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Šauer P, Vojs Staňová A, Bořík A, Valentová O, Grabic R, Kocour Kroupová H. High enrichment factors in chemical analysis of progestins and in bioassays: insights beyond trace levels. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:38500-38511. [PMID: 38806985 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33714-y] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Concerns are growing about adverse effects of progestins on biota, even at ultra-trace concentrations. The enrichment factor (EF) from extraction of analytes in environmental samples that is needed for sample pre-concentration can affect not only performance of the analytical method but also the matrix effect. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the influence of high sample EF on performance of the high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and photoionization coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI/APPI-HRMS) method for analysis of progestins in waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and surface waters and analysis of (anti-)progestogenic activities measured by (anti-)PR-CALUX bioassays. The results showed that HPLC-APCI/APPI-HRMS coupled with solid-phase extraction and a high EF (33,333 Lwater/Lextract) enabled the detection of more compounds compared to samples with lower sample EF (10,000 Lwater/Lextract). The matrix effect did not increase proportionally compared to lower EFs (10,000 and 16,666 Lwater/Lextract), and lower limits of quantification were achieved in WWTP effluents and surface waters. The results of bioassays have shown that relative EF of 25 Lwater/Lbioassay appears high enough to detect progestogenic activity in treated waste water. Our study is one of the first to provide insights into sample pre-concentration in analysis of progestins and progestogenicity in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Andrea Vojs Staňová
- 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, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ilkovičova 6, SK-842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Adam Bořík
- 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, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Valentová
- 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, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Grabic
- 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, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - 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, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
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Xu M, Zhang G, Qiu Y, Li Y, Liu C, Yang X. Biotransformation of cyproterone acetate, drospirenone, and megestrol acetate in agricultural soils: Kinetics, microbial community dynamics, transformation products, and mechanisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166847. [PMID: 37690749 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166847] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of biologically active synthetic progestins in agricultural soils is of growing concern due to their potential to disrupt the endocrine function of aquatic fish in nearby surface waters. This study investigated the biotransformation outcomes of cyproterone acetate (CPA), drospirenone (DRO), and megestrol acetate (MGA) in four agricultural soils. The biotransformation data were fitted to a first-order decay model (R2 = 0.93-0.99), with half-lives and first-order decay coefficients ranging from 76.2-217 h and 9.10 × 10-3-3.20 × 10-3 (h-1), respectively. Abundant biotransformation products (TPs) were generated during incubation, with the number and yields varying across the four soils. 1,2-Dehydrogenation was the main transformation pathway of DRO in the four soils (yields of 32.3-214 %). Similarly, 1,2-dehydrogenation was the most relevant transformation pathway of MGA in the four soils (yields of 21.8-417 %). C3 reduction was the major transformation pathway of CPA in soils B, C, and D (yields of 114-245 %). Hydrogenation (yield of 133 %) and hydroxylation (yield of 21.0 %) were the second major transformation pathway of CPA in soil B and C, respectively. In particular, several TPs exhibited progestogenic and antimineralocorticoid activity, as well as genotoxicity. The high-throughput sequencing indicated that interactions between microorganisms and soil properties may affect biotransformation. Spearman correlation and bidirectional network correlation analysis further revealed that soil properties can directly interfere with the soil sorption capacity for the progestins, thus affecting biotransformation. In particular, soil properties can also limit or promote biotransformation and the formation of TPs (i.e., biotransformation pathways) by affecting the relative abundances of relevant microorganisms. The results of this study indicate that the ecotoxicity of synthetic progestins and related TPs can vary across soils and that the assessment of environmental risks associated with these compounds requires special consideration of both soil properties and microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manxin Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Ge Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Yang Qiu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Yongtao Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Land Use and Consolidation, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Churong Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Xingjian Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Land Use and Consolidation, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.
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Jenila JS, Issac PK, Lam SS, Oviya JC, Jones S, Munusamy-Ramanujam G, Chang SW, Ravindran B, Mannacharaju M, Ghotekar S, Khoo KS. Deleterious effect of gestagens from wastewater effluent on fish reproduction in aquatic environment: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116810. [PMID: 37532209 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116810] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Gestagens are common pollutants accumulated in the aquatic ecosystem. Gestagens are comprised of natural gestagens (i.e. progesterone) and synthetic gestagens (i.e. progestins). The major contributors of gestagens in the environment are paper plant mill effluent, wastewater treatment plants, discharge from pharmaceutical manufacturing, and livestock farming. Gestagens present in the aquatic environment interact with progesterone receptors and other steroid hormone receptors, negatively influencing fish reproduction, development, and behavior. In fish, the gonadotropin induces 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) production, an important steroid hormone involved in gametogenesis. DHP interacts with the membrane progestin receptor (mPR), which regulates sperm motility and oocyte maturation. Gestagens also interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which results in altered hormone levels in fish. Moreover, recent studies showed that even at low concentrations exposure to gestagens can have detrimental effects on fish reproduction, including reduced egg production, masculinization, feminization in males, and altered sex ratio, raising concerns about their impact on the fish population. This review highlights the hormonal regulation of sperm motility, oocyte maturation, the concentration of environmental gestagens in the aquatic environment, and their detrimental effects on fish reproduction. However, the long-term and combined impacts of multiple gestagens, including their interactions with other pollutants on fish populations and ecosystems are not well understood. The lack of standardized regulations and monitoring protocols for gestagens pollution in wastewater effluent hampers effective control and management. Nonetheless, advancements in analytical techniques and biomonitoring methods provide potential solutions by enabling better detection and quantification of gestagens in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Jenila
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Issac
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - J Christina Oviya
- Department of Biotechnology, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, Chennai, India; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Sumathi Jones
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, BIHER, Chennai, India
| | - Ganesh Munusamy-Ramanujam
- Molecular Biology and Immunobiology Division, Interdisciplinary Institute of Indian System of Medicine, SRM-IST, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
| | - Soon Woong Chang
- Department of Environmental Energy & Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16227, South Korea
| | - Balasubramani Ravindran
- Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Thandalam, Chennai, 602 105, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Environmental Energy & Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16227, South Korea
| | - Mahesh Mannacharaju
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Suresh Ghotekar
- Department of Chemistry, Smt. Devkiba Mohansinhji Chauhan College of Commerce and Science (University of Mumbai), Silvassa, 396 230, Dadra and Nagar Haveli (UT), India
| | - Kuan Shiong Khoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Centre for Herbal Pharmacology and Environmental Sustainability, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, 603103, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Jiang X, Xue Z, Chen W, Xu M, Liu H, Liang J, Zhang L, Sun Y, Liu C, Yang X. Biotransformation kinetics and pathways of typical synthetic progestins in soil microcosms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130684. [PMID: 36586332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Gestodene (GES), altrenogest (ALT), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) are three potent synthetic progestins detected in agricultural soils; however, their biotransformation outcomes in soils remain unclear. This study explored the biotransformation of these progestins in five agricultural soils with different physicochemical properties. The biotransformation data were well-described by a first-order decay model (R2 = 0.83-0.99), with estimated half-lives ranging between 12.1 and 188 h. Amplicon sequencing indicated that the presence of progestins changed the bacterial richness and community structure in the soils. Linear correlation, canonical correlation, and two-way correlation network analysis revealed that soil properties can affect biotransformation rates by interfering with progestin-soil interactions or with keystone taxa in soils. The clustermap demonstrated the formation of abundant transformation products (TPs). Isomerization and C4(5) hydrogenation were the major transformation pathways for GES (yields of ∼ 13.7 % and ∼ 10.6 %, respectively). Aromatic dehydrogenation was the major transformation pathway for ALT (yield of ∼ 17.4 %). The C17 hydrolysis with subsequent dehydration and hydrogenation was the major transformation pathway for MPA (yield of ∼ 196 %). In particular, some TPs exhibited progestagenic, androgenic, or estrogenic activity. This study highlights the importance of evaluating the ecotoxicity of progestin and TP mixtures for better understanding their risks in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Jiang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Zhongye Xue
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Weisong Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Manxin Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - He Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Jiahao Liang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, PR China
| | - Lu Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - Yan Sun
- Guangdong Institute of Eco-environmental Science & Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510650, PR China
| | - Churong Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.
| | - Xingjian Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Joint Institute for Environment & Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China.
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Ravele T, Fuku XG, Hlongwa NW, Nkambule TTI, Gumbi NN, Sekhosana KE. Advances in Electrochemical Systems for Detection of Anti‐Androgens in Water Bodies. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thompho Ravele
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Xolile G. Fuku
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Ntuthuko W. Hlongwa
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Thabo T. I. Nkambule
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Nozipho N. Gumbi
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
| | - Kutloano E. Sekhosana
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) University of South Africa Cnr Christiaan De Wet and Pioneer Avenue, Florida Roodepoort 1709 South Africa
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Hu X, Geng J, Zhao F, Min C, Guan L, Yu Q, Ren H. Fate of progesterone and norgestrel in anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A/A/O) process: Insights from biotransformation and mass flow. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:158844. [PMID: 36126716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158844] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) and norgestrel (NGT) are two steroid progestogens that can pose adverse effects on aquatic organisms at ng/L levels. Despite increasing concern on their occurrence and removal in wastewater, their fate in the wastewater treatment process has not been well documented. This study identified the transformation products (TPs) of P4 and NGT in anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A/A/O) process. Potential functional genes involved in biotransformation of P4 and NGT were explored. The elimination or formation behavior of P4, NGT and convinced TPs along various units of A/A/O process was revealed through the mass flow. Results showed that 12 and 13 TPs were identified in the P4 and NGT groups respectively, wherein 10 identical TPs and C-19 structures transformation pathways were observed in both groups. Six genes were found that may be involved in dehydrogenation and isomerization reactions in the pathways. Mass flow indicated that P4 and NGT were mainly eliminated in anaerobic and anoxic units, while convinced TPs mainly formed in anaerobic and anoxic units and were then eliminated in aerobic unit. Further, the ecological risks of the effluent should not be ignored as residual compounds including P4 or NGT and their TPs in the effluent still posed adverse effects on zebrafish transcript levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianda Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China
| | - Fuzheng Zhao
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Anning West Road No. 88, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Chao Min
- Laboratory of Data Intelligence and Interdisciplinary Innovation, School of Information Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Linchang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Qingmiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
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Synthetic Progestins in Waste and Surface Waters: Concentrations, Impacts and Ecological Risk. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10040163. [PMID: 35448424 PMCID: PMC9026682 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10040163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic progestins (PGs) are a large family of hormones used in continuously growing amounts in human and animal contraception and medicinal therapies. Because wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are unable to eradicate PGs after excretion, they are discharged into aquatic systems, where they can also be regenerated from conjugated PG metabolites. This review summarises the concentrations of 12 PGs in waters from 2015 to 2021. The selected PGs were considered of particular interest due to their wide use, activity, and hormonal derivation (from testosterone, progesterone, and spirolactone). We concluded that PGs had been analysed in WWTPs influents and effluents and, to a lesser extent, in other matrices, including surface waters, where their concentrations range from ng/L to a few µg/L. Because of their high affinity for cell hormone receptors, PGs are endocrine disruptor compounds that may alter the reproductive fitness and development of biota. This review focused on their biological effects in fish, which are the most used aquatic model organisms to qualify the impacts of PGs, highlighting the risks that environmental concentrations pose to their health, fecundity, and fertility. It is concluded that PGs research should be expanded because of the still limited data on their environmental concentrations and effects.
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Yu Q, Yang X, Zhao F, Hu X, Ren H, Geng J. Occurrence and removal of progestogens from wastewater treatment plants in China: Spatiotemporal variation and process comparison. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 211:118038. [PMID: 35045367 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the overall occurrence and spatiotemporal variation of 19 progestogens in 608 samples collected from 17 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) distributed across China during four seasons. The aqueous removal efficiencies of progestogens were calculated and the efficacies of process segments, secondary and advanced processes, and process units in the removal of progestogens were explored. The results indicated that progestogens were widely detected in investigating WWTPs, with the progesterone, dydrogesterone, dienogest, ethisterone, and norethindrone were always dominant in the influent, secondary effluent, final effluent, and excess sludge. Seasonally, the influent exhibited more variability than the other matrices, that 10 progestogens concentrations varied significantly during the four seasons. Spatially, the influent concentrations of progestogens were generally higher in northern WWTPs than that in southern WWTPs during spring and summer. Eight progestogens were stably removed by the WWTPs across seasons, and most progestogens varied considerably in removal in different WWTPs. The conventional process segment was the dominant contributor to progestogen removal. The anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process and a combined process consisting of densadeg and cloth media filter and ultraviolet disinfection showed the highest removal of progestogens among various secondary and advanced treatment processes, respectively. Mass balance analysis showed that most progestogens were effectively eliminated in the aerobic unit, with biodegradation being the primary removal pathway. This study presents the first picture of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the distribution of progestogens in WWTPs of China and provides valuable information for better understanding of the occurrence and removal of progestogens in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingmiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, No. 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Xudong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, No. 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Fuzheng Zhao
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Anning West Road No. 88, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xianda Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, No. 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, No. 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, No. 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29205, United States
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, Koblenz 56068, Germany
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Ojoghoro JO, Scrimshaw MD, Sumpter JP. Steroid hormones in the aquatic environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 792:148306. [PMID: 34157532 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones are extremely important natural hormones in all vertebrates. They control a wide range of physiological processes, including osmoregulation, sexual maturity, reproduction and stress responses. In addition, many synthetic steroid hormones are in widespread and general use, both as human and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Recent advances in environmental analytical chemistry have enabled concentrations of steroid hormones in rivers to be determined. Many different steroid hormones, both natural and synthetic, including transformation products, have been identified and quantified, demonstrating that they are widespread aquatic contaminants. Laboratory ecotoxicology experiments, mainly conducted with fish, but also amphibians, have shown that some steroid hormones, both natural and synthetic, can adversely affect reproduction when present in the water at extremely low concentrations: even sub-ng/L. Recent research has demonstrated that mixtures of different steroid hormones can inhibit reproduction even when each individual hormone is present at a concentration below which it would not invoke a measurable effect on its own. Limited field studies have supported the conclusions of the laboratory studies that steroid hormones may be environmental pollutants of significant concern. Further research is required to identify the main sources of steroid hormones entering the aquatic environment, better describe the complex mixtures of steroid hormones now known to be ubiquitously present, and determine the impacts of environmentally-realistic mixtures of steroid hormones on aquatic vertebrates, especially fish. Only once that research is completed can a robust aquatic risk assessment of steroid hormones be concluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- J O Ojoghoro
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - M D Scrimshaw
- Division of Environmental Science, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.
| | - J P Sumpter
- Division of Environmental Science, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.
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Zhao HN, Tian Z, Kim KE, Wang R, Lam K, Kolodziej EP. Biotransformation of Current-Use Progestin Dienogest and Drospirenone in Laboratory-Scale Activated Sludge Systems Forms High-Yield Products with Altered Endocrine Activity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13869-13880. [PMID: 34582191 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dienogest (DIE) and drospirenone (DRO) are two fourth-generation synthetic progestins widely used as oral contraceptives. Despite their increasing detection in wastewaters and surface waters, their fate during biological wastewater treatment is unclear. Here, we investigated DIE and DRO biotransformation with representative activated sludge batch incubations and identified relevant transformation products (TPs) using high-resolution mass spectrometry. DIE exhibited slow biotransformation (16-30 h half-life) and proceeded through a quantitative aromatic dehydrogenation to form TP 309 (molar yields of ∼55%), an aromatic TP ∼30% estrogenic as 17β-estradiol. DRO experienced more rapid biotransformation (<0.5 h half-life), and 1,2-dehydrogenation formed the major TP 364 (molar yields of ∼40%), an antimineralocorticoid drug candidate named as spirorenone. Lactone ring hydrolysis was another important biotransformation pathway for DRO (molar yields of ∼20%) and generated pharmacologically inactive TP 384. Other minor pathways for DIE and DRO included hydroxylation, methoxylation, and 3-keto and C4(5) double-bond hydrogenation; distinct bioactivities are plausible for such TPs, including antigestagenic activity, antigonadotropic activity, and pregnancy inhibition effects. Thus, biotransformation products of DIE and DRO during wastewater treatment should be considered in environmental assessments of synthetic progestins, especially certain TPs such as the estrogenic TP 309 of DIE and the antimineralocorticoid spirorenone (TP 364) of DRO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqi Nina Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
| | - Zhenyu Tian
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
| | - Kelly E Kim
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
| | - Kenji Lam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Edward P Kolodziej
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States
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