 and EE2. For N3, C1-C3, and C6, sensitivity to estrogens decreased with age and survival was affected at concentrations above those detected in the environment reflecting low estrogens acute toxicity for these life stages. In contrast, embryonic stage revealed high vulnerability to E2 and EE2 acute effects. Embryos showed non-monotonic dose-response and hatching success was significantly reduced at low realistic concentrations of E2 (0.005, 0.5, and 5 μg L^-1) and EE2 (0.05 and 5 μg L^-1). Survival, development and sex ratio of A. clausi to EE2 exposure at 1 and 100 μg L^-1 were also determined during a life cycle experiment. Fitness of the females of the generation F0 was evaluated by measuring lifespan, prosome length and egg production. The main observed effects were the decrease of females' prosome length, the feminization of the population and the reduction of the egg production for the generation F0 at 100 μg L^-1 of EE2. This concentration is above those reported in the environment indicating the tolerance of A. clausi to EE2 at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Impact of Estrogens Present in Environment on Health and Welfare of Animals

Simple Summary

Estrogens are a group of steroid hormones that recently have gained even more attention in the eyes of scientists. There is an ongoing discussion in the scientific community about their relevance as environmental contaminants and the danger they pose to animal health and welfare. In available literature we can find many examples of their negative effects and mechanisms that are involved with such phenomena.

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in environmental pollution; however, knowledge about this aspect is growing at an insufficient pace. There are many potential sources of environmental contamination, including sex hormones—especially estrogens. The analyzed literature shows that estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and synthetic ethinyloestradiol (EE2) are the most significant in terms of environmental impact. Potential sources of contamination are, among others, livestock farms, slaughterhouses, and large urban agglomerations. Estrogens occurring in the environment can negatively affect the organisms, such as animals, through phenomena such as feminization, dysregulation of natural processes related to reproduction, lowering the physiological condition of the organisms, disturbances in the regulation of both proapoptotic and anti-apoptotic processes, and even the occurrence of neoplastic processes thus drastically decreasing animal welfare. Unfortunately, the amount of research conducted on the negative consequences of their impact on animal organisms is many times smaller than that of humans, despite the great richness and diversity of the fauna. Therefore, there is a need for further research to help fill the gaps in our knowledge.

Occurrence of organic micropollutants in an urbanized sub-basin and ecological risk assessment

The João Mendes River - an important contributor to the Piratininga/Itaipu lagoon system in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil - receives untreated sewage from the population occupying the drainage basin with no proper sanitation infrastructure. The present study assessed the ecological risk resulting from the presence of five organic micropollutants (17α-ethynylestradiol, ibuprofen, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, bisphenol A) based on four monitoring campaigns which included three sampling points and one reference area. Chronic ecotoxicity assays were conducted with the bioindicators R. subcapitata, C. dubia and O. niloticus. Estrogenicity was assessed with genetically modified S. cerevisiae based on YES protocol. The Ecological Risk Assessment was conducted based on the Chemical and the Ecotoxicological Lines of Evidence (LoE). In order to analyse the results from different sampling points, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using a correlation matrix. Micropollutants below limit of detection or in very low concentrations were detected in the reference area; no significant differences were observed when samples from the reference area were compared to the negative controls for the ecotoxicity assays. A PCA including selected variables revealed the latent relationships among the three sampling points (not verified for the reference area), which confirmed the analytical results. An extreme ecological risk index was estimated for all sampling points in all campaigns. The extreme ecological risk index was mostly associated to the high concentrations of 17α-ethynylestradiol and the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole.

Effect of chronic UVR exposure on zooplankton molting and growth

Molting is a crucial physiological process in arthropods development, growth, and adult reproduction, where the chitinolytic enzyme chitobiase (CB) and the apoptosis process (caspase-3 activity) play crucial roles. Both molecular endpoints have been observed to be affected by different toxics that may be present in aquatic environments. However, the role of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the molting process remains with poor evidence and the possible effect of the previous exposure on F1 generation is unknown. Here, we conducted laboratory experiments with chronic UVR exposure to test the effect on the molting process of Daphnia commutata. Our results showed a clear negative effect of the UVR that affected the molting process with a reduction in individual growth. This trend was also observed in CB and caspase-3 activities. Our results also suggest that the UV dose received by the mother and eggs has an additive effect with the dose received by the offspring. These results imply that the cumulative impact of small UVR doses (2 h per day, daily dose: 2520 J m^-2 of 340 nm) on mothers and eggs (which cannot be discriminated in our experiments) can have an additive or synergistic effect along with the generations through a potential increase in lethal effect. Finally, the observed desynchronization in the molting process by UVR will affect the fitness of individuals and population dynamics.

Critical knowledge gaps and relevant variables requiring consideration when performing aquatic ecotoxicity assays

The increasing diversity and complexity of contaminants released in the environment continuously lead to new challenges when applying ecotoxicity assays. This paper comprises a review concerning exposure assessment and highlights important variables that should be taken into account when investigating aquatic media toxicity under both laboratory or field conditions. Thus, to reflect as much as possible what occurs in nature, ecotoxicity assays must carefully consider these variables in their experimental design. This includes contaminant properties, the selected bioindicators and biomarkers, the dose mode/regime, concentration vs. load, exposure to single vs. multiple contaminants and exposure of single vs. multiple species. Many of these, however, are not usually taken into account, leading to critical knowledge gaps in this area, discussed in detail herein.

The glutathione S-transferase genes in marine rotifers and copepods: Identification of GSTs and applications for ecotoxicological studies

Various xenobiotics are constantly being released and accumulated into the aquatic environments and consequently, the aquatic organisms are continuously being exposed to exogenous stressors. Among various xenobiotic detoxifying enzymes, Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is one of the major xenobiotic detoxifying enzyme which is widely distributed among living organisms and thus, understanding of the nature of GSTs is crucial. Previous studies have shown GST activity in response to various xenobiotics yet, full identification of GSTs in marine invertebrates is still limited. This review covers information on the importance of GSTs as a biomarker for emerging chemicals and their response to wide ranges of environmental pollutants as well as in-depth phylogenetic analysis of marine invertebrates, including recently identified GSTs belonging to rotifers (Brachionus spp.) and copepods (Tigriopus japonicus and Paracyclopina nana), with unique class-specific features of GSTs, as well as a new suggestion of GST evolutionary pathway.

Evolutionary Toxicogenomics of the Striped Killifish (Fundulus majalis) in the New Bedford Harbor (Massachusetts, USA)

In this paper, we used a Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) approach to find and genotype more than 4000 genome-wide SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) from striped killifish exposed to a variety of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other aromatic pollutants in New Bedford Harbor (NBH, Massachusetts, USA). The aims of this study were to identify the genetic consequences of exposure to aquatic pollutants and detect genes that may be under selection. Low genetic diversity (H_E and π) was found in the site exposed to the highest pollution level, but the pattern of genetic diversity did not match the pollution levels. Extensive connectivity was detected among sampling sites, which suggests that balanced gene flow may explain the lack of genetic variation in response to pollution levels. Tests for selection identified 539 candidate outliers, but many of the candidate outliers were not shared among tests. Differences among test results likely reflect different test assumptions and the complex pollutant mixture. Potentially, selectively important loci are associated with 151 SNPs, and enrichment analysis suggests a likely involvement of these genes with pollutants that occur in NBH. This result suggests that selective processes at genes targeted by pollutants may be occurring, even at a small geographical scale, and may allow the local striped killifish to resist the high pollution levels.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Estriol Using Iron-Doped TiO2 under High and Low UV Irradiation

Iron-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (Fe-TiO2) were synthesized and photocatalitically investigated under high and low fluence values of UV radiation. The Fe-TiO2 physical characterization was performed using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS evidenced that the ferric ion (Fe3+) was in the TiO2 lattice and unintentionally added co-dopants were also present because of the precursors of the synthetic method. The Fe3+ concentration played a key role in the photocatalytic generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and estriol (E3) degradation. Fe-TiO2 accomplished E3 degradation, and it was found that the catalyst with 0.3 at.% content of Fe (0.3 Fe-TiO2) enhanced the photocatalytic activity under low UV irradiation compared with TiO2 without intentionally added Fe (zero-iron TiO2) and Aeroxide® TiO2 P25. Furthermore, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of 0.3 Fe-TiO2 under low UV irradiation may have applications when radiation intensity must be controlled, as in medical applications, or when strong UV absorbing species are present in water.

Occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater treatment plants from different geographical regions-a review

Emerging contaminants, such as antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, hormones, and artificial sweeteners, are recognized as new classes of water contaminants due to their proven or potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This review provides comprehensive data on the occurrence of 60 emerging contaminants (ECs) in influent, treated effluent, sludge, and biosolids in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In particular, data on the occurrence of ECs in the influents and effluents of WWTPs are systematically summarized and categorized according to geographical regions (Asia, Europe, and North America). The occurrence patterns of ECs in raw influent and treated effluents of WWTPs between geographical regions were compared and evaluated. Concentrations of most ECs in raw influent in Asian region tend to be higher than those in European and North American countries. Many antibiotics were detected in the influents and effluents of WWTPs at concentrations close to or exceeding the predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) for resistance selection. The efficacy of EC removal by sorption and biodegradation during wastewater treatment processes are discussed in light of kinetics and parameters, such as sorption coefficients (K_d) and biodegradation constants (k_biol), and physicochemical properties (i.e. log K_ow and pK_a). Commonly used sampling and monitoring strategies are critically reviewed. Analytical research needs are identified, and novel investigative approaches for future monitoring studies are proposed.

Resource efficiency analysis for photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of estriol using TiO2 nanoparticles

A resource efficiency analysis was developed that evaluated photocatalyst loading and temperature inputs, and assessed hydroxyl radical (OH) production. Catalyst loading (Aeroxide^® TiO₂ P25) between 1 and 1500 mg L^-1 and temperatures between 5 and 50 °C were analyzed as input resources for OH production. After, the best experimental conditions were used to degrade and mineralize estriol (E3). The analysis showed that a low catalyst concentration lead to poor absorption of radiation and a slow reaction. When high catalyst concentrations were tested, most of the radiation was absorbed, which produced results near the top of the slowing rate of OH generation. Temperature was found a relevant resource for increasing interfacial transfer to facilitate OH production following the Arrhenius model. Two indices to measure resource efficiency were proposed: 1) the OH generation index (OHI) and 2) the initial degradation efficiency (IDE). OHI was used to measure the efficiency of a catalyst using photonic flux to generate OH production. IDE evaluated the relationship between the photocatalytic reactor set-up, catalyst, and E3 degradation. It was observed that 1.18 OH was produced when a photon interacts with a photocatalyst particle when a load of 5 mg L^-1 of photocatalyst is used at 20 °C. It was found that at initial time, 2.4 OH was generated in the systems to produce a degradation of one E3 molecule when using a photocatalyst load of 20 mg L^-1 at 20 °C. Additionally, it was demonstrated that E3 mineralization was feasible under different catalyst loading scenarios.

LC-MS/MS signal enhancement for estrogenic hormones in water samples using experimental design

Present paper describes the optimization of LC-MS/MS conditions by using experimental design for selective and sensitive determination of estrogenic hormones namely estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), estriol (E3) and ethinyl estradiol (EE2).

A candidate short-term toxicity test using Ampelisca brevicornis to assess sublethal responses to pharmaceuticals bound to marine sediments

Lethal and sublethal responses related to different phases of metabolism (phases I and II enzymatic activities), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase activity), oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities), and genetic damage (DNA strand breaks) were analysed to assess the possible adverse effects of pharmaceuticals bound to marine sediments. The crustacean amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis was chosen as the bioindicator species. Organisms were exposed for 10 days to sediment spiked with pharmaceutical compounds frequently used and previously detected in the environment: carbamazepine (CBZ), ibuprofen (IBP), fluoxetine (FX), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), propranolol (PRO), and caffeine (CAF). Short-term bioassay to evaluate amphipod mortality was recommended to assess pollution by CBZ, FX, and PRO. IBP and PRO were metabolized by phases I and II detoxification enzymatic activities. Oxidative stress was caused by PRO and CAF. Contrary to expected results, DNA damage (strand breaks) decreased after the exposure of amphipods to sediment spiked with IBP, FX, EE2, PRO, and CAF (including environmental concentrations). FX was neurotoxic to amphipods. The battery of biomarkers tested allowed the assessment of bioavailability, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity of the pharmaceuticals analysed. The results of this study suggested that pharmaceutical products at concentrations currently found in the environment might cause a wide variety of adverse effects (based on laboratory studies). The results obtained here are useful for environmental risk assessment of marine sediments contaminated by pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, more research is needed using field-based marine sediments.

Direct and indirect responses of a freshwater food web to a potent synthetic oestrogen

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in municipal effluents directly affect the sexual development and reproductive success of fishes, but indirect effects on invertebrate prey or fish predators through reduced predation or prey availability, respectively, are unknown. At the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario, Canada, a long-term, whole-lake experiment was conducted using a before-after-control-impact design to determine both direct and indirect effects of the synthetic oestrogen used in the birth control pill, 17α-ethynyloestradiol (EE2). Algal, microbial, zooplankton and benthic invertebrate communities showed no declines in abundance during three summers of EE2 additions (5-6 ng l(-1)), indicating no direct toxic effects. Recruitment of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) failed, leading to a near-extirpation of this species both 2 years during (young-of-year, YOY) and 2 years following (adults and YOY) EE2 additions. Body condition of male lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and male and female white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) declined before changes in prey abundance, suggesting direct effects of EE2 on this endpoint. Evidence of indirect effects of EE2 was also observed. Increases in zooplankton, Chaoborus, and emerging insects were observed after 2 or 3 years of EE2 additions, strongly suggesting indirect effects mediated through the reduced abundance of several small-bodied fishes. Biomass of top predator lake trout declined by 23-42% during and after EE2 additions, most probably an indirect effect from the loss of its prey species, the fathead minnow and slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus). Our results demonstrate that small-scale studies focusing solely on direct effects are likely to underestimate the true environmental impacts of oestrogens in municipal wastewaters and provide further evidence of the value of whole-ecosystem experiments for understanding indirect effects of EDCs and other aquatic stressors.

Effects of single and mixed estrogens on single and combined cultures of D. subspicatus and P. subcapitata

This paper investigates the effect of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) individually and mixed at equal proportions (1:1:1) on Desmodesmus subspicatus and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in single and combined cultures (S+) at different exposure times based on algal growth (in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence and cell counting) and coenobium formation. EE2 and E2 were more toxic to individual and combined (S+) cultures than was E1. The frequency of coenobium formation by D. subspicatus increased significantly for all estrogens and all concentrations. After 96 h, D. subspicatus prevailed in S+. The results of the exposure to E+ suggested a less-than-additive effect on D. subspicatus and S+ and additive effect on P. subcapitata. Toxic effects occurred for both species exposed to E+ with individual estrogen concentrations below the NOEC of each species. Assays must include changes in response due to the exposure of more than one species to more than one estrogen.

Novel magnetic multi-template molecularly imprinted polymers for specific separation and determination of three endocrine disrupting compounds simultaneously in environmental water samples

A novel type of superparamagnetic molecularly imprinted polymers introducing unique concept of multi-template for specific separation and determination of three endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) simultaneously.