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Vanden Heuvel JP, Granda M, Ferguson F, Glaberman SR, Preisendanz HE. Priority screening of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in surface water: Comparing cell-based bioassays and exposure-activity ratios (EARs). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176115. [PMID: 39260470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176115] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we compared a wide range of cell-based bioassays to the use of chemical analysis followed by exposure-activity ratio (EAR) and Toxicological Prioritization index (ToxPi) for prioritizing chemicals, sites, and hazard concerns in water samples. Surface water samples were collected from nine sites in three Central Pennsylvania streams and analyzed for a forty-six contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pesticides, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. Cell-based reporter assays evaluated human and zebrafish molecular initiating events (MIEs) in endocrine and metabolic disruption, altered lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. Bioassays showed that 12 out of 40 assays had at least one site with activity over the effect-based trigger (EBT) values. The receptors that exhibited the highest number of samples above the EBT that would be expected to cause toxicity were Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR, human and zebrafish), Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), Estrogen Receptor-beta (ERB), and Androgen Receptor (AR). Characterizing the collection sites by their bioactivity aligned closely with the stream in which samples were collected. The sum of all EARs for each chemical indicated that the pharmaceutical Carbamazepine and the pesticides Carbaryl and Atrazine posed the greatest concern. However, predicted activity and site prioritization based on individual chemical analysis and calculated EAR were different than those measured by bioassay, indicating that biologically active chemicals are present in the samples that were not included in the targeted analytes. Taken together, these data show that chemical analysis and EAR analysis are beneficial for prioritization of chemicals, whereas mechanism-based bioassays are more inclusive of known as well as unknown chemical contaminants and thus of more use for overall water quality analysis and site prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Vanden Heuvel
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA; INDIGO Biosciences, Inc., 3006 Research Drive, State College, PA 16801, USA; Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Megan Granda
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Francesca Ferguson
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Scott R Glaberman
- Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Heather E Preisendanz
- Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
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2
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Lin Y, Li G, Rivera MS, Jiang T, Cotto I, Carpenter CMG, Rich SL, Giese RW, Helbling DE, Padilla IY, Rosario-Pabón Z, Alshawabkeh AN, Pinto A, Gu AZ. Long-term impact of Hurricane Maria on point-of-use drinking water quality in Puerto Rico and associated potential adverse health effects. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 265:122213. [PMID: 39173351 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122213] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Drinking water security in Puerto Rico (PR) is increasingly challenged by both regulated and emerging anthropogenic contaminants, which was exacerbated by the Hurricane Maria (HM) due to impaired regional water cycle and damaged water infrastructure. Leveraging the NIEHS PROTECT (Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats) cohort, this study assessed the long-term tap water (TW) quality changes from March 2018 to November 2018 after HM in PR, by innovatively integrating two different effect-based quantitative toxicity assays with a targeted analysis of 200 organic and 22 inorganic pollutants. Post-hurricane PR TW quality showed recovery after >6-month period as indicated by the decreased number of contaminants showing elevated average concentrations relative to pre-hurricane samples, with significant difference of both chemical and toxicity levels between northern and southern PR. Molecular toxicity profiling and correlation revealed that the HM-accelerated releases of certain pesticides and PPCPs could exert increased cellular oxidative and/or AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor)-mediated activities that may persist for more than six months after HM. Maximum cumulative ratio and adverse outcome pathway (AOP) assessment identified the top ranked detected TW contaminants (Cu, Sr, V, perfluorooctanoic acid) that potentially associated with different adverse health effects such as inflammation, impaired reproductive systems, cancers/tumors, and/or organ toxicity. These insights can be incorporated into the regulatory framework for post-disaster risk assessment, guiding water quality control and management for public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishan Lin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Guangyu Li
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Maria Sevillano Rivera
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Irmarie Cotto
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Corey M G Carpenter
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Stephanie L Rich
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Roger W Giese
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Ingrid Y Padilla
- Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00682, United States
| | - Zaira Rosario-Pabón
- University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936, United States
| | - Akram N Alshawabkeh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ameet Pinto
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - April Z Gu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
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3
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Qian W, Yang Y, Xinyue D, Hanqi L, Lanlan C, Wenhui H, Juan-Ying L. Reducing baseline toxicity in fishery product-related sediments from land to sea: Region-specific solutions are required. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174024. [PMID: 38906300 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174024] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Eastern China is a major producer of fishery products (including inland aquaculture, coastal mariculture, and coastal fishing products). The quality of the products is affected by hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in the sediments. Based on in-vitro luminescent bacterial assay, the baseline toxicity (BEQBio) of 56 common HOCs were assessed in the present study. Specifically, the BEQBio of sediments declined from land (31-400 mg/kg) to sea (9.1-270 mg/kg). However, the toxicity contribution explained by the HOCs increased gradually from land (0.70 %) to sea (10 %) using Iceberg Modeling. In the inland pond, current use HOCs (pyrethroid pesticide (PEs), organic tin (OTCs), and antibiotic) exhibited considerable concentrations, although their toxicity contribution was very small (0.076 %), thus more regulations on the use of HOCs should be proposed and further screening is needed to confirm the major toxicants. In coastal mariculture area, the toxicity contribution of current use HOCs further declined (0.010 %), whereas environmental background HOCs, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), became increasingly significant, with the contribution ratio increasing from 0.37 % to 2.4 %. To minimize the negative impacts of PAHs, optimization of energy structure in transportation and coastal industry is required. In the coastal fishing area, the phased-out persistent organic pollutants (POPs) remained a major concern, in terms of both concentration and toxicity contribution. The phased-out POPs explained 7.0 % of the toxic effects of the sediments from the coastal fishing area, due to historical residue, industrial emissions, and their high toxicities. For this reason, it is critical to improve the relevant emission regulations and standards, so as to eventually reduce the unintentional discharges of POPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Qian
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Pudong, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Yu Yang
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Pudong, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Dong Xinyue
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Pudong, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Liu Hanqi
- East China Sea Ecological Center, MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources), Shanghai 201206, China
| | - Chu Lanlan
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Pudong, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - He Wenhui
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Pudong, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of River and Lake Biochain Construction and Resource Utilization, Shanghai 201702, China
| | - Li Juan-Ying
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Pudong, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of River and Lake Biochain Construction and Resource Utilization, Shanghai 201702, China.
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4
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Lee THY, Li C, Dos Santos MM, Tan SY, Sureshkumar M, Srinuansom K, Ziegler AD, Snyder SA. Assessment of emerging and persistent contaminants in an anthropogenic-impacted watershed: Application using targeted, non-targeted, and in vitro bioassay techniques. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143067. [PMID: 39128775 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143067] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Emerging and persistent contaminants (EPC) pose a significant challenge to water quality monitoring efforts. Effect-based monitoring (EBM) techniques provide an efficient and systematic approach in water quality monitoring, but they tend to be resource intensive. In this study, we investigated the EPC distribution for various land uses using target analysis (TA) and non-target screening (NTS) and in vitro bioassays, both individually and integrated, in the upper Ping River Catchment, northern Thailand. Our findings of NTS showed that urban areas were the most contaminated of all land use types, although agriculture sites had high unexpected pollution levels. We evaluated the reliability of NTS data by comparing it to TA and observed varying inconsistencies likely due to matrix interferences and isobaric compound interferences. Integrating NTS with in vitro bioassays for a thorough analysis posed challenges, primary due to a scarcity of concentration data for key compounds, and potentially additive or non-additive effects of mixture samples that could not be accounted for. While EBM approaches place emphasis on toxic sites, this study demonstrated the importance of considering non-bioactive sites that contain toxic compounds with antagonistic effects that may go undetected by traditional monitoring approaches. The present work emphasizes the importance of improving NTS workflows and ensuring high-quality EBM analyses in future water quality monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Hui Yian Lee
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Caixia Li
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Mauricius Marques Dos Santos
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Suan Yong Tan
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Mithusha Sureshkumar
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore
| | - Khajornkiat Srinuansom
- Faculty of Fisheries Technology & Aquatic Resources, Maejo University, Nong Han, San Sai District, Chiang Mai, 50290, Thailand
| | - Alan D Ziegler
- Faculty of Fisheries Technology & Aquatic Resources, Maejo University, Nong Han, San Sai District, Chiang Mai, 50290, Thailand; Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2540 Dole St., Holmes Hall 283, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Shane Allen Snyder
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore.
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Matranxhi B, Mertens B, Anthonissen R, Maes J, Ny A, de Witte P, Brouhon JM, De Bast B, Elskens M. Assessment of receptor-mediated activity (AhR and ERα), mutagenicity, and teratogenicity of metal shredder wastes in Wallonia, Belgium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:55263-55279. [PMID: 39225929 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
In this study, hazardous wastes including fluff, dust, and scrubbing sludge were sampled in 2019 from two metal shredding facilities located in Wallonia, Belgium. To assess the extent of the contamination, a global approach combining chemical and biological techniques was used, to better reflect the risks to health and the environment. The samples investigated induced significant in vitro aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonistic bioactivities and estrogenic receptor (ERα) (ant)agonistic bioactivities in the respective CALUX (chemical activated luciferase gene expression) bioassays. The mutagenicity of the samples was investigated with the bacterial reverse gene mutation test using the Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. Except for the sludge sample (site 3), all samples induced a mutagenic response in the TA98 strain (± S9 metabolic fraction) whereas in the TA100 strain (+ S9 metabolic fraction), only the sludge sample (site 2) showed a clear mutagenic effect. The in vivo toxicity/teratogenicity of the shredder wastes was further evaluated with zebrafish embryos. Except for the dust sample (site 2), all samples were found to be teratogenic as they returned teratogenic indexes (TIs) > 1. The high levels of contamination, the mutagenicity, and the teratogenicity of these shredder wastes raise significant concerns about their potential negative impacts on both human health and environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besarta Matranxhi
- Laboratory of Archaeology, Environmental Changes and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Sciensano, SD Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Jan Maes
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Gasthuisberg Campus O&N 2, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelii Ny
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Gasthuisberg Campus O&N 2, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter de Witte
- Laboratory for Molecular Biodiscovery, KU Leuven, Gasthuisberg Campus O&N 2, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marc Brouhon
- Walloon Air and Climate Agency (AwAC), Public Service of Wallonia, Jambes, Belgium
| | - Benoit De Bast
- Walloon Air and Climate Agency (AwAC), Public Service of Wallonia, Jambes, Belgium
| | - Marc Elskens
- Laboratory of Archaeology, Environmental Changes and Geo-Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Ixelles, Belgium.
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6
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de Schepper JKH, Slootweg T, Behnisch P, Felzel E, Houtman CJ. Beyond the Drinking Water Directive: The use of reporter gene assays as an added tool for effect-based monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in drinking water sources. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173366. [PMID: 38796005 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173366] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are legacy organic micropollutants (OMPs) that are sporadically detected in drinking water (DW) sources. The European Drinking Water Directive requires EU member states to monitor 5 PAHs in DW and its sources. The Dutch national regulations require 6 additional PAHs to be monitored and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These indicator compounds act as representatives for large compound classes. PCBs alone comprise 209 congeners, it is evident that conventional chemical target analysis (GC-tQ-MS) alone is not sufficient to monitor these entire compound classes. This study investigated the application of reporter gene assays as effect-based methods (EBMs) to monitor PAHs and PCBs in DW sources. Herein, it was assessed what added value the bioassays can bring compared to the current approach of chemical target analysis for PCBs and PAHs. Regulated and non-regulated PAHs and PCBs were tested in four bioassays to determine the relative potency factors (RPFs) for these compounds. Non-regulated congeners were found to be active in the PAH-CALUX and anti-AR CALUX. An assessment of surface water (SW) spiked with standard mixtures containing PAHs and PCBs confirmed the predictable behavior of the PAH-CALUX. Moreover, the bioassay was able to detect AhR-mediated activity caused by non-regulated PAHs and PCBs, whereas this would have been missed by conventional chemical target analysis. Last, a field study was conducted in Dutch DW sources at six sampling moments. The PAH-CALUX detected AhR-mediated activity at all sampling moments and an ecological effect-based trigger (EBT) value was exceeded on multiple accounts. Combined application of GC-tQ-MS and the PAH-CALUX ensures compliancy with monitoring legislation and provides additional insights into potential hazards to humans and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K H de Schepper
- Het Waterlaboratorium N.V. (HWL), 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - T Slootweg
- Het Waterlaboratorium N.V. (HWL), 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - P Behnisch
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E Felzel
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C J Houtman
- Het Waterlaboratorium N.V. (HWL), 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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7
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Leppanen MT, Sourisseau S, Burgess RM, Simpson SL, Sibley P, Jonker MTO. Sediment Toxicity Tests: A Critical Review of Their use in Environmental Regulations. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1697-1716. [PMID: 38597781 PMCID: PMC11326746 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Sediments are an integral component of aquatic systems, linking multiple water uses, functions, and services. Contamination of sediments by chemicals is a worldwide problem, with many jurisdictions trying to prevent future pollution (prospective) and manage existing contamination (retrospective). The present review assesses the implementation of sediment toxicity testing in environmental regulations globally. Currently, the incorporation of sediment toxicity testing in regulations is most common in the European Union (EU), North America, and Australasian regions, with some expansion in Asia and non-EU Europe. Employing sediment toxicity testing in prospective assessments (i.e., before chemicals are allowed on the market) is most advanced and harmonized with pesticides. In the retrospective assessment of environmental risks (i.e., chemicals already contaminating sediments), regulatory sediment toxicity testing practices are applied inconsistently on the global scale. International harmonization of sediment toxicity tests is considered an asset and has been successful through the widespread adoption and deployment of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines. On the other hand, retrospective sediment assessments benefit from incorporating regional species and protocols. Currently used toxicity testing species are diverse, with temperate species being applied most often, whereas test protocols are insufficiently flexible to appropriately address the range of environmental contaminants, including nanomaterials, highly hydrophobic contaminants, and ionized chemicals. The ever-increasing and -changing pressures placed on aquatic resources are a challenge for protection and management efforts, calling for continuous sediment toxicity test method improvement to insure effective use in regulatory frameworks. Future developments should focus on including more subtle and specific toxicity endpoints (e.g., incorporating bioavailability-based in vitro tests) and genomic techniques, extending sediment toxicity testing from single to multispecies approaches, and providing a better link with ecological protection goals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1697-1716. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert M Burgess
- Atlantic Coastal Environmental Science Division, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, Rhode Island
| | | | - Paul Sibley
- School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michiel T O Jonker
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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8
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Slaby S, Duflot A, Zapater C, Gómez A, Couteau J, Maillet G, Knigge T, Pinto PIS, Monsinjon T. The Dicentrarchus labrax estrogen screen test: A relevant tool to screen estrogen-like endocrine disrupting chemicals in the aquatic environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142601. [PMID: 38880263 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142601] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
In response to the need for the diversification of regulatory bioassays to screen estrogen-like endocrine disrupting chemical (EEDC) in the environment, we propose the use of a reporter gene assay involving all nuclear estrogen receptors from Dicentrarchus labrax (i.e., sbEsr1, sbEsr2a, or sbEsr2b). Named DLES test (D. labrax estrogen screen), it aims at complementing existing standardized in vitro tests by implementing more estrogen receptors notably those that do not originate from humans. Positive responses were obtained with all three estrogen receptors, and-consistently with observations from other species-variations in sensitivity to E2 were measured. Sensitivity and EC50 values could be classified as follows: sbEsr2b < sbEsr2a < sbEsr1. The pharmacological characterization with a human estrogen receptor antagonist (fulvestrant) successfully validated the specific involvement of each sbEsr and evidenced the capacity of the DLES test to highlight antagonist interactions. The DLES test was applied to WWTP contaminant extracts. A positive response was detected in the inflow sample in accordance with the YES test, but not in the outflow sample. Notwithstanding, the DLES test (sbEsr2b) exhibited greater sensitivity for the screening of those samples. This study demonstrates the need for more comprehensive testing including representatives of marine species for a better detection of EEDCs. The DLES test appears as a pertinent tool to predict adverse effects and to widen the scope of screening and hazard assessment of EEDCs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Slaby
- Normandie Univ, UNILEHAVRE, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), Le Havre, France.
| | - Aurélie Duflot
- Normandie Univ, UNILEHAVRE, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), Le Havre, France.
| | - Cinta Zapater
- Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellon, Spain.
| | - Ana Gómez
- Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), Castellon, Spain.
| | | | | | - Thomas Knigge
- Normandie Univ, UNILEHAVRE, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), Le Havre, France.
| | - Patrícia I S Pinto
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology and Integrative Biology, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), Faro, Portugal.
| | - Tiphaine Monsinjon
- Normandie Univ, UNILEHAVRE, FR CNRS 3730 SCALE, UMR-I 02 Environmental Stress and Aquatic Biomonitoring (SEBIO), Le Havre, France.
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9
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Carlin DJ, Rider CV. Combined Exposures and Mixtures Research: An Enduring NIEHS Priority. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:75001. [PMID: 38968090 PMCID: PMC11225971 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) continues to prioritize research to better understand the health effects resulting from exposure to mixtures of chemical and nonchemical stressors. Mixtures research activities over the last decade were informed by expert input during the development and deliberations of the 2011 NIEHS Workshop "Advancing Research on Mixtures: New Perspectives and Approaches for Predicting Adverse Human Health Effects." NIEHS mixtures research efforts since then have focused on key themes including a) prioritizing mixtures for study, b) translating mixtures data from in vitro and in vivo studies, c) developing cross-disciplinary collaborations, d) informing component-based and whole-mixture assessment approaches, e) developing sufficient similarity methods to compare across complex mixtures, f) using systems-based approaches to evaluate mixtures, and g) focusing on management and integration of mixtures-related data. OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe NIEHS driven research on mixtures and combined exposures over the last decade and present areas for future attention. RESULTS Intramural and extramural mixtures research projects have incorporated a diverse array of chemicals (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, botanicals, personal care products, wildfire emissions) and nonchemical stressors (e.g., socioeconomic factors, social adversity) and have focused on many diseases (e.g., breast cancer, atherosclerosis, immune disruption). We have made significant progress in certain areas, such as developing statistical methods for evaluating multiple chemical associations in epidemiology and building translational mixtures projects that include both in vitro and in vivo models. DISCUSSION Moving forward, additional work is needed to improve mixtures data integration, elucidate interactions between chemical and nonchemical stressors, and resolve the geospatial and temporal nature of mixture exposures. Continued mixtures research will be critical to informing cumulative impact assessments and addressing complex challenges, such as environmental justice and climate change. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14340.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Carlin
- Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cynthia V. Rider
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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10
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Amankwah BK, Šauer P, Grabicová K, von der Ohe PC, Ayıkol NS, Kocour Kroupová H. Organic UV filters: Occurrence, risks and (anti-)progestogenic activities in samples from the Czech aquatic environment and their bioaccumulation in fish. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134338. [PMID: 38643577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134338] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence, environmental risks and contribution of organic UV filters to detected (anti-)progestogenic activities were examined in samples of wastewater treatment plant influents and effluents, various surface waters and fish from the Czech Republic. Of the 20 targeted UV filters, 15 were detected in the WWTP influent samples, 11 in the effluents, and 13 in the surface water samples. Benzophenone-3, benzophenone-4, and phenyl benzimidazole sulfonic acid (PBSA) were found in all water samples. Octocrylene, UV-327 and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor exceeded the risk quotient of 1 at some sites. In the anti-progestogenic CALUX assay, 10 out of the 20 targeted UV filters were active. Anti-progestogenic activities reaching up to 7.7 ng/L, 3.8 ng/L, and 4.5 ng/L mifepristone equivalents were detected in influents, effluents, and surface waters, respectively. UV filters were responsible for up to 37 % of anti-progestogenic activities in influents. Anti-progestogenic activities were also measured in fish tissues from the control pond and Podroužek (pond with the highest number of detected UV filters) and ranged from 2.2 to 9.5 and 1.9 to 8.6 ng/g dw mifepristone equivalents, respectively. However, only benzophenone was found in fish, but it does not display anti-progestogenic activity and thus could not explain the observed activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Kyei Amankwah
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Grabicová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Peter C von der Ohe
- UBA - German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, D-06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Nurhan Sultan Ayıkol
- Ankara University, Graduate School of Health Science, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Turkiye
| | - Hana Kocour Kroupová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
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11
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Mikušová P, Toušová Z, Sehnal L, Kuta J, Grabicová K, Fedorova G, Marek M, Grabic R, Hilscherová K. Identification of new endocrine disruptive transthyretin ligands in polluted waters using pull-down assay coupled to non-target mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134240. [PMID: 38678700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134240] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Surface and treated wastewater are contaminated with highly complex mixtures of micropollutants, which may cause numerous adverse effects, often mediated by endocrine disruption. However, there is limited knowledge regarding some important modes of action, such as interference with thyroid hormone (TH) regulation, and the compounds driving these effects. This study describes an effective approach for the identification of compounds with the potential to bind to transthyretin (TTR; protein distributing TH to target tissues), based on their specific separation in a pull-down assay followed by non-target analysis (NTA). The method was optimized with known TTR ligands and applied to complex water samples. The specific separation of TTR ligands provided a substantial reduction of chromatographic features from the original samples. The applied NTA workflow resulted in the identification of 34 structures. Twelve compounds with available standards were quantified in the original extracts and their TH-displacement potency was confirmed. Eleven compounds were discovered as TTR binders for the first time and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) were highlighted as contaminants of concern. Pull-down assay combined with NTA proved to be a well-functioning approach for the identification of unknown bioactive compounds in complex mixtures with great application potential across various biological targets and environmental compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mikušová
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Z Toušová
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - L Sehnal
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen, Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics (IBMI), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - J Kuta
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - K Grabicová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - G Fedorova
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - M Marek
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - R Grabic
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - K Hilscherová
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, RECETOX, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
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12
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Rosenberger T, Bell AM, Reifferscheid G, Smith KEC, Schäffer A, Ternes TA, Buchinger S. Extrapolation of cytotoxic masked effects in planar in vitro assays. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:3519-3532. [PMID: 38656365 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05302-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The masking of specific effects in in vitro assays by cytotoxicity is a commonly known phenomenon. This may result in a partial or complete loss of effect signals. For common in vitro assays, approaches for identifying and quantifying cytotoxic masking are partly available. However, a quantification of cytotoxicity-affected signals is not possible. As an alternative, planar bioassays that combine high-performance thin layer chromatography with in vitro assays, such as the planar yeast estrogen screen (p-YES), might allow for a quantification of cytotoxically affected signals. Affected signals form a typical ring structure with a supressed or completely lacking centre that results in a double peak chromatogram. This study investigates whether these double peaks can be used for fitting a peak function to extrapolate the theoretical, unaffected signals. The precision of the modelling was evaluated for four individual peak functions, using 42 ideal, undistorted peaks from estrogenic model compounds in the p-YES. Modelled ED50-values from bisphenol A (BPA) experiments with cytotoxically disturbed signals were 13 times higher than for the apparent data without compensation for cytotoxicity (320 ± 63 ng versus 24 ± 17 ng). This finding has a high relevance for the modelling of mixture effects according to concentration addition that requires unaffected, complete dose-response relationships. Finally, we applied the approach to results of a p-YES assay on leachate samples of an elastomer material used in water engineering. In summary, the fitting approach enables the quantitative evaluation of cytotoxically affected signals in planar in vitro assays and also has applications for other fields of chemical analysis like distorted chromatography signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Rosenberger
- Department G - Qualitative Hydrology, Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Bell
- Department G - Qualitative Hydrology, Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Georg Reifferscheid
- Department G - Qualitative Hydrology, Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Kilian E C Smith
- Environmental Chemistry - Department of Water, Environment, Construction and Safety, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Breitscheidstraße 2, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schäffer
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Department G - Qualitative Hydrology, Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Buchinger
- Department G - Qualitative Hydrology, Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany.
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13
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Zhou J, He X, Zhang Z, Wu G, Liu P, Wang D, Shi P, Zhang XX. Chemical-toxicological insights and process comparison for estrogenic activity mitigation in municipal wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121304. [PMID: 38364463 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121304] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Efforts in water ecosystem conservation require an understanding of causative factors and removal efficacies associated with mixture toxicity during wastewater treatment. This study conducts a comprehensive investigation into the interplay between wastewater estrogenic activity and 30 estrogen-like endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDCs) across 12 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) spanning four seasons in China. Results reveal substantial estrogenic activity in all WWTPs and potential endocrine-disrupting risks in over 37.5 % of final effluent samples, with heightened effects during colder seasons. While phthalates are the predominant EEDCs (concentrations ranging from 86.39 %) for both estrogenic activity and major EEDCs (phthalates and estrogens), with the secondary and tertiary treatment segments contributing 88.59 ± 8.12 % and 11.41 ± 8.12 %, respectively. Among various secondary treatment processes, the anaerobic/anoxic/oxic-membrane bioreactor (A/A/O-MBR) excels in removing both estrogenic activity and EEDCs. In tertiary treatment, removal efficiencies increase with the inclusion of components involving physical, chemical, and biological removal principles. Furthermore, correlation and multiple liner regression analysis establish a significant (p < 0.05) positive association between solid retention time (SRT) and removal efficiencies of estrogenic activity and EEDCs within WWTPs. This study provides valuable insights from the perspective of prioritizing key pollutants, the necessity of integrating more efficient secondary and tertiary treatment processes, along with adjustments to operational parameters like SRT, to mitigate estrogenic activity in municipal WWTPs. This contribution aids in managing endocrine-disrupting risks in wastewater as part of ecological conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiwei He
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Zepeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Depeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Peng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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14
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Sommaggio LRD, Mazzeo DEC, Malvestiti JA, Dantas RF, Marin-Morales MA. Influence of ozonation and UV/H 2O 2 on the genotoxicity of secondary wastewater effluents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170883. [PMID: 38354810 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170883] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The implementation of novel wastewater treatment technologies, including Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) such as ozonation and ultraviolet radiation (UV) combined with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can be a promising strategy for enhancing the quality of these effluents. However, during effluent oxidation AOPs may produce toxic compounds that can compromise the water reuse and the receiving water body. Given this possibility, the aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of secondary effluents from two different Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) that were subjected to ozonation or UV/H2O2 for periods of 20 (T1) and 40 (T2) minutes. The genotoxic potential was carried out with the Comet assay (for clastogenic damage) and the Micronucleus assay (for clastogenic and aneugenic damage) in HepG2/C3A cell culture (metabolizing cell line). The results of the comet assay revealed a significant increase in tail intensity in the Municipal WWTP (dry period) effluents treated with UV/H2O2 (T1 and T2). MN occurrence was noted across all treatments in both Pilot and Municipal WWTP (dry period) effluents, whereas nuclear buds (NBs) were noted for all Pilot WWTP treatments and UV/H2O2 treatments of Municipal WWTP (dry period). Moreover, the UV/H2O2 (T1) treatment of Municipal WWTP (dry period) exhibited a noteworthy incidence of multiple alterations per cell (MN + NBs). These findings imply that UV/H2O2 treatment demonstrates higher genotoxic potential compared to ozonation. Furthermore, seasonal variations can have an impact on the genotoxicity of the samples. Results of the study emphasize the importance of conducting genotoxicological tests using human cell cultures, such as HepG2/C3A, to assess the final effluent quality from WWTP before its discharge or reuse. This precaution is essential to safeguard the integrity of the receiving water body and, by extension, the biotic components it contains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Roberta Deroldo Sommaggio
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Dânia Elisa Christofoletti Mazzeo
- Department of Biotechnology and Plant and Animal Production, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Araras, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jacqueline Aparecida Malvestiti
- School of Technology, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Paschoal Marmo 1888, 13484332, Limeira, SP, Brazil; Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Centenário, 303, Piracicaba, SP, 13400-970, Brazil
| | - Renato Falcão Dantas
- School of Technology, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Paschoal Marmo 1888, 13484332, Limeira, SP, Brazil.
| | - Maria Aparecida Marin-Morales
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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15
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Oldenkamp R, Hamers T, Wilkinson J, Slootweg J, Posthuma L. Regulatory Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Current Practice and Future Priorities. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:611-622. [PMID: 36484757 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
How can data on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment and the quality of ecosystems exposed to PPCPs be used to determine whether current regulatory risk assessment schemes are effective? This is one of 20 "big questions" concerning PPCPs in the environment posed in a landmark review paper in 2012. Ten years later, we review the developments around this question, focusing on the first P in PPCPs, that is, pharmaceuticals, or more specifically the active ingredients included in them (active pharmaceutical ingredients, APIs). We illustrate how extensive data on both the occurrence of APIs and the ecotoxicological sensitivity of aquatic species to them can be used in a retrospective risk assessment. In the Netherlands, current regulatory risk assessment schemes offer insufficient protection against direct ecotoxicological effects from APIs: the toxic pressure exerted by the 39 APIs included in our study exceeds the policy-related protective threshold of 0.05 (the "95%-protection level") in at least 13% of sampled surface waters. In general, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products (e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen) contributed most to the overall toxic pressure, followed by sex hormones and modulators of the genital system (e.g., ethinylestradiol) and psychoanaleptics (e.g., caffeine). We formulated three open questions for future research. The first relates to improving the availability and accessibility of good-quality ecotoxicity data on pharmaceuticals for the global scientific, regulatory, and general public. The second relates to the adaptation of regulatory risk assessment frameworks for developing regions of the world. The third relates to the integration of effect-based and ecological approaches into regulatory risk assessment practice. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:611-622. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Oldenkamp
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Timo Hamers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John Wilkinson
- Environment and Geography Department, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jaap Slootweg
- RIVM, Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Leo Posthuma
- RIVM, Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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16
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Gea M, Spina F, Revello R, Fea E, Gilli G, Varese GC, Schilirò T. Estrogenic activity in wastewater treatment plants through in vitro effect-based assays: Insights into extraction phase. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 354:120412. [PMID: 38402785 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120412] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Effluents of wastewater treatment plants can abundantly spread endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment. To improve water quality monitoring, the use of effect-based tools that measure estrogenic activity has been suggested, however their results could be influenced by different factors. This study compared the estrogenic activity of wastewater samples extracted with two stationary phases and tested with two in vitro effect-based assays to investigate whether and how stationary phases and assays could influence biomonitoring data. During four seasonal periods, the effluents of six WWTPs located in northern Italy were sampled. After the extraction using two different stationary phases (HLB, C18), the samples (n = 72) were tested using two effect-based assays: a gene reporter luciferase assay on mammalian cells (MELN) and yeast estrogen screen assay (YES). The results showed that estrogenic activity of HLB extracts was significantly different from the activity of C18 extracts, suggesting that extraction phase can influence biomonitoring data. Moreover, the estrogenic activity was overall higher using gene reporter MELN assay than using YES assay, suggesting that, due to difference in cell membrane permeability and metabolic activation, the applied cell model can affect the biomonitoring results. Finally, from the comparison between the activity of the final effluent and the environmentally safe estrogenic levels in surface waters, MELN data suggested that the activity of this effluent may pose an environmental risk, while YES data showed that it should not be considered a threat to the receiving surface waters. This study pointed out that a standardized approach is needed to assess the estrogenic activity of waters; it reported important data to select the most suitable stationary phase for samples extraction (samples extracted with C18 sorbent showed higher estradiol equivalent concentration values) and the most appropriate bioassay (gene reporter luciferase MELN assay was more sensitive than YES assay) to assess the environmental risk, thus protecting human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gea
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Federica Spina
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Roberta Revello
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Fea
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Gilli
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | | | - Tiziana Schilirò
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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17
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Leusch FDL, Allen H, De Silva NAL, Hodson R, Johnson M, Neale PA, Stewart M, Tremblay LA, Wilde T, Northcott GL. Effect-based monitoring of two rivers under urban and agricultural influence reveals a range of biological activities in sediment and water extracts. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119692. [PMID: 38039589 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119692] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Chemical contaminants, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial compounds are ubiquitous in surface water and sediment in areas subject to human activity. While targeted chemical analysis is typically used for water and sediment quality monitoring, there is growing interest in applying effect-based methods with in vitro bioassays to capture the effects of all active contaminants in a sample. The current study evaluated the biological effects in surface water and sediment from two contrasting catchments in Aotearoa New Zealand, the highly urbanised Whau River catchment in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and the urban and mixed agricultural Koreti (New River) Estuary catchment. Two complementary passive sampling devices, Chemcatcher for polar chemicals and polyethylene (PED) for non-polar chemicals, were applied to capture a wide range of contaminants in water, while composite sediment samples were collected at each sampling site. Bioassays indicative of induction of xenobiotic metabolism, receptor-mediated effects, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and apical effects were applied to the water and sediment extracts. Most sediment extracts induced moderate to strong estrogenic and aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) activity, along with moderate toxicity to bacteria. The water extracts showed similar patterns to the sediment extracts, but with lower activity. Generally, the polar Chemcatcher extracts showed greater estrogenic activity, photosynthesis inhibition and algal growth inhibition than the non-polar PED extracts, though the PED extracts showed greater AhR activity. The observed effects in the water extracts were compared to available ecological effect-based trigger values (EBT) to evaluate the potential risk. For the polar extracts, most sites in both catchments exceeded the EBT for estrogenicity, with many sites exceeding the EBTs for AhR activity and photosynthesis inhibition. Of the wide range of endpoints considered, estrogenic activity, AhR activity and herbicidal activity appear to be the primary risk drivers in both the Whau and Koreti Estuary catchments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
| | - Hamish Allen
- Research and Evaluation Unit, Auckland Council, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | | | - Roger Hodson
- Environment Southland Regional Council, Invercargill, 9810, New Zealand; Riverscape Enhancement Consulting, Invercargill, 9840, New Zealand
| | - Matthew Johnson
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | | | - Louis A Tremblay
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Taylor Wilde
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia
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18
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Schuijt LM, van Smeden J, van Drimmelen CKE, Buijse LL, Wu D, Boerwinkel MC, Belgers DJM, Matser AM, Roessink I, Heikamp-de Jong I, Beentjes KK, Trimbos KB, Smidt H, Van den Brink PJ. Effects of antidepressant exposure on aquatic communities assessed by a combination of morphological identification, functional measurements, environmental DNA metabarcoding and bioassays. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140706. [PMID: 37992907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140706] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The antidepressant fluoxetine is frequently detected in aquatic ecosystems, yet the effects on aquatic communities and ecosystems are still largely unknown. Therefore the aim of this study is to assess the effects of the long-term application of fluoxetine on key components of aquatic ecosystems including macroinvertebrate-, zooplankton-, phytoplankton- and microbial communities and organic matter decomposition by using traditional and non-traditional assessment methods. For this, we exposed 18 outdoor mesocosms (water volume of 1530 L and 10 cm of sediment) to five different concentrations of fluoxetine (0.2, 2, 20 and 200 μg/L) for eight weeks, followed by an eight-week recovery period. We quantified population and community effects by morphological identification, environmental DNA metabarcoding, in vitro and in vivo bioassays and measured organic matter decomposition as a measure of ecosystem functioning. We found effects of fluoxetine on bacterial, algal, zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities and decomposition rates, mainly for the highest (200 μg/L) treatment. Treatment-related decreases in abundances were found for damselfly larvae (NOEC of 0.2 μg/L) and Sphaeriidae bivalves (NOEC of 20 μg/L), whereas Asellus aquaticus increased in abundance (NOEC <0.2 μg/L). Fluoxetine decreased photosynthetic activity and primary production of the suspended algae community. eDNA assessment provided additional insights by revealing that the algae belonging to the class Cryptophyceae and certain cyanobacteria taxa were the most negatively responding taxa to fluoxetine. Our results, together with results of others, suggest that fluoxetine can alter community structure and ecosystem functioning and that some impacts of fluoxetine on certain taxa can already be observed at environmentally realistic concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Schuijt
- Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper van Smeden
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal K E van Drimmelen
- Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Laura L Buijse
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dailing Wu
- Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marie-Claire Boerwinkel
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dick J M Belgers
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arrienne M Matser
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ivo Roessink
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ineke Heikamp-de Jong
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Krijn B Trimbos
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hauke Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul J Van den Brink
- Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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19
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Mofijur M, Hasan MM, Ahmed SF, Djavanroodi F, Fattah IMR, Silitonga AS, Kalam MA, Zhou JL, Khan TMY. Advances in identifying and managing emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems: Analytical approaches, toxicity assessment, transformation pathways, environmental fate, and remediation strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122889. [PMID: 37972679 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants (ECs) are increasingly recognized as threats to human health and ecosystems. This review evaluates advanced analytical methods, particularly mass spectrometry, for detecting ECs and understanding their toxicity, transformation pathways, and environmental distribution. Our findings underscore the reliability of current techniques and the potential of upcoming methods. The adverse effects of ECs on aquatic life necessitate both in vitro and in vivo toxicity assessments. Evaluating the distribution and degradation of ECs reveals that they undergo physical, chemical, and biological transformations. Remediation strategies such as advanced oxidation, adsorption, and membrane bioreactors effectively treat EC-contaminated waters, with combinations of these techniques showing the highest efficacy. To minimize the impact of ECs, a proactive approach involving monitoring, regulations, and public education is vital. Future research should prioritize the refining of detection methods and formulation of robust policies for EC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mofijur
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - M M Hasan
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia; School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, QLD, 4701, Australia
| | - Shams Forruque Ahmed
- Science and Math Program, Asian University for Women, Chattogram, 4000, Bangladesh
| | - F Djavanroodi
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Al Khobar, 31952, Saudi Arabia
| | - I M R Fattah
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - A S Silitonga
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - M A Kalam
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - John L Zhou
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia; Centre for Green Technology, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - T M Yunus Khan
- Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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20
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Grobin A, Roškar R, Trontelj J. The environmental occurrence, fate, and risks of 25 endocrine disruptors in Slovenian waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167245. [PMID: 37742964 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Natural hormones, synthetic steroids and bisphenols are among the most active endocrine disruptors (EDs) in the aquatic environment, with great potential for causing adverse effects in aquatic organisms and humans. In this study, a focused group of 25 potent estrogenic and other ED compounds were simultaneously measured in wastewaters (WWs) and receiving surface waters (SWs) before and after wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where their removal efficiency was also estimated. Up to 16 of 25 EDs were successfully quantified in SWs and WWs, with bisphenols BPS, BPA, and BPF together with estriol and chlormadinone being the most prevalent with the highest measured concentrations of up to 35 μg/L in WWs and 400 ng/L in SWs. High load and insufficient removal of these substances by WWTPs lead to a significant increase in their concentrations in the receiving SWs downstream, while other sources could be responsible for an important portion of river contamination with EDs. Removal efficiency was very good for most EDs, although only from 0 to 44 % for E2, which shows a need for the improvement of current removal techniques. E2 and EE2 contribute the most to the alarmingly high risks of the total ED estrogenic potential, with the value increased by 36 % in SWs downstream from WWTPs, and the RQ value for the total estrogenic potential in individual SW samples being three orders of magnitude higher than that representing high risk. An additional comprehensive multi-parameter risk assessment determined high risk quotient and priority index values for BPA, E2, BPS and E1 with values of up to 450 in SWs. Our results show a focused insight into the risks associated with an important group of EDs and the role of WWTPs, while further highlighting the importance of regular monitoring of the environmental occurrence and risks of a focused range of EDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Grobin
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Roškar
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Trontelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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21
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Choi Y, Seo CD, Lee W, Son H, Lee Y. Assessment of bioactive chemicals in wastewater effluents and surface waters using in vitro bioassays in the Nakdong River basin, Korea. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 347:140621. [PMID: 37956933 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140621] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Organic micropollutants present in effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can negatively affect the quality of receiving waters or drinking water sources. The present work monitored the concentration of bioactive chemicals using a battery of in vitro bioassays in 14 WWTP effluents, 2 effluent-dominant streams, and 5 river waters in the Nakdong River basin, Korea, for a two-year period. The WWTP effluents showed AR/ERα/TRβ (androgen/estrogen/thyroid hormone) activities at a few to tens ng/L, PAH/PPARγ/p53 (polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbon/lipid metabolism/genotoxicity) activities at hundreds ng/L, and PXR/Nrf2 (xenobiotic metabolism/oxidative stress) activities at tens to hundreds μg/L as bioanalytical equivalent concentrations. The concentration level and type of bioactivities were statistically not affected by the source, season, or treatment processes of WWTPs for most endpoints. The effluent-dominant streams showed similar levels of AR/ERα/PAH/PXR/Nrf2 activities compared to the upstream WWTP effluents. The river waters showed lower levels of AR/ERα activities (by factors of 6 or 7) but had only slightly lower PAH/PXR/Nrf2 activities (within factors of 2) than the WWTP effluents when compared based on median concentration. Cytotoxicity was below the quantification limit (0.3 μg/L) in most effluent and river samples. For ERα/PAH/PXR/Nrf2, the median bioactivity levels of the river waters were higher than at least one of the effect-based trigger (EBT) values proposed in the literature. Further monitoring work and reliable/realistic EBT derivation are needed to determine possible ecological risks posed by the observed bioactivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yegyun Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Dong Seo
- Water Quality Institute Busan Water Authority, Republic of Korea
| | - Woorim Lee
- Environment & Energy Research Laboratory, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejong Son
- Water Quality Institute Busan Water Authority, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunho Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Hong S, Lee J, Cha J, Gwak J, Khim JS. Effect-Directed Analysis Combined with Nontarget Screening to Identify Unmonitored Toxic Substances in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19148-19155. [PMID: 37972298 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Effect-directed analysis (EDA) combined with nontarget screening (NTS) has established a valuable tool for the identification of unmonitored toxic substances in environmental samples. It consists of three main steps: (1) highly potent fraction identification, (2) toxicant candidate selection, and (3) major toxicant identification. Here, we discuss the methodology, current status, limitations, and future challenges of EDA combined with NTS. This method has been applied successfully to various environmental samples, such as sediments, wastewater treatment plant effluents, and biota. We present several case studies and highlight key results. EDA has undergone significant technological advancements in the past 20 years, with the establishment of its key components: target chemical analysis, bioassays, fractionation, NTS, and data processing. However, it has not been incorporated widely into environmental monitoring programs. We provide suggestions for the application of EDA combined with NTS in environmental monitoring programs and management, with the identification of further research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongjin Hong
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Education, Kongju National University, Gongju 32588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Cha
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Gwak
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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23
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Glassmeyer ST, Burns EE, Focazio MJ, Furlong ET, Gribble MO, Jahne MA, Keely SP, Kennicutt AR, Kolpin DW, Medlock Kakaley EK, Pfaller SL. Water, Water Everywhere, but Every Drop Unique: Challenges in the Science to Understand the Role of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Management of Drinking Water Supplies. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000716. [PMID: 38155731 PMCID: PMC10753268 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The protection and management of water resources continues to be challenged by multiple and ongoing factors such as shifts in demographic, social, economic, and public health requirements. Physical limitations placed on access to potable supplies include natural and human-caused factors such as aquifer depletion, aging infrastructure, saltwater intrusion, floods, and drought. These factors, although varying in magnitude, spatial extent, and timing, can exacerbate the potential for contaminants of concern (CECs) to be present in sources of drinking water, infrastructure, premise plumbing and associated tap water. This monograph examines how current and emerging scientific efforts and technologies increase our understanding of the range of CECs and drinking water issues facing current and future populations. It is not intended to be read in one sitting, but is instead a starting point for scientists wanting to learn more about the issues surrounding CECs. This text discusses the topical evolution CECs over time (Section 1), improvements in measuring chemical and microbial CECs, through both analysis of concentration and toxicity (Section 2) and modeling CEC exposure and fate (Section 3), forms of treatment effective at removing chemical and microbial CECs (Section 4), and potential for human health impacts from exposure to CECs (Section 5). The paper concludes with how changes to water quantity, both scarcity and surpluses, could affect water quality (Section 6). Taken together, these sections document the past 25 years of CEC research and the regulatory response to these contaminants, the current work to identify and monitor CECs and mitigate exposure, and the challenges facing the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan T. Glassmeyer
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Focazio
- Retired, Environmental Health ProgramEcosystems Mission AreaU.S. Geological SurveyRestonVAUSA
| | - Edward T. Furlong
- Emeritus, Strategic Laboratory Sciences BranchLaboratory & Analytical Services DivisionU.S. Geological SurveyDenverCOUSA
| | - Matthew O. Gribble
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental HealthRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Michael A. Jahne
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Scott P. Keely
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Alison R. Kennicutt
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringYork College of PennsylvaniaYorkPAUSA
| | - Dana W. Kolpin
- U.S. Geological SurveyCentral Midwest Water Science CenterIowa CityIAUSA
| | | | - Stacy L. Pfaller
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
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24
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de Schepper JKH, van Oorschot Y, Jaspers RJ, Hamers T, Lamoree MH, Behnisch P, Besselink H, Houtman CJ. The contribution of PFAS to thyroid hormone-displacing activity in Dutch waters: A comparison between two in vitro bioassays with chemical analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108256. [PMID: 37862862 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108256] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of xenobiotics that are widely distributed throughout the aquatic environment. Many PFAS are possible thyroid hormone (TH) system disrupting compounds, because they have the capacity to -amongst other- inhibit the TH thyroxine (T4) from binding to its transport protein transthyretin (TTR). This study investigated the occurrence of TH-displacing activity in the Dutch water cycle, and more specifically, the contribution of PFAS to this effect. Over one year of monitoring data of 29 PFAS (linear and branched) showed the continuous presence of PFAS in drinking waters and their surface water sources. Secondly, the FITC-T4 and TTR-TRβ-CALUX bioassays were mutually compared using positive (HPLC-grade water spiked with PFOA) and negative control samples (HPLC-grade water), as well as relative potency factors (RPFs) of up to 20 PFAS congeners. Both assays were found to be suitable for measuring TH-displacing activity in water samples. As a third aim, a field study was performed in the Dutch water cycle that was comprised of samples from drinking water, surface water, PFAS contaminated sites, and 2 wastewater treatment plants. All samples were analyzed with 1. chemical analysis for 29 PFAS, 2. the FITC-T4 bioassay, and 3. the TTR-TRβ-CALUX bioassay. The bioassays mutually showed good correlation (R2 0.85). Bioanalytical equivalent concentrations (BEQ) based on chemically-determined concentrations and RPFs (BEQchem) revealed that analyzed PFAS only explained ≤4.1 % of their activity in water extracts measured by both bioassays (BEQbio). This indicated that as yet unknown compounds contribute to the majority of the measured TH-displacing activity. Moreover, water treatment processes (e.g. DW production from SW) showed a larger contribution of target PFAS to the BEQbio. This could be a first lead to identify unknown compounds that contribute to this activity, and as such, enable the assessment of possible risks associated by the occurrence of TH-displacing activity in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K H de Schepper
- The Water Laboratory, 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - R J Jaspers
- The Water Laboratory, 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - T Hamers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M H Lamoree
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - P Behnisch
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H Besselink
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C J Houtman
- The Water Laboratory, 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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25
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Smutná M, Javůrek J, Sehnal L, Toušová Z, Javůrková B, Sychrová E, Lepšová-Skácelová O, Hilscherová K. Potential risk of estrogenic compounds produced by water blooms to aquatic environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:140015. [PMID: 37657694 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Some freshwater phytoplankton species have been suggested to produce estrogenic compounds in concentrations which could cause adverse effects to aquatic biota, while other studies showed no estrogenic effects after exposure to phytoplankton extracts or pointed out possible sources of the overestimation of the estrogenic activity. This study aimed to clarify these research inconsistencies by investigating estrogenicity of biomass extracts from both environmental freshwater blooms and laboratory cyanobacterial and algae cultures by in vitro reporter bioassay. Biomasses of 8 cyanobacterial and 3 algal species from 7 taxonomic orders were extracted and tested. Next to this, samples of environmental water blooms collected from 8 independent water bodies dominated by phytoplankton species previously assessed as laboratory cultures were tested. The results showed undetectable or low estrogenicity of both freshwater blooms and laboratory cultures with E2 equivalent concentration (EEQ) in a range from LOQ up to 4.5 ng EEQ/g of dry mass. Moreover, the co-exposure of biomass extracts with environmentally relevant concentration of model estrogen (steroid hormone 17β-estradiol; E2), commonly occurring in surface waters, showed simple additive interaction. However, some of the biomass extracts elicited partially anti-estrogenic effects in co-exposure with higher E2 concentration. In conclusion, our study documents undetectable or relatively low estrogenic potential of biomass extracts from both environmental freshwater blooms and studied laboratory cultured cyanobacterial and algae species. Nevertheless, in case of very high-density water blooms, even this low estrogenicity (detected for two cyanobacterial species) could lead to EEQ content in biomass reaching effect-based trigger values indicating potential risk, if recalculated per water volume at field sites. However, these levels would not occur in water under realistic environmental scenarios and the potential estrogenic effects would be most probably minor compared to other toxic effects caused by massive freshwater blooms of such high densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Smutná
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Javůrek
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Luděk Sehnal
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Toušová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Javůrková
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Sychrová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Lepšová-Skácelová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 1, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic.
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26
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Arlos MJ, Arnold VI, Bumagat JS, Zhou J, Cereno KM, Deas A, Dai K, Ruecker NJ, Munkittrick KR. Combining chemical, bioanalytical and predictive tools to assess persistence, seasonality, and sporadic releases of organic micropollutants within the urban water cycle. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 244:120454. [PMID: 37586251 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120454] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Using a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method with large volume direct injection and quantitation via isotope dilution, we evaluated the presence of 55 organic micropollutants in wastewater effluents, and locations within the Bow River and Elbow River watersheds in and around the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In addition to establishing baseline micropollutant data for water utility operations, our study aimed to enhance our understanding of micropollutant behavior in the urban water cycle, assess the contributions of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to downstream receiving waters, explain the potential causes of total estrogenicity measured using the yeast-estrogen screen assay (YES), and prioritize a subset of substances for continuous monitoring. With data spanning 48 months and 95 river km, our results indicate the extensive persistence of metformin (antidiabetic), seasonality of N,N‑diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET, insect repellant), O-desmethylvenlafaxine (antidepressant metabolite), and sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic) in source waters, and sporadic detections of a well-known perfluoroalkyl substance (PFOA). The seasonality of pharmaceuticals at the sentinel downstream monitoring site appeared to coincide with river dilution while that of DEET was likely attributable to peak usage during the warmer months. Steroidal estrogens were rarely detected in wastewater effluents although total estrogenicity via YES was evident, suggesting the presence of less potent but more abundant non-steroidal estrogens (e.g., flame retardants, bisphenols, and phthalates). A conservative mass balance analysis suggests that the largest WWTP (serving a population of >1 million) consistently contributed the highest load of micropollutants, with the exception of metformin, which appeared to be influenced by a smaller WWTP (serving 115,000) that operates a different activated sludge process. We consider metformin, sucralose, diclofenac, and venlafaxine as more effective conservative tracers of wastewater pollution due to their notably higher concentrations and persistence in the Bow River compared to carbamazepine and caffeine, respectively. Finally, hierarchical clustering revealed a close association between E. coli and caffeine, supporting the use of caffeine as an indicator of short-term, untreated anthropogenic inputs. Overall, this study yields valuable insights on the presence, behavior, and sources of organic micropollutants in the urban water cycle and identifies indicators of anthropogenic impacts that are useful for prioritizing future monitoring campaigns in Calgary and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricor J Arlos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada.
| | - Victoria I Arnold
- Water Services, The City of Calgary, P.O. Box 2100, Stn. M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5, Canada.
| | - J Seth Bumagat
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Jiangboyuan Zhou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Katrina M Cereno
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Alison Deas
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Kaiping Dai
- Water Services, The City of Calgary, P.O. Box 2100, Stn. M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5, Canada
| | - Norma J Ruecker
- Water Services, The City of Calgary, P.O. Box 2100, Stn. M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5, Canada
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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27
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Muncke J, Andersson AM, Backhaus T, Belcher SM, Boucher JM, Carney Almroth B, Collins TJ, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Heindel JJ, von Hippel FA, Legler J, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Peterson Myers J, Nadal A, Nerin C, Soto AM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Zimmermann L, Thomas Zoeller R, Scheringer M. A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108161. [PMID: 37758599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108161] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Food contact materials (FCMs) and food contact articles are ubiquitous in today's globalized food system. Chemicals migrate from FCMs into foodstuffs, so called food contact chemicals (FCCs), but current regulatory requirements do not sufficiently protect public health from hazardous FCCs because only individual substances used to make FCMs are tested and mostly only for genotoxicity while endocrine disruption and other hazard properties are disregarded. Indeed, FCMs are a known source of a wide range of hazardous chemicals, and they likely contribute to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases. FCMs can also include non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which often are unknown and therefore not subject to risk assessment. To address these important shortcomings, we outline how the safety of FCMs may be improved by (1) testing the overall migrate, including (unknown) NIAS, of finished food contact articles, and (2) expanding toxicological testing beyond genotoxicity to multiple endpoints associated with non-communicable diseases relevant to human health. To identify mechanistic endpoints for testing, we group chronic health outcomes associated with chemical exposure into Six Clusters of Disease (SCOD) and we propose that finished food contact articles should be tested for their impacts on these SCOD. Research should focus on developing robust, relevant, and sensitive in-vitro assays based on mechanistic information linked to the SCOD, e.g., through Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) or Key Characteristics of Toxicants. Implementing this vision will improve prevention of chronic diseases that are associated with hazardous chemical exposures, including from FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and Centre for Research and Research Training in Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jerrold J Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Olwenn V Martin
- Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, Department of Arts and Science, University College London, UK
| | - John Peterson Myers
- Dept. of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angel Nadal
- IDiBE and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Cristina Nerin
- Dept. of Analytical Chemistry, I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana M Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Cavaillès, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- College of Global Public Health and Grossman School of Medicine and Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wagner
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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van Gijn K, van Dam MRHP, de Wilt HA, de Wilde V, Rijnaarts HHM, Langenhoff AAM. Removal of micropollutants and ecotoxicity during combined biological activated carbon and ozone (BO 3) treatment. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120179. [PMID: 37302178 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120179] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ozonation is a viable option to improve the removal of micropollutants (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Nevertheless, the application of ozonation is hindered by its high energy requirements and by the uncertainties regarding the formation of toxic transformation products in the process. Energy requirements of ozonation can be reduced with a pre-ozone treatment, such as a biological activated carbon (BAC) filter, that removes part of the effluent organic matter before ozonation. This study investigated a combination of BAC filtration followed by ozonation (the BO3 process) to remove MPs at low ozone doses and low energy input, and focused on the formation of toxic organic and inorganic products during ozonation. Effluent from a WWTP was collected, spiked with MPs (approximately 1 µg/L) and treated with the BO3 process. Different flowrates (0.25-4 L/h) and specific ozone doses (0.2-0.6 g O3/g TOC) were tested and MPs, ecotoxicity and bromate were analyzed. For ecotoxicity assessment, three in vivo (daphnia, algae and bacteria) and six in vitro CALUX assays (Era, GR, PAH, P53, PR, andNrf2 CALUX) were used. Results show that the combination of BAC filtration and ozonation has higher MP removal and higher ecotoxicity removal than only BAC filtration and only ozonation. The in vivo assays show a low ecotoxicity in the initial WWTP effluent samples and no clear trend with increasing ozone doses, while most of the in vitro assays show a decrease in ecotoxicity with increasing ozone dose. This suggests that for the tested bioassays, feed water and ozone doses, the overall ecotoxicity of the formed transformation products during ozonation was lower than the overall ecotoxicity of the parent compounds. In the experiments with bromide spiking, relevant formation of bromate was observed above specific ozone doses of approximately 0.4 O3/g TOC and more bromate was formed for the samples with BAC pre-treatment. This indirectly indicates the effectivity of the pre-treatment in removing organic matter and making ozone more available to react with other compounds (such as MPs, but also bromide), but also underlines the importance of controlling the ozone dose to be below the threshold to avoid formation of bromate. It was concluded that treatment of the tested WWTP effluent in the BO3 process at a specific ozone dose of 0.2 g O3/g TOC, results in high MP removal at limited energy input while no increase in ecotoxicity, nor formation of bromate was observed under this condition. This indicates that the hybrid BO3 process can be implemented to remove MPs and improve the ecological quality of this WWTP effluent with a lower energy demand than conventional MP removal processes such as standalone ozonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K van Gijn
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - M R H P van Dam
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - H A de Wilt
- Royal HaskoningDHV, 3800 BC Amersfoort, the Netherlands
| | - V de Wilde
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - H H M Rijnaarts
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - A A M Langenhoff
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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29
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Šauer P, Vrana B, Escher BI, Grabic R, Toušová Z, Krauss M, von der Ohe PC, König M, Grabicová K, Mikušová P, Prokeš R, Sobotka J, Fialová P, Novák J, Brack W, Hilscherová K. Bioanalytical and chemical characterization of organic micropollutant mixtures in long-term exposed passive samplers from the Joint Danube Survey 4: Setting a baseline for water quality monitoring. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:107957. [PMID: 37406370 PMCID: PMC10445204 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring methodologies reflecting the long-term quality and contamination of surface waters are needed to obtain a representative picture of pollution and identify risk drivers. This study sets a baseline for characterizing chemical pollution in the Danube River using an innovative approach, combining continuous three-months use of passive sampling technology with comprehensive chemical (747 chemicals) and bioanalytical (seven in vitro bioassays) assessment during the Joint Danube Survey (JDS4). This is one of the world's largest investigative surface-water monitoring efforts in the longest river in the European Union, which water after riverbank filtration is broadly used for drinking water production. Two types of passive samplers, silicone rubber (SR) sheets for hydrophobic compounds and AttractSPETM HLB disks for hydrophilic compounds, were deployed at nine sites for approximately 100 days. The Danube River pollution was dominated by industrial compounds in SR samplers and by industrial compounds together with pharmaceuticals and personal care products in HLB samplers. Comparison of the Estimated Environmental Concentrations with Predicted No-Effect Concentrations revealed that at the studied sites, at least one (SR) and 4-7 (HLB) compound(s) exceeded the risk quotient of 1. We also detected AhR-mediated activity, oxidative stress response, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-mediated activity, estrogenic, androgenic, and anti-androgenic activities using in vitro bioassays. A significant portion of the AhR-mediated and estrogenic activities could be explained by detected analytes at several sites, while for the other bioassays and other sites, much of the activity remained unexplained. The effect-based trigger values for estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities were exceeded at some sites. The identified drivers of mixture in vitro effects deserve further attention in ecotoxicological and environmental pollution research. This novel approach using long-term passive sampling provides a representative benchmark of pollution and effect potentials of chemical mixtures for future water quality monitoring of the Danube River and other large water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Branislav Vrana
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Beate I Escher
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Cell Toxicology, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Roman Grabic
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Toušová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Krauss
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter C von der Ohe
- UBA - German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, D-06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Maria König
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Cell Toxicology, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kateřina Grabicová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Mikušová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Prokeš
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic; Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Belidla 986/4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromír Sobotka
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Fialová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Novák
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Caracciolo R, Escher BI, Lai FY, Nguyen TA, Le TMT, Schlichting R, Tröger R, Némery J, Wiberg K, Nguyen PD, Baduel C. Impact of a megacity on the water quality of a tropical estuary assessed by a combination of chemical analysis and in-vitro bioassays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162525. [PMID: 36868276 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Tropical estuaries are threatened by rapid urbanization, which leads to the spread of thousands of micropollutants and poses an environmental risk to such sensitive aqueous ecosystems. In the present study, a combination of chemical and bioanalytical water characterization was applied to investigate the impact of Ho Chi Minh megacity (HCMC, 9.2 million inhabitants in 2021) on the Saigon River and its estuary and provide a comprehensive water quality assessment. Water samples were collected along a 140-km stretch integrating the river-estuary continuum from upstream HCMC down to the estuary mouth in the East Sea. Additional water samples were collected at the mouth of the four main canals of the city center. Chemical analysis was performed targeting up to 217 micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, PFASs, flame retardants, hormones, pesticides). Bioanalysis was performed using six in-vitro bioassays for hormone receptor-mediated effects, xenobiotic metabolism pathways and oxidative stress response, respectively, all accompanied by cytotoxicity measurement. A total of 120 micropollutants were detected and displayed high variability along the river continuum with total concentration ranging from 0.25 to 78 μg L-1. Among them, 59 micropollutants were ubiquitous (detection frequency ≥ 80 %). An attenuation was observed in concentration and effect profiles towards the estuary. The urban canals were identified as major sources of micropollutants and bioactivity to the river, and one canal (Bến Nghé) exceeded the effect-based trigger values derived for estrogenicity and xenobiotic metabolism. Iceberg modelling apportioned the contribution of the quantified and the unknown chemicals to the measured effects. Diuron, metolachlor, chlorpyrifos, daidzein, genistein, climbazole, mebendazole and telmisartan were identified as main risk drivers of the oxidative stress response and xenobiotic metabolism pathway activation. Our study reinforced the need for improved wastewater management and deeper evaluations of the occurrence and fate of micropollutants in urbanized tropical estuarine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romane Caracciolo
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, IRD, CNRS, INRAE, Grenoble INP, Institute of Environmental Geosciences (IGE), 38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Beate I Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Germany
| | - Foon Yin Lai
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Truong An Nguyen
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, IRD, CNRS, INRAE, Grenoble INP, Institute of Environmental Geosciences (IGE), 38000 Grenoble, France; Asian Centre for Water Research (CARE)/HCMUT, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Thi Minh Tam Le
- Asian Centre for Water Research (CARE)/HCMUT, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Rita Schlichting
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rikard Tröger
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julien Némery
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, IRD, CNRS, INRAE, Grenoble INP, Institute of Environmental Geosciences (IGE), 38000 Grenoble, France; Asian Centre for Water Research (CARE)/HCMUT, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Phuoc Dan Nguyen
- Asian Centre for Water Research (CARE)/HCMUT, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Christine Baduel
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, IRD, CNRS, INRAE, Grenoble INP, Institute of Environmental Geosciences (IGE), 38000 Grenoble, France; Asian Centre for Water Research (CARE)/HCMUT, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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31
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Jonkers TJH, Houtman CJ, van Oorschot Y, Lamoree MH, Hamers T. Identification of antimicrobial and glucocorticoid compounds in wastewater effluents with effect-directed analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116117. [PMID: 37178748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals, such as glucocorticoids and antibiotics, are inadequately removed from wastewater and may cause unwanted toxic effects in the receiving environment. This study aimed to identify contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater effluent with antimicrobial or glucocorticoid activity by applying effect-directed analysis (EDA). Effluent samples from six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Netherlands were collected and analyzed with unfractionated and fractionated bioassay testing. Per sample, 80 fractions were collected and in parallel high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data were recorded for suspect and nontarget screening. The antimicrobial activity of the effluents was determined with an antibiotics assay and ranged from 298 to 711 ng azithromycin equivalents·L-1. Macrolide antibiotics were identified in each effluent and found to significantly contribute to the antimicrobial activity of each sample. Agonistic glucocorticoid activity determined with the GR-CALUX assay ranged from 98.1 to 286 ng dexamethasone equivalents·L-1. Bioassay testing of several tentatively identified compounds to confirm their activity revealed inactivity in the assay or the incorrect identification of a feature. Effluent concentrations of glucocorticoid active compounds were estimated from the fractionated GR-CALUX bioassay response. Subsequently, the biological and chemical detection limits were compared and a sensitivity gap between the two monitoring approaches was identified. Overall, these results emphasize that combining sensitive effect-based testing with chemical analysis can more accurately reflect environmental exposure and risk than chemical analysis alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim J H Jonkers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Corine J Houtman
- The Water Laboratory, J.W. Lucasweg 2, 2031 BE, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marja H Lamoree
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Timo Hamers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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32
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Neale PA, Escher BI, de Baat ML, Dechesne M, Dingemans MML, Enault J, Pronk GJ, Smeets PWMH, Leusch FDL. Application of Effect-Based Methods to Water Quality Monitoring: Answering Frequently Asked Questions by Water Quality Managers, Regulators, and Policy Makers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6023-6032. [PMID: 37026997 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Effect-based methods (EBM) have great potential for water quality monitoring as they can detect the mixture effects of all active known and unknown chemicals in a sample, which cannot be addressed by chemical analysis alone. To date, EBM have primarily been applied in a research context, with a lower level of uptake by the water sector and regulators. This is partly due to concerns regarding the reliability and interpretation of EBM. Using evidence from the peer-reviewed literature, this work aims to answer frequently asked questions about EBM. The questions were identified through consultation with the water industry and regulators and cover topics related to the basis for using EBM, practical considerations regarding reliability, sampling for EBM and quality control, and what to do with the information provided by EBM. The information provided in this work aims to give confidence to regulators and the water sector to stimulate the application of EBM 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
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
- Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milo L de Baat
- KWR Water Research Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Magali Dechesne
- Veolia Research & Innovation,765 rue Henri Becquerel, 34965 Montpellier, France
| | - Milou M L Dingemans
- KWR Water Research Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jérôme Enault
- SUEZ CIRSEE, 38 rue du President Wilson, 78230 Le Pecq, France
| | - Geertje J Pronk
- KWR Water Research Institute, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
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33
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Neale PA, Escher BI, de Baat ML, Enault J, Leusch FDL. Effect-Based Trigger Values Are Essential for the Uptake of Effect-Based Methods in Water Safety Planning. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:714-726. [PMID: 36524849 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Effect-based methods (EBMs) using in vitro bioassays and well plate-based in vivo assays are recommended for water quality monitoring because they can capture the mixture effects of the many chemicals present in water. Many in vitro bioassays are highly sensitive, so an effect in a bioassay does not necessarily indicate poor chemical water quality. Consequently, effect-based trigger values (EBTs) have been introduced to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable chemical water quality and are required for the wider acceptance of EBMs by the water sector and regulatory bodies. These EBTs have been derived for both drinking water and surface water to protect human and ecological health, respectively, and are available for assays indicative of specific receptor-mediated effects, as well as assays indicative of adaptive stress responses, apical effects, and receptor-mediated effects triggered by many chemicals. An overview of currently available EBTs is provided, and a simple approach is proposed to predict interim EBTs for assays currently without an EBT based on the effect concentration of the assay reference compound. There was good agreement between EBTs predicted using this simplistic approach and EBTs from the literature derived using more robust methods. Finally, an interpretation framework that outlines the steps to take if the effect of a sample exceeds the EBT was developed to help facilitate the uptake of EBMs in routine water quality monitoring and water safety planning for drinking water production. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:714-726. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milo L de Baat
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
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Choi Y, Jung EY, Lee W, Choi S, Son H, Lee Y. In vitro bioanalytical assessment of the occurrence and removal of bioactive chemicals in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Korea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159724. [PMID: 36306847 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contain various organic micropollutants, some of which can exert negative effects on the quality of receiving waters or drinking water sources. This study monitored two full-scale WWTPs in Korea for the occurrence and removal of bioactive chemicals for a one-year period using a battery of in vitro bioassays as a complementary approach to chemical analysis. Bioassays covering different endpoints were employed, such as hormone receptor activation (AR and ERα), xenobiotic metabolism (PAH and PXR), oxidative stress response (Nrf2), and cytotoxicity. The WWTP influents showed AR, ERα, and PAH activities at ng/L - μg/L and PXR and Nrf2 activities at μg/L - mg/L as bioanalytical equivalent concentrations of a reference compound for each bioassay. These bioactivities decreased along with the WWTP treatment train, with significant removals achieved by the secondary biological treatment processes. Cytotoxicity was observed only for some municipal wastewater (M-WWTP) influents but was below the limit of quantification for most cases. The influent and effluent bioactivities observed in this study were mostly comparable to those reported in other WWTPs in the literature. Comparison of the bioactivities with the effect-based trigger (EBT) values indicates that the impact of WWTP effluents on receiving water quality was low for most endpoints. For Nrf2, however, further investigation is required to evaluate the observed high bioactivities compared with the current EBT. The observed ERα activity could partly be explained by the presence of some steroid estrogens. Overall, our results contribute to an important database for the concentrations and removal efficiencies of bioactive chemicals in WWTPs and demonstrate bioassays as a useful tool for urban water quality monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yegyun Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Young Jung
- Water Quality Institute, Busan Water Authority, Kimhae 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Woorim Lee
- Water Quality Institute, Busan Water Authority, Kimhae 50804, Republic of Korea; Environment & Energy Research Laboratory, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangki Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejong Son
- Water Quality Institute, Busan Water Authority, Kimhae 50804, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunho Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
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35
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Brennan J, Henke A, Gale R, Nicks D, Tillitt D. Comparison of Two Estrogen Chemically Activated Luciferase Expression Cell Bioassays to Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Quantifying Estrone in Water Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:333-339. [PMID: 36541329 PMCID: PMC11418611 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chemically activated luciferase expression (CALUX) cell bioassays are popular tools for assessing endocrine activity of chemicals such as certain environmental contaminants. Although activity equivalents can be obtained from CALUX analysis, directly comparing these equivalents to those obtained from analytical chemistry methods can be problematic because of the complexity of endocrine active pathways. We explored the suitability of two estrogen CALUX bioassays (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-approved VM7Luc4E2 cell bioassay and the VM7LucERβc9 cell bioassay) for quantitation of estrogen. Quadrupole-time of flight ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was selected as a comparative method. Regression analysis of measured estrone (E1) calibration samples showed all three methods to be highly predictive of nominal concentrations (p ≤ 7.5 × 10-51 ). Extracts of water sampled from laboratory dilutor tanks containing E1 at 0, 20, and 200 ng/L alone and in combination with atrazine were selected to test the quantitative capabilities of the CALUX assays. Process controls (0 and 100 ng E1/L) and a separate E1 standard (10 ng/ml, used to prepare the E1 process control) were also tested. Levels of E1 determined by LC/MS analysis and bioanalytical equivalents (ng E1/L) determined by CALUX analyses were comparable except in certain instances where the samples required dilution prior to CALUX analyses (e.g., the E1 process control and E1 standard). In those instances, measurements by CALUX were slightly but significantly decreased relative to LC/MS. Atrazine had no effect on the ability of either LC/MS or the CALUX bioassays to quantify E1. The present study illustrates the CALUX bioassays as successful in quantifying an estrogen in simple water samples and further characterizes their utility for screening. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:333-339. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Brennan
- U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Abigail Henke
- U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Robert Gale
- U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Diane Nicks
- U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Donald Tillitt
- U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO USA
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Zhou S, Schulze T, Brack W, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Spatial and temporal variations in anti-androgenic activity and environmental risk in a small river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158622. [PMID: 36084781 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of multiple compounds have been widely investigated in aquatic environments. However, investigations of spatial and temporal variations in biological effects are rarely performed because they are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, the variability of the anti-androgen, receptor-mediated activity of surface water samples was observed over 3 years using in vitro bioassays. Large-volume water samples were collected at one site upstream (Wer site) and two sites downstream (Sil and Nien sites) of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall in the Holtemme River. Anti-AR activity was persistently present in all surface water samples over the three years. Large spatial variations in anti-androgenic activity were observed, with the lowest activity at the Wer site (mean concentration of 9.5 ± 7.2 μg flutamide equivalents/L) and the highest activity at the Sil site (mean concentration of 31.1 ± 12.0 μg flutamide equivalents/L) directly influenced by WWTP effluents. On the temporal scale, no distinct trend for anti-AR activity was observed among the seasons in all three years. The anti-androgenic activity at the upstream Wer site showed a decreasing trend from 2014 to 2016, indicating improved water quality. A novel bioanalytical-equivalent-based risk assessment method considering the frequency of risk occurrence was developed and then utilized to assess the environmental risk of anti-androgenic activity in the Holtemme River. The results revealed that the highest risk was present at the Sil site, while the risk was considerably reduced at the Nien site. The risk at the upstream Wer site was the lowest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangbo Zhou
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Tobias Schulze
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets, Rotthauser Str. 21, 45879 Gelsenkirchen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Toušová Z, Priebojová J, Javůrek J, Večerková J, Lepšová-Skácelová O, Sychrová E, Smutná M, Hilscherová K. Estrogenic and retinoid-like activity in stagnant waters with mass occurrence of water blooms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158257. [PMID: 36037903 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158257] [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: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Stagnant freshwaters can be affected by anthropogenic pollution and eutrophication that leads to massive growth of cyanobacteria and microalgae forming complex water blooms. These can produce various types of bioactive compounds, some of which may cause embryotoxicity, teratogenicity, endocrine disruption and impair animal or human health. This study focused on potential co-occurrence of estrogenic and retinoid-like activities in diverse stagnant freshwaters affected by phytoplankton blooms with varying taxonomic composition. Samples of phytoplankton bloom biomass and its surrounding water were collected from 17 independent stagnant water bodies in the Czech Republic and Hungary. Total estrogenic equivalents (EEQ) of the most potent samples reached up to 4.9 ng·g-1 dry mass (dm) of biomass extract and 2.99 ng·L-1 in surrounding water. Retinoic acid equivalent (REQ) measured by in vitro assay reached up to 3043 ng·g-1 dm in phytoplankton biomass and 1202 ng·L-1in surrounding water. Retinoid-like and estrogenic activities at some sites exceeded their PNEC and effect-based trigger values, respectively. The observed effects were not associated with any particular species of cyanobacteria or algae dominating the water blooms nor related to phytoplankton density. We found that taxonomically diverse phytoplankton communities can produce and release retinoid-like compounds to surrounding water, while estrogenic potency is likely related to estrogens of anthropogenic origin adsorbed to phytoplankton biomass. Retinoids occurring in water blooms are ubiquitous signalling molecules, which can affect development and neurogenesis. Selected water bloom samples (both water and biomass extracts) with retinoid-like activity caused effects on neurodifferentiation in vitro corresponding to those of equivalent all-trans-retinoic acid concentrations. Co-occurrence of estrogenic and retinoid-like activities in stagnant water bodies as well as the potential of compounds produced by water blooms to interfere with neural differentiation should be considered in the assessment of risks associated with water blooms, which can comprise complex mixtures of natural and anthropogenic bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Toušová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Priebojová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Javůrek
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslava Večerková
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Lepšová-Skácelová
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 1, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Sychrová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Smutná
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Finlayson KA, Leusch FDL, van de Merwe JP. Review of ecologically relevant in vitro bioassays to supplement current in vivo tests for whole effluent toxicity testing - Part 1: Apical endpoints. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:157817. [PMID: 35970462 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157817] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing is commonly used to ensure that wastewater discharges do not pose an unacceptable risk to receiving environments. Traditional WET testing involves exposing animals to (waste)water samples to assess four major ecologically relevant apical endpoints: mortality, growth, development, and reproduction. Recently, with the widespread implementation of the 3Rs to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research and testing, there has been a global shift away from in vivo testing towards in vitro alternatives. However, prior to the inclusion of in vitro bioassays in regulatory frameworks, it is critical to establish their ecological relevance and technical suitability. This is part 1 of a two-part review that aims to identify in vitro bioassays that can be used in WET testing and relate them to ecologically relevant endpoints through toxicity pathways, providing the reader with a high-level overview of current capabilities. Part 1 of this review focuses on four apical endpoints currently included in WET testing: mortality, growth, development, and reproduction. For each endpoint, the link between responses at the molecular or cellular level, that can be measured in vitro, and the adverse outcome at the organism level were established through simplified toxicity pathways. Additionally, literature from 2015 to 2020 on the use of in vitro bioassays for water quality assessments was reviewed to identify a list of suitable bioassays for each endpoint. This review will enable the prioritization of relevant endpoints and bioassays for incorporation into WET testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Jason P van de Merwe
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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Finlayson KA, van de Merwe JP, Leusch FDL. Review of ecologically relevant in vitro bioassays to supplement current in vivo tests for whole effluent toxicity testing - Part 2: Non-apical endpoints. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158094. [PMID: 35987232 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158094] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing uses whole animal exposures to assess the toxicity of complex mixtures, like wastewater. These assessments typically include four apical endpoints: mortality, growth, development, and reproduction. In the last decade, there has been a shift to alternative methods that align with the 3Rs to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research. In vitro bioassays can provide a cost-effective, high-throughput, ethical alternative to in vivo assays. In addition, they can potentially include additional, more sensitive, environmentally relevant endpoints than traditional toxicity tests. However, the ecological relevance of these endpoints must be established before they are adopted into regulatory frameworks. This is Part 2 of a two-part review that aims to identify in vitro bioassays that are linked to ecologically relevant endpoints that could be included in WET testing. Part 2 of this review focuses on non-apical endpoints that should be incorporated into WET testing. In addition to the four apical endpoints addressed in Part 1, this review identified seven additional toxic outcomes: endocrine disruption, xenobiotic metabolism, carcinogenicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity. For each, the response at the molecular or cellular level measured in vitro was linked to the response at the organism level through a toxicity pathway. Literature from 2015 to 2020 was used to identify suitable bioassays that could be incorporated into WET testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason P van de Merwe
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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40
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Bertanza G, Steimberg N, Pedrazzani R, Boniotti J, Ceretti E, Mazzoleni G, Menghini M, Urani C, Zerbini I, Feretti D. Wastewater toxicity removal: Integrated chemical and effect-based monitoring of full-scale conventional activated sludge and membrane bioreactor plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158071. [PMID: 35988629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The literature is currently lacking effect-based monitoring studies targeted at evaluating the performance of full-scale membrane bioreactor plants. In this research, a monitoring campaign was performed at a full-scale wastewater treatment facility with two parallel lines (traditional activated sludge and membrane bioreactor). Beside the standard parameters (COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, and metals), 6 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, 29 insecticides, 2 herbicides, and 3 endocrine disrupting compounds were measured. A multi-tiered battery of bioassays complemented the investigation, targeting different toxic modes of action and employing various biological systems (uni/multicellular, prokaryotes/eukaryotes, trophic level occupation). A traffic light scoring approach was proposed to quickly visualize the impact of treatment on overall toxicity that occurred after the exposure to raw and concentrated wastewater. Analysis of the effluents of the CAS and MBR lines show very good performance of the two systems for removal of organic micropollutants and metals. The most noticeable differences between CAS and MBR occurred in the concentration of suspended solids; chemical analyses did not show major differences. On the other hand, bioassays demonstrated better performance for the MBR. Both treatment lines complied with the Italian law's "ecotoxicity standard for effluent discharge in surface water". Yet, residual biological activity was still detected, demonstrating the adequacy and sensitivity of the toxicological tools, which, by their inherent nature, allow the overall effects of complex mixtures to be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Bertanza
- DICATAM-Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; MISTRAAL Interdepartmental Research Center - MISTRAL - Inter-University Research Center "Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health", DSCS, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Nathalie Steimberg
- MISTRAAL Interdepartmental Research Center - MISTRAL - Inter-University Research Center "Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health", DSCS, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; DSCS-Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Roberta Pedrazzani
- MISTRAAL Interdepartmental Research Center - MISTRAL - Inter-University Research Center "Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health", DSCS, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; DIMI-Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Jennifer Boniotti
- DSCS-Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ceretti
- DSMC-Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Mazzoleni
- MISTRAAL Interdepartmental Research Center - MISTRAL - Inter-University Research Center "Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health", DSCS, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; DSCS-Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Michele Menghini
- DIMI-Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Chiara Urani
- MISTRAAL Interdepartmental Research Center - MISTRAL - Inter-University Research Center "Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health", DSCS, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; DISAT-Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, I-20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Zerbini
- DSMC-Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Donatella Feretti
- MISTRAAL Interdepartmental Research Center - MISTRAL - Inter-University Research Center "Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health", DSCS, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; DSMC-Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, I-25123 Brescia, Italy.
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41
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Neale PA, Escher BI, de Baat ML, Dechesne M, Deere DA, Enault J, Kools SAE, Loret JF, Smeets PWMH, Leusch FDL. Effect-based monitoring to integrate the mixture hazards of chemicals into water safety plans. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2022; 20:1721-1732. [PMID: 36573675 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2022.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Water safety plans (WSPs) are intended to assure safe drinking water (DW). WSPs involve assessing and managing risks associated with microbial, chemical, physical and radiological hazards from the catchment to the consumer. Currently, chemical hazards in WSPs are assessed by targeted chemical analysis, but this approach fails to account for the mixture effects of the many chemicals potentially present in water supplies and omits the possible effects of non-targeted chemicals. Consequently, effect-based monitoring (EBM) using in vitro bioassays and well plate-based in vivo assays are proposed as a complementary tool to targeted chemical analysis to support risk analysis, risk management and water quality verification within the WSP framework. EBM is frequently applied to DW and surface water and can be utilised in all defined monitoring categories within the WSP framework (including 'system assessment', 'validation', 'operational' and 'verification'). Examples of how EBM can be applied within the different WSP modules are provided, along with guidance on where to apply EBM and how frequently. Since this is a new area, guidance documents, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and decision-making frameworks are required for both bioassay operators and WSP teams to facilitate the integration of EBM into WSPs, with these resources being developed currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia E-mail:
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia E-mail: ; Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig 04318, Germany; Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Milo L de Baat
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Magali Dechesne
- Veolia Research & Innovation, 765 rue Henri Becquerel, Montpellier 34965, France
| | | | - Jérôme Enault
- SUEZ CIRSEE, 38 rue du President Wilson, Le Pecq 78230, France
| | | | | | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia E-mail:
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Finckh S, Buchinger S, Escher BI, Hollert H, König M, Krauss M, Leekitratanapisan W, Schiwy S, Schlichting R, Shuliakevich A, Brack W. Endocrine disrupting chemicals entering European rivers: Occurrence and adverse mixture effects in treated wastewater. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107608. [PMID: 36343551 PMCID: PMC9720157 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In the present study on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in treated wastewater, we used chemical and effect-based tools to analyse 56 wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents from 15 European countries. The main objectives were (i) to compare three different receptor-based estrogenicity assays (ERα-GeneBLAzer, p-YES, ERα-CALUX®), and (ii) to investigate a combined approach of chemical target analysis and receptor-based testing for estrogenicity, glucocorticogenic activity, androgenicity and progestagenic activity (ERα-, GR-, AR- and PR-GeneBLAzer assays, respectively) in treated wastewater. A total of 56 steroids and phenols were detected at concentrations ranging from 25 pg/L (estriol, E3) up to 2.4 μg/L (cortisone). WWTP effluents, which passed an advanced treatment via ozonation or via activated carbon, were found to be less contaminated, in terms of lower or no detection of steroids and phenols, as well as hormone receptor-mediated effects. This result was confirmed by the effect screening, including the three ERα-bioassays. In the GeneBLAzer assays, ERα-activity was detected in 82 %, and GR-activity in 73 % of the samples, while AR- and PR-activity were only measured in 14 % and 21 % of the samples, respectively. 17β-estradiol was confirmed as the estrogen dominating the observed estrogenic mixture effect and triamcinolone acetonide was the dominant driver of glucocorticogenic activity. The comparison of bioanalytical equivalent concentrations (BEQ) predicted from the detected concentrations and the relative effect potency (BEQchem) with measured BEQ (BEQbio) demonstrated good correlations of chemical target analysis and receptor-based testing results with deviations mostly within a factor of 10. Bioassay-specific effect-based trigger values (EBTs) from the literature, but also newly calculated EBTs based on previously proposed derivation options, were applied and allowed a preliminary assessment of the water quality of the tested WWTP effluent samples. Overall, this study demonstrates the high potential of linking chemical with effect-based analysis in water quality assessment with regard to EDC contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Finckh
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Buchinger
- Department of Biochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Federal Institute for Hydrology - BfG, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Beate I Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany; Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maria König
- Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Warich Leekitratanapisan
- Environmental Toxicology Unit - GhEnToxLab, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sabrina Schiwy
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rita Schlichting
- Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aliaksandra Shuliakevich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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43
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Planar chromatography-bioassays for the parallel and sensitive detection of androgenicity, anti-androgenicity and cytotoxicity. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1684:463582. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Simon E, Riegraf C, Schifferli A, Olbrich D, Bucher T, Vermeirssen ELM. Evaluation of Three ISO Estrogen Receptor Transactivation Assays Applied to 52 Domestic Effluent Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2512-2526. [PMID: 35876436 PMCID: PMC9826432 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are released to the aquatic environment by wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and can affect wildlife. In the last three decades, many in vitro assay platforms have been developed to detect and quantify estrogenicity in water. In 2018, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standardized protocols became available for three types of in vitro estrogen receptor transactivation assays (ERTAs) detecting estrogenicity in 96-well plates (ISO19040 1-3). Two ERTAs-lyticase Yeast Estrogen Screen (L-YES) and Arxula YES (A-YES)-use genetically modified yeast strains, whereas the third utilizes stably transfected human cells. One human cell based assay is ERα-CALUX, which is based on a genetically modified human bone osteosarcoma cell line. In the present study, we characterized the performance, comparability, and effectiveness of these three ERTAs, including an evaluation involving proposed water quality thresholds (effect-based trigger values [EBTs]). For a robust evaluation, we collected 52 effluent samples over three sampling campaigns at 15 different WWTPs in Switzerland. Estrogen receptor transactivation assay results were correlated and compared with results from chemical analysis targeting known estrogens. The three ERTAs showed comparable data over all campaigns. However, the selection of EBTs plays a significant role in the interpretation and comparison of bioassay results to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable water quality. Applying a fixed cross-assay EBT for effluent of 4 ng L-1 resulted in varying numbers of threshold exceedances ranging between zero and four samples depending on the ERTA used. Using assay-specific EBTs showed exceedances in eight samples (ERα-CALUX) and in one sample (A-YES), respectively. Thus, proposed EBTs do not produce similar risk profiles across samples and further refinement of assay-specific EBTs is needed to account for assay-specific differences and to enable the application of ERTAs as effect-based methods in environmental monitoring. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2512-2526. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Simon
- Swiss Centre for Applied EcotoxicologyDübendorfSwitzerland
- Air Pollution Control and Chemicals Division, Industrial Chemicals SectionFederal Office for the EnvironmentBernSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Daniel Olbrich
- Swiss Centre for Applied EcotoxicologyDübendorfSwitzerland
| | - Thomas Bucher
- Swiss Centre for Applied EcotoxicologyDübendorfSwitzerland
- Current affiliation: ETH ZurichLehrlabor BiologieZürichSwitzerland
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Jankowski MD, Fairbairn DJ, Baller JA, Westerhoff BM, Schoenfuss HL. Using the Daphnia magna Transcriptome to Distinguish Water Source: Wetland and Stormwater Case Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2107-2123. [PMID: 35622010 PMCID: PMC9545677 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in ecotoxicology is accurately and sufficiently measuring chemical exposures and biological effects given the presence of complex and dynamic contaminant mixtures in surface waters. It is impractical to quantify all chemicals in such matrices over space and time, and even if it were practical, concomitant biological effects would not be elucidated. Our study examined the performance of the Daphnia magna transcriptome to detect distinct responses across three water sources in Minnesota: laboratory (well) waters, wetland waters, and storm waters. Pyriproxyfen was included as a gene expression and male neonate production positive control to examine whether gene expression resulting from exposure to this well-studied juvenoid hormone analog can be detected in complex matrices. Laboratory-reared (<24 h) D. magna were exposed to a water source and/or pyriproxyfen for 16 days to monitor phenotypic changes or 96 h to examine gene expression responses using Illumina HiSeq 2500 (10 million reads per library, 50-bp paired end [2 × 50]). The results indicated that a unique gene expression profile was produced for each water source. At 119 ng/L pyriproxyfen (~25% effect concentration) for male neonate production, as expected, the Doublesex1 gene was up-regulated. In descending order, gene expression patterns were most discernable with respect to pyriproxyfen exposure status, season of stormwater sample collection, and wetland quality, as indicated by the index of biological integrity. However, the biological implications of the affected genes were not broadly clear given limited genome resources for invertebrates. Our study provides support for the utility of short-term whole-organism transcriptomic testing in D. magna to discern sample type, but highlights the need for further work on invertebrate genomics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2107-2123. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Jankowski
- Minnesota Pollution Control AgencySt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
- Veterinary Population Medicine DepartmentUniversity of Minnesota—Twin CitiesSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
- US Environmental Protection AgencySeattleWashingtonUSA
| | | | - Joshua A. Baller
- Minnesota Supercomputing InstituteUniversity of Minnesota—Twin CitiesMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Heiko L. Schoenfuss
- Aquatic Toxicology LaboratorySt. Cloud State UniversitySt. CloudMinnesotaUSA
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Lee J, Schlichting R, König M, Scholz S, Krauss M, Escher BI. Monitoring Mixture Effects of Neurotoxicants in Surface Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents with Neurite Outgrowth Inhibition in SH-SY5Y Cells. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2022; 2:523-535. [PMID: 37101724 PMCID: PMC10125335 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.2c00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based assays covering environmentally relevant modes of action are widely used for water quality monitoring. However, no high-throughput assays are available for testing developmental neurotoxicity of water samples. We implemented an assay that quantifies neurite outgrowth, which is one of the neurodevelopmental key events, and cell viability in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells using imaging techniques. We used this assay for testing of extracts of surface water collected in agricultural areas during rain events and effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where more than 200 chemicals had been quantified. Forty-one chemicals were tested individually that were suspected to contribute to the mixture effects among the detected chemicals in environmental samples. Sample sensitivity distributions indicated higher neurotoxicity for surface water samples than for effluents, and the endpoint of neurite outgrowth inhibition was six times more sensitive than cytotoxicity in the surface water samples and only three times more sensitive in the effluent samples. Eight environmental pollutants showed high specificity, and those ranged from pharmaceuticals (mebendazole and verapamil) to pesticides (methiocarb and clomazone), biocides (1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one), and industrial chemicals (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin, and 2-(4-morpholinyl)benzothiazole). Although neurotoxic effects were newly detected for some of our test chemicals, less than 1% of the measured effects were explained by the detected and toxicologically characterized chemicals. The neurotoxicity assay was benchmarked against other bioassays: activations of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor were similar in sensitivity, highly sensitive and did not differ much between the two water types, with surface water having slightly higher effects than the WWTP effluent. Oxidative stress response mirrored neurotoxicity quite well but was caused by different chemicals in the two water types. Overall, the new cell-based neurotoxicity assay is a valuable complement to the existing battery of effect-based monitoring tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungeun Lee
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rita Schlichting
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria König
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Scholz
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research−UFZ, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Rodrigues S, Pinto I, Martins F, Formigo N, Antunes SC. An ecotoxicological approach can complement the assessment of natural waters from Portuguese reservoirs? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:52147-52161. [PMID: 35260979 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Within the scope of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), the scientific community recognized clear opportunities to take advantage of the use of ecotoxicological tools in water quality assessments. In this perspective, bioassays and biomarkers were suggested to contribute to the integration of the chemical and biological conditions, and thus to provide an overall insight into the quality of a water body. This study aimed to assess whether current bioassays as feeding rate assays with Daphnia longispina and growth inhibition assays with Lemna minor are suitable to detect potential ecotoxicity, using waters from Portuguese reservoirs. Several sampling sites were defined in reservoirs (Miranda, Pocinho, and Alqueva). The samplings were conducted in autumn of 2018 and spring of 2019. Total chlorophyll, lipid peroxidation, and proline content were also evaluated in L. minor. Results demonstrated that D. longispina showed some sensitivity to water treatments; however, the results were difficult to interpret since no reason or trend can be accurate. All parameters of L. minor did not show sensitivity to detect potential ecotoxicological risks associated with natural water understudy, since no discrimination among the water treatments was recorded. However, biomarkers/bioassays proved to be concordant to each other. Under the conditions evaluated here (reservoirs and sampling periods), the biological responses observed were not consistent, clear, and coherent with the physical-chemical parameters and chemical analyses performed, suggesting that the ecotoxicological tools selected were not sensitive to assess water quality in this type of ecosystems. In this sense, species of different trophic levels are recommended for ecotoxicological analyses due to differences in species sensitivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rodrigues
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade Do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Ivo Pinto
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade Do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Fábio Martins
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade Do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Nuno Formigo
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Cristina Antunes
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre S/N, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade Do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Wang Z, Liao Y, Li X, Shuang C, Pan Y, Li Y, Li A. Effect of ammonia on acute toxicity and disinfection byproducts formation during chlorination of secondary wastewater effluents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 826:153916. [PMID: 35183634 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) significantly affects the occurrence of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and residual chlorine in chlorinated wastewater, thereby affecting the acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. In this paper, the formation of thirty-five halogenated DBPs and the changes in acute toxicity of luminescent bacteria and zebrafish embryos were evaluated after chlorination of seven secondary wastewater effluents with different NH3-N concentrations. Results showed that NH3-N significantly reduced the formation of most DBPs by 82-100%. The acute toxicity was enhanced after chlorination and increased linearly with increasing NH3-N concentration for luminescent bacteria (r = 0.986, p < 0.05) and zebrafish embryos (r = 0.972, p < 0.05) due to the coexistence of DBPs and monochloramine. According to the toxicity classification system of wastewater, the fitting results indicated that the toxicity level was acceptable for chlorinated wastewater with NH3-N concentration below 1.00 mg-N/L. DBPs might be the main toxicant to luminescent bacteria in the wastewater with low NH3-N concentrations (0.06-0.31 mg-N/L), which accounted for 68-97% of the toxicity contribution. By contrast, monochloramine contributed over 80% to the toxicity of luminescent bacteria and zebrafish embryos in the wastewater with high NH3-N concentrations (2.66-7.17 mg-N/L). Compared to chlorination, chlorine dioxide and ultraviolet disinfection unaffected by NH3-N could reduce acute toxicity by nearly 100%, primarily due to the lack of residual disinfectant. In view of the high toxicity caused by chlorination, chlorination-dechlorination or chlorine dioxide and UV disinfection are highly recommended for the treatment of wastewater with high NH3-N concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yufeng Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiuwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chendong Shuang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Quanzhou Institute for Environmental Protection Industry, Nanjing University, Quanzhou 362008, China
| | - Yang Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Aimin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Quanzhou Institute for Environmental Protection Industry, Nanjing University, Quanzhou 362008, China.
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Luo YS, Chen Z, Hsieh NH, Lin TE. Chemical and biological assessments of environmental mixtures: A review of current trends, advances, and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 432:128658. [PMID: 35290896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Considering the chemical complexity and toxicity data gaps of environmental mixtures, most studies evaluate the chemical risk individually. However, humans are usually exposed to a cocktail of chemicals in real life. Mixture health assessment remains to be a research area having significant knowledge gaps. Characterization of chemical composition and bioactivity/toxicity are the two critical aspects of mixture health assessments. This review seeks to introduce the recent progress and tools for the chemical and biological characterization of environmental mixtures. The state-of-the-art techniques include the sampling, extraction, rapid detection methods, and the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to generate the toxicity data of an environmental mixture. Application of these novel methods, or new approach methodologies (NAMs), has increased the throughput of generating chemical and toxicity data for mixtures and thus refined the mixture health assessment. Combined with computational methods, the chemical and biological information would shed light on identifying the bioactive/toxic components in an environmental mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Syuan Luo
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Zunwei Chen
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nan-Hung Hsieh
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Tzu-En Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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50
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Onwurah AI, Oje OA, Okpashi V, Udebuani AC, Ugwu CE, Onwurah IN. Quantitative modelling of Ostracod bioassay: assigning toxicity index to potentially chemical contaminated swimming pools. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:31075-31084. [PMID: 35000162 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17913-5] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
One of the primary objectives of any public health programme is to design a protocol that will curtail a population from being predisposed to toxic substances in the environment. Biomarkers help in actualising such an objective by their potential to detect the presence of toxic substances in environmental media such as soil, water and air. The Ostracod Heterocypris incongruens, an already established biomarker for quality evaluation of freshwater, does not quantify toxicity. This work was aimed at modelling Ostracod bioassay as a quantitative whole-water toxicity assay (QWTA) for the determination of potentially chemical contaminated swimming pools. In this modelling approach, a pool water sample was deliberately contaminated with a mixture of Fenton reagent (FR) and Bonny light (BL) crude oil. The mechanism of toxic injury of this mixture is via oxidative stress-mediated superoxide ion and other free radicals. The mortalities and growth factors of the exposed freshly hatched Ostracods to the serial dilutions of the contaminated swimming pool water sample for 6 days were mathematically modelled to toxicity indices (Ti), which were used to construct the toxicity reference curve (TRC). A graph of the "toxic concentrations" of the serially diluted contaminated pool water sample against Ostracod mortality was plotted. The TRC and the linear graph constitute the "Ostracod-linked mathematical model". Against the reference mortality ≤ 20% of the Ostracods, the toxicity index based on the model prediction is ≤ 32.5, and this signifies "no observed toxic effect" for toxicity values below 32.5 units. Using this model, toxicity indices were calculated for 5 randomly selected swimming pools in the study area. The results showed that the outdoor pool SP 5 has a toxic index of 49.0, while outdoor pools SP 2 and SP 3 each has a toxic index of 42.5. The indoor swimming pool (SP 4) and Standard water (control) have zero toxicity, thus suggesting that that the outdoor pools SP 2, SP 3 and SP 5 were possibly contaminated by chemicals from extraneous sources while contamination of SP 1 was very much negligible, hence the "no observed toxic effect".
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Affiliation(s)
- Arinze I Onwurah
- Centre for Environmental Management and Control (CEMAC), University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Obinna A Oje
- Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Victor Okpashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Angela C Udebuani
- Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
| | - Chidiebere E Ugwu
- Department of Human Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Okofia-Nnewi, Nigeria
| | - Ikechukwu N Onwurah
- Pollution Control and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
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