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Xiang T, Shi C, Guo Y, Zhang J, Min W, Sun J, Liu J, Yan X, Liu Y, Yao L, Mao Y, Yang X, Shi J, Yan B, Qu G, Jiang G. Effect-directed analysis of androgenic compounds from sewage sludges in China. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121652. [PMID: 38657313 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121652] [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: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The safety of municipal sewage sludge has raised great concerns because of the accumulation of large-scale endocrine disrupting chemicals in the sludge during wastewater treatment. The presence of contaminants in sludge can cause secondary pollution owing to inappropriate disposal mechanisms, posing potential risks to the environment and human health. Effect-directed analysis (EDA), involving an androgen receptor (AR) reporter gene bioassay, fractionation, and suspect and nontarget chemical analysis, were applied to identify causal AR agonists in sludge; 20 of the 30 sludge extracts exhibited significant androgenic activity. Among these, the extracts from Yinchuan, Kunming, and Shijiazhuang, which held the most polluted AR agonistic activities were prepared for extensive EDA, with the dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-equivalency of 2.5 - 4.5 ng DHT/g of sludge. Seven androgens, namely boldione, androstenedione, testosterone, megestrol, progesterone, and testosterone isocaproate, were identified in these strongest sludges together, along with testosterone cypionate, first reported in sludge media. These identified androgens together accounted for 55 %, 87 %, and 52 % of the effects on the sludge from Yinchuan, Shijiazhuang, and Kunming, respectively. This study elucidates the causative androgenic compounds in sewage sludge and provides a valuable reference for monitoring and managing androgens in wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Xiang
- College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110004, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Chunzhen Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Yunhe Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weicui Min
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiazheng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jifu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Xiliang Yan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yanna Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Linlin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yuxiang Mao
- School of Resources & Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Xiaoxi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bing Yan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110004, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310000, China
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Xiang Q, Shen X, Li K, Wang Z, Zhao X, Chen Q. Occurrence, distribution, and environmental risk of 61 glucocorticoids in surface water of the Yellow River Delta, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167504. [PMID: 37783438 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167504] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs), as important endocrine disrupting compounds and emerging contaminants, could have irreversible adverse effects on aquatic organisms even at ng/L levels. However, previous studies have only focused on the dissolved concentrations of GCs in the water, and limited data are available for their occurrences in the solid phase. In this study, the occurrence, distribution, and environmental risks of 61 natural and synthetic GCs in surface water of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) were simultaneously analyzed by investigating water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment samples at 64 sites in six major rivers in the wet season. Overall, 51 GCs were detected in all samples from different matrices, and their concentrations were in the range of not detected (ND)-274 ng/L in water, ND-42 ng/g dry weight (dw) in SPM and ND-9.98 ng/g dw in sediment. Natural GCs were the dominant compounds in all samples, followed by synthetic halogenated esters. High concentrations of GCs were observed in discharge outlet samples from livestock farming, aquaculture and industrial production, and the composition differences of GCs between human/animal sources and industrial sources could be used as indicators to identify pollution sources. Most GCs were distributed in the water phase, while compounds with higher log octanol/water partition coefficients (log Kow) tended to be adsorbed to SPM and sediment. The spatial distribution of GCs was primarily affected by anthropogenic activities and hydrodynamic conditions. Four synthetic compounds (budesonide [BD], fluocinolone acetonide [FOA], fluticasone propionate [FP], and clobetasol propionate [CBSP]) were identified as the main contributors to GC activity with a combined contribution of 57 %-95 %. Risk assessment using the risk quotient revealed that low to moderate risks are posed to aquatic organisms in surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Xiang
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoyan Shen
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Kun Li
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Xinkun Zhao
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
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Gutiérrez-Noya VM, Gómez-Oliván LM, Casas-Hinojosa I, García-Medina S, Rosales-Pérez KE, Orozco-Hernández JM, Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Galar-Martínez M, Dublán-García O, Islas-Flores H. Short-term exposure to dexamethasone at environmentally relevant concentrations impairs embryonic development in Cyprinus carpio: Bioconcentration and alteration of oxidative stress-related gene expression patterns. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165528. [PMID: 37451451 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165528] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years and as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the consumption of dexamethasone (DXE) has increased. This favors that this corticosteroid is highly released in aquatic environments, generating deleterious effects in aquatic organisms. The information on the toxic effects of DXE in the environment is still limited. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine whether DXE at short-term exposure can cause alterations to embryonic development and alteration of oxidative stress-related gene expression patterns in Cyprinus carpio. For this purpose, common carp embryos (2 hpf) were exposed to realistic concentrations of DXE until 96 hpf. Alterations to embryonic development were evaluated at 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hpf. In addition, oxidative stress in carp embryos at 72 and 96 hpf was evaluated by cellular oxidation biomarkers (lipoperoxidation level, hydroperoxide and carbonyl protein content) and antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase). Oxidative stress-related gene expression (sod, cat and gpx1) was also evaluated. Our results showed that DXE concentrations above 35 ng/L are capable of producing alterations to embryonic development in 50 % of the embryo population. Furthermore, DXE was able to induce alterations such as scoliosis, hypopigmentation, craniofacial malformations, pericardial edema and growth retardation, leading to the death of half of the population at 50 ng/L of DXE. Concerning oxidative stress, the results demonstrated that DXE induce oxidative damage on the embryos of C. carpio. In conclusion, DXE is capable of altering embryonic development and generating oxidative stress in common carp C. carpio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Margarita Gutiérrez-Noya
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez-Oliván
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Idalia Casas-Hinojosa
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Sandra García-Medina
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Karina Elisa Rosales-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - José Manuel Orozco-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Axel Elizalde-Velázquez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Marcela Galar-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Acuática, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu s/n y cerrada Manuel Stampa, Col. Industrial Vallejo, Ciudad de México CP 07700, Mexico
| | - Octavio Dublán-García
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Hariz Islas-Flores
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Colón intersección Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, CP 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
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Feng H, Xu X, Peng P, Yang C, Zou H, Chen C, Zhang Y. Sorption and desorption of epiandrosterone and cortisol on sewage sludge: Comparison to aquatic sediment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 329:121663. [PMID: 37085099 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Steroids have aroused global concern due to their potent endocrine-disrupting effects. Androgens and glucocorticoids are the most abundant species in sewage; however, our understanding of their fate and risks from the source to environmental sinks remains elusive. This study compared the sorption-desorption characteristics of epiandrosterone (EADR) and cortisol (CRL) in sewage sludge and aquatic sediment, and the surface and molecular interactions were tentatively investigated through infrared spectroscopy and the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix. The results showed that the sorption capacities of EADR and CRL in the sludge were 4015 L/kg and 81.17 L/kg, respectively, which are much larger than those in the sediment (EADR: 78.77 L/kg, CRL: 6.39 L/kg); 0.02%-1.2% of EADR and 0.2%-14.5% of CRL could be desorbed from sludge, while the desorption ratios were even lower in the sediment. The high organic content in the sludge might contribute to the larger sorption capacities, while the weak interaction between steroids and organic matter could lead to larger desorption potential. The sediment contained more mineral content and featured a larger specific surface area, which could be responsible for the greater desorption hysteresis for EADR and CRL. These results will help to better understand the potential risk of sewage sludge-associated steroids and their distribution in sediment-water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Feng
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xin Xu
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Peng Peng
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Chenghao Yang
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 85281, Arizona, USA
| | - Hua Zou
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Chen Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ecological Environment Simulation and Protection, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Guangzhou, 510535, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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Tue NM, Matsukami H, Tuyen LH, Suzuki G, Viet PH, Sudaryanto A, Subramanian A, Tanabe S, Kunisue T. Estrogenic, androgenic, and glucocorticoid activities and major causative compounds in river waters from three Asian countries. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:20765-20774. [PMID: 36255587 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23674-6] [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: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors (ER, AR, and GR) agonist activities in river water samples from Chennai and Bangalore (India), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Hanoi (Vietnam) were evaluated using a panel of chemical-activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) assays and were detected mainly in the dissolved phase. The ER agonist activity levels were 0.011-55 ng estradiol (E2)-equivalent/l, higher than the proposed effect-based trigger (EBT) value of 0.5 ng/l in most of the samples. The AR agonist activity levels were < 2.1-110 ng dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-equivalent/l, and all levels above the limit of quantification exceeded the EBT value of 3.4 ng/l. GR agonist activities were detected in only Bangalore and Hanoi samples at dexamethasone (Dex)-equivalent levels of < 16-150 ng/l and exceeded the EBT value of 100 ng/l in only two Bangalore samples. Major compounds contributing to the ER, AR, and GR agonist activities were identified for water samples from Bangalore and Hanoi, which had substantially higher activities in all assays, by using a combination of fractionation, CALUX measurement, and non-target and target chemical analysis. The results for pooled samples showed that the major ER agonists were the endogenous estrogens E2 and estriol, and the major GR agonists were the synthetic glucocorticoids Dex and clobetasol propionate. The only AR agonist identified in major androgenic water extract fractions was DHT, but several unidentified compounds with the same molecular formulae as endogenous androgens were also found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Minh Tue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hidenori Matsukami
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Le Huu Tuyen
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Go Suzuki
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Pham Hung Viet
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Agus Sudaryanto
- National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. M.H. Thamrin 8, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Annamalai Subramanian
- Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, 608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shinsuke Tanabe
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kunisue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, 790-8577, Japan.
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Optimized culture conditions facilitate the estrone biodegradation ability and laccase activity of Spirulina CPCC-695. Biodegradation 2023; 34:43-51. [PMID: 36396827 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-022-10005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are emerging contaminants that persist and contaminate the environment. They mimic hormones, block hormones, or modulate their synthesis, metabolism, transport, and action, affecting living organisms and their progeny. Steroid hormones from exogenous sources like water bodies are important EDCs. Their biodegradation is an urgent global need. The present study is a preliminary work to maximize the estrone degradation potential of Spirulina CPCC-695 and study the effect of optimized conditions on its laccase activity. It was observed that the exponential phase culture at pH 10.0, 30 ℃, and 200 rpm of agitation speed resulted in the maximum growth, estrone degradation efficiency (93.12%), and highest laccase activity (74%) of Spirulina CPCC-695.
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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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Yan L, Rong Q, Zhang H, Jones KC, Li Y, Luo J. Evaluation and Application of a Novel Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films Technique for In Situ Monitoring of Glucocorticoids in Natural Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15499-15507. [PMID: 36256587 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00834] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The potential environmental risks of glucocorticoids (GCs) have attracted attention in the past few decades. In this study, a novel diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) device and analytical technique based on the second generation of polar enhanced phase (PEP-2), PEP-2-DGT, were developed for sampling and quantifying natural and synthetic GCs in aquatic systems. The capacity of PEP-2 gels for accumulating all target compounds was >600 μg per disc, sufficient for long-term passive sampling of selected GCs, even in wastewaters. Systematic tests were carried out to verify the application of DGT in natural waters and wastewaters. The performance of PEP-2-DGT devices was independent (CDGT/Csoln was in the acceptable range of 0.9-1.1) of a wide range of environmental conditions: ionic strength (0.001-0.5 mol L-1), dissolved organic matter (0-20 mg L-1), and pH (3.06-9.02). It was tested for various diffusive layer thicknesses (0.565-2.065 mm) and different deployment times (10-168 h). Diffusion coefficients (D) of selected GCs through an agarose-based diffusive gel were determined for the first time (3.80-4.85 × 10-6 cm-2 s -1 at 25 °C). Linear correlations between D and log Kow were established for three groups of target GCs (R2 = 0.96-0.99). This could enable prediction of D values for other GCs with similar structures in the future, which will help for rapid screening and emergency monitoring. Concentrations and distribution patterns of analytes obtained by PEP-2-DGT devices in five rivers after 7- and 14-day deployments were in accordance with those measured from grab samples, with total GC concentrations ranging from 7 to 27 ng L-1 at all sampling sites, confirming the reliability and robustness of the DGT devices for monitoring GCs in natural waters. The development of the new DGT technique will help improve understanding of the behavior and fate of these compounds in the aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, P. R. China
| | - Qiuyu Rong
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LancasterLA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Hao Zhang
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LancasterLA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin C Jones
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LancasterLA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Yanying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, P. R. China
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, Liaoning116023, P. R. China
| | - Jun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu210023, P. R. China
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Huanyu T, Jianghong S, Wei G, Jiawei Z, Hui G, Yunhe W. Environmental fate and toxicity of androgens: A critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113849. [PMID: 35843282 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113849] [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: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Androgens are released by humans and livestock into the environment and which cause potent endocrine disruptions even at nanogram per liter levels. In this article, we reviewed updated research results on the structure, source, distribution characteristics and the fate of androgens in ecological systems; and emphasized the potential risk of androgens in aquatic organism. Androgens have moderately solubility in water (23.6-58.4 mg/L) and moderately hydrophobic (log Kow 2.75-4.40). The concentration of androgens in surface waters were mostly in ng/L ranges. The removal efficiencies of main wastewater treatment processes were about 70-100%, except oxidation ditch and stabilization ponds. Sludge adsorption and microbial degradation play important role in the androgens remove. The conjugated androgens were transformed into free androgens in environmental matrices. Global efforts to provide more toxicity data and establish standard monitoring methods need a revisit. Of the day available, there is an urgent need for comprehensive consideration of the impact of androgens on the environment and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Huanyu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Shi Jianghong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Guo Wei
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Zhang Jiawei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, China
| | - Ge Hui
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wang Yunhe
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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10
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Sources, Pollution Characteristics, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Steroids in Beihai Bay, Guangxi. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14091399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Steroids are environmental endocrine disruptors that are discharged from vertebrates and are also byproducts of aquaculture. They have strong endocrine disrupting effects and are extremely harmful to the environment. The pollution of steroids in Beihai Bay was assessed through analyzing sources from rivers entering the bay. Six different types of steroids were detected in seagoing rivers, seagoing discharge outlets, and marine aquaculture farms, ranging from 0.12 (methyltestosterone) to 2.88 ng/L (estrone), from 0.11 (cortisol) to 5.41 ng/L (6a-methylprednisone (Dragon)), and from 0.13 (estradiol) to 2.51 ng/L (nandrolone), respectively. Moreover, 5 steroids were detected in 13 of the 19 seawater monitoring stations, accounting for 68.4% of the samples, and their concentrations ranged from 0.18 (methyltestosterone) to 4.04 ng/L (estrone). Furthermore, 7 steroids were detected in 15 of the 19 sediment monitoring stations, accounting for 78.9% of the samples, with concentrations ranging from 26 (estrone) to 776 ng/kg(androsterone). Thus, the main source of marine steroids were the discharging rivers and pollution sources entering the sea. An ecological risk assessment indicated that estrone and methyltestosterone were at high risk in this region; 17β estradiol (E2β) was medium risk, and other steroids were of low or no risk. This study provides a scientific basis for ecological risk assessment and control.
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11
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Hamilton CM, Winter MJ, Margiotta-Casaluci L, Owen SF, Tyler CR. Are synthetic glucocorticoids in the aquatic environment a risk to fish? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 162:107163. [PMID: 35240385 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticosteroid, or glucocorticoid (GC), system is largely conserved across vertebrates and plays a central role in numerous vital physiological processes including bone development, immunomodulation, and modification of glucose metabolism and the induction of stress-related behaviours. As a result of their wide-ranging actions, synthetic GCs are widely prescribed for numerous human and veterinary therapeutic purposes and consequently have been detected extensively within the aquatic environment. Synthetic GCs designed for humans are pharmacologically active in non-mammalian vertebrates, including fish, however they are generally detected in surface waters at low (ng/L) concentrations. In this review, we assess the potential environmental risk of synthetic GCs to fish by comparing available experimental data and effect levels in fish with those in mammals. We found the majority of compounds were predicted to have insignificant risk to fish, however some compounds were predicted to be of moderate and high risk to fish, although the dataset of compounds used for this analysis was small. Given the common mode of action and high level of inter-species target conservation exhibited amongst the GCs, we also give due consideration to the potential for mixture effects, which may be particularly significant when considering the potential for environmental impact from this class of pharmaceuticals. Finally, we also provide recommendations for further research to more fully understand the potential environmental impact of this relatively understudied group of commonly prescribed human and veterinary drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles M Hamilton
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Matthew J Winter
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Luigi Margiotta-Casaluci
- Department of Analytical, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Stewart F Owen
- AstraZeneca, Global Environment, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2NA, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, UK.
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12
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Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production by Caenibius tardaugens from Steroidal Endocrine Disruptors. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040706. [PMID: 35456754 PMCID: PMC9027588 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The α-proteobacterium Caenibius tardaugens can use estrogens and androgens as the sole carbon source. These compounds are steroidal endocrine disruptors that are found contaminating soil and aquatic ecosystems. Here, we show that C. tardaugens, which has been considered as a valuable biocatalyst for aerobic steroidal hormone decontamination, is also able to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters of increasing biotechnological interest as a sustainable alternative to classical oil-derived polymers. Steroid catabolism yields a significant amount of propionyl-CoA that is metabolically directed towards PHA production through condensation into 3-ketovaleryl-CoA, rendering a PHA rich in 3-hydroxyvalerate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where PHAs are produced from steroids as carbon sources.
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13
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ZHOU Y, GONG J, YANG K, LIN C, WU C, ZHANG S. [Simultaneous determination of 24 corticosteroids in sediments based on ultrasonic extraction, solid-phase extraction, liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry]. Se Pu 2022; 40:165-174. [PMID: 35080163 PMCID: PMC9404236 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1123.2021.03025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticosteroids (CSs) are widely used to treat various inflammatory and immune diseases in humans and animals, such as arthritis and lupus. Thus far, CSs have been frequently detected in diverse pollution sources, such as in the influent and effluent of traditional wastewater treatment plants, livestock farms, and aquaculture. Owing to incomplete removal or limited treatment, CSs can enter the water environment and eventually be adsorbed in the sediment. Due to hydrodynamic effects, CSs can re-enter the surface water through the resuspension of sediments, and pose a hazard to the ecosystem and human health via the enrichment of aquatic organisms and transmission through the food chain. Therefore, trace analysis of CSs in sediments is significant for exploring their prevalence and behavior in multiple environments. However, existing research mainly focuses on the determination of glucocorticoids in water samples, and studies on the systematic quantitative analysis of CSs in environmental solid samples with more complex matrices are scarce. Moreover, majority of previous investigations focused on a limited number of glucocorticoids, making it important to widen the range of target compounds to be studied, including mineralocorticoids. In this study, the main factors which could influence the accuracy and sensitivity in the determination of 24 target CSs were systematically optimized in the sample pretreatment and instrument analysis. A novel method based on ultrasonic extraction coupled with solid phase extraction (SPE) for sample pretreatment was developed for the simultaneous determination of the 24 CSs in sediments using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The sediment sample was ground to homogenize the particle sizes after freeze-drying. The analytes from 2.0 g of the sample were ultrasonicated and extracted with methanol-acetone (1∶1, v/v). After concentrating and diluting each extract, SPE was performed. The water sample was extracted and purified using hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) cartridges, following which the extract was further purified with LC-NH2 cartridges. The extracts were concentrated using a rotary evaporator, dried under a gentle stream of nitrogen, and re-dissolved in methanol for instrumental analysis. Chromatographic separation was conducted on an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C8 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm), with a column flow rate of 0.3 mL/min and a gradient of mobile phases A (water with 0.1% acetic acid) and B (acetonitrile). The column temperature was set to 30 ℃ and the injection volume was fixed at 5 μL. Electrospray ionization MS in the dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) and selected ion monitoring (SIM) modes were performed in the positive mode for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the target compounds. Quantitation of the target compounds was carried out using the internal standard method. The effects of different extraction solvents, purification conditions, and MS conditions on the recoveries of the target compounds were investigated. The limits of detection (LODs) (S/N≥3) and limits of quantification (LOQs) (S/N≥10) of all 24 compounds were in the ranges of 0.14-1.25 μg/kg and 0.26-2.26 μg/kg, respectively. The correlation coefficients of linear calibration curves were higher than 0.995 in the range of 1.0-100 μg/L. The recoveries of the 24 CSs at 5, 20, and 50 μg/kg spiked levels ranged from 64.9% to 125.1% with relative standard deviations of 0.4%-12.6% (n=5). The developed method was applied to analyze the CSs in three sediment samples from the rivers of the Pearl River Delta. In all, 11 target compounds were detected in these samples, with contents in the range of 1.25-29.38 μg/kg. The characteristic of this method is efficient, sensitive, reliable, and suitable for the trace determination of varieties of natural and synthesized CSs in environmental sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongshun ZHOU
- 广州大学环境科学与工程学院, 珠江三角洲水质安全与保护教育部重点实验室, 广东省放射性核素污染控制与资源化重点实验室, 广东 广州 510006
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jian GONG
- 广州大学环境科学与工程学院, 珠江三角洲水质安全与保护教育部重点实验室, 广东省放射性核素污染控制与资源化重点实验室, 广东 广州 510006
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Kexin YANG
- 广州大学环境科学与工程学院, 珠江三角洲水质安全与保护教育部重点实验室, 广东省放射性核素污染控制与资源化重点实验室, 广东 广州 510006
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Canyuan LIN
- 广州大学环境科学与工程学院, 珠江三角洲水质安全与保护教育部重点实验室, 广东省放射性核素污染控制与资源化重点实验室, 广东 广州 510006
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Cuiqin WU
- 广州大学环境科学与工程学院, 珠江三角洲水质安全与保护教育部重点实验室, 广东省放射性核素污染控制与资源化重点实验室, 广东 广州 510006
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuhan ZHANG
- 广州大学环境科学与工程学院, 珠江三角洲水质安全与保护教育部重点实验室, 广东省放射性核素污染控制与资源化重点实验室, 广东 广州 510006
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, Guangzhou 510006, China
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14
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Identification of the EdcR Estrogen-Dependent Repressor in Caenibius tardaugens NBRC 16725: Construction of a Cellular Estradiol Biosensor. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121846. [PMID: 34946795 PMCID: PMC8700777 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, Caenibius tardaugens NBRC 16725 (strain ARI-1) (formerly Novosphingobium tardaugens) was isolated due to its capacity to mineralize estrogenic endocrine disruptors. Its genome encodes the edc genes cluster responsible for the degradation of 17β-estradiol, consisting of two putative operons (OpA and OpB) encoding the enzymes of the upper degradation pathway. Inside the edc cluster, we identified the edcR gene encoding a TetR-like protein. Genetic studies carried out with C. tardaugens mutants demonstrated that EdcR represses the promoters that control the expression of the two operons. These genetic analyses have also shown that 17β-estradiol and estrone, the second intermediate of the degradation pathway, are the true effectors of EdcR. This regulatory system has been heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, foreseeing its use to detect estrogens in environmental samples. Genome comparisons have identified a similar regulatory system in the edc cluster of Altererythrobacter estronivorus MHB5, suggesting that this regulatory arrangement has been horizontally transferred to other bacteria.
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15
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Svigruha R, Fodor I, Padisak J, Pirger Z. Progestogen-induced alterations and their ecological relevance in different embryonic and adult behaviours of an invertebrate model species, the great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:59391-59402. [PMID: 33349911 PMCID: PMC8542004 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12094-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The presence of oral contraceptives (basically applying estrogens and/or progestogens) poses a challenge to animals living in aquatic ecosystems and reflects a rapidly growing concern worldwide. However, there is still a lack in knowledge about the behavioural effects induced by progestogens on the non-target species including molluscs. In the present study, environmental progestogen concentrations were summarised. Knowing this data, we exposed a well-established invertebrate model species, the great pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) to relevant equi-concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 500 ng L-1) of mixtures of four progestogens (progesterone, drospirenone, gestodene, levonorgestrel) for 21 days. Significant alterations were observed in the embryonic development time, heart rate, feeding, and gliding activities of the embryos as well as in the feeding and locomotion activity of the adult specimens. All of the mixtures accelerated the embryonic development time and the gliding activity. Furthermore, the 10, 100, and 500 ng L-1 mixtures increased the heart rate and feeding activity of the embryos. The 10, 100, and 500 ng L-1 mixtures affected the feeding activity as well as the 1, 10, and 100 ng L-1 mixtures influenced the locomotion of the adult specimens. The differences of these adult behaviours showed a biphasic response to the progestogen exposure; however, they changed approximately in the opposite way. In case of feeding activity, this dose-response phenomenon can be identified as a hormesis response. Based on the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the non-reproductive effects of progestogens occurring also in the environment on molluscan species. Our findings contribute to the global understanding of the effects of human progestogens, as these potential disruptors can influence the behavioural activities of non-target aquatic species. Future research should aim to understand the potential mechanisms (e.g., receptors, signal pathways) of progestogens induced behavioural alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reka Svigruha
- Department of Limnology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200, Hungary
- NAP Adaptive Neuroethology Research Group, Department of Experimental Zoology, Balaton Limnological Institute, Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, 8237, Hungary
| | - Istvan Fodor
- NAP Adaptive Neuroethology Research Group, Department of Experimental Zoology, Balaton Limnological Institute, Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, 8237, Hungary
| | - Judit Padisak
- Department of Limnology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Pirger
- NAP Adaptive Neuroethology Research Group, Department of Experimental Zoology, Balaton Limnological Institute, Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, 8237, Hungary.
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16
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Cui X, Shu H, Wang L, Chen G, Han J, Hu Q, Bashir K, Luo Z, Chang C, Zhang J, Fu Q. Methacrylic functionalized hybrid carbon nanomaterial for the selective adsorption and detection of progesterone in wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:62306-62320. [PMID: 34191263 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone, an endocrine-disrupting chemical, has been frequently detected in wastewater for decades, posing a serious threat to ecological and human health. However, it is still a challenge to achieve the effective detection of progesterone in complex matrices water samples. In this study, a novel adsorbent CNT@CS/P(MAA) was prepared by grafting methacrylic polymers on the surface of modified carbon nanomaterials. Compared with other reported materials, the hybrid carbon nanomaterial could selectively identify the progesterone in the complex industrial pharmaceutical wastewater, and its adsorption performance is almost independent of the pH and environmental temperature. In addition, this nanomaterial could be reused with a good recovery rate. The prepared nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption and desorption experiments, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results confirmed that the methacrylic polymers and chitosan layer were successfully grafted on the surface of carbon nanotubes. Adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, and selectivity tests showed that CNT@CS/P(MAA) had a high adsorption capacity (44.45 mg·g-1), a fast adsorption rate and a satisfied selectivity for progesterone. Then, CNT@CS/P(MAA) was used as solid phase extraction sorbent and combined with HPLC to enrich progesterone from the wastewater samples. Under the optimum conditions, a good linearity was obtained with the correlation coefficient was 0.9998, and the limit of detection was 0.003 ng·mL-1. Therefore, this method could be used for the selective and effective detection of progesterone in industrial wastewater with complex substrates and provided a new method for the detection of progesterone in other environmental waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Hua Shu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Guoning Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jili Han
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Qianqian Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Kamran Bashir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zhimin Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Chun Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- Shaanxi Hanjiang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Hanzhong, 723000, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, 518118, China.
- Shaanxi Hanjiang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Hanzhong, 723000, China.
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17
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Musee N, Kebaabetswe LP, Tichapondwa S, Tubatsi G, Mahaye N, Leareng SK, Nomngongo PN. Occurrence, Fate, Effects, and Risks of Dexamethasone: Ecological Implications Post-COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111291. [PMID: 34769808 PMCID: PMC8583091 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has led to the widespread use of therapeutics, including dexamethasone (DEXA). DEXA, a synthetic glucocorticoid, is among the widely administered drugs used to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The global COVID-19 surge in infections, consequent increasing hospitalizations, and other DEXA applications have raised concerns on eminent adverse ecological implications to aquatic ecosystems. Here, we aim to summarize published studies on DEXA occurrence, fate, and effects on organisms in natural and engineered systems as, pre-COVID, the drug has been identified as an emerging environmental contaminant. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of DEXA in wastewater treatment plants, with a small portion, including its transformation products (TPs), being released into downstream waters. Fish and crustaceans are the most susceptible species to DEXA exposure in the parts-per-billion range, suggesting potential deleterious ecological effects. However, there are data deficits on the implications of DEXA to marine and estuarine systems and wildlife. To improve DEXA management, toxicological outcomes of DEXA and formed TPs should entail long-term studies from whole organisms to molecular effects in actual environmental matrices and at realistic exposure concentrations. This can aid in striking a fine balance of saving human lives and protecting ecological integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndeke Musee
- Emerging Contaminants Ecological Risk Assessment (ECERA) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (N.M.); (S.K.L.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Lemme Prica Kebaabetswe
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana; (L.P.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Shepherd Tichapondwa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Water Utilization and Environmental Engineering Division, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa;
| | - Gosaitse Tubatsi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana; (L.P.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Ntombikayise Mahaye
- Emerging Contaminants Ecological Risk Assessment (ECERA) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (N.M.); (S.K.L.)
| | - Samuel Keeng Leareng
- Emerging Contaminants Ecological Risk Assessment (ECERA) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; (N.M.); (S.K.L.)
| | - Philiswa Nosizo Nomngongo
- Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI), Nanotechnology for Water, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa;
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18
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Zhang A, He J, Shen Y, Xu X, Liu Y, Li Y, Wu S, Xue G, Li X, Makinia J. Enhanced degradation of glucocorticoids, a potential COVID-19 remedy, by co-fermentation of waste activated sludge and animal manure: The role of manure type and degradation mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111488. [PMID: 34153334 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111488] [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: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Waste activated sludge (WAS) and animal manure are two significant reservoirs of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the environment. However, GC degradation during anaerobic digestion (AD) of WAS or animal manure has rarely been investigated. In this study, co-fermentation of WAS and animal manure was conducted to investigate the performance of AD in controlling GC dissemination. Effects of manure type on GC degradation and sludge acidification were investigated. The results showed that co-fermentation of WAS and chicken manure (CM) significantly enhanced the degradation of hydrocortisone (HC) to 99%, betamethasone (BT) to 99%, fluocinolone acetonide (FA) to 98%, and clobetasol propionate (CP) to 82% in 5 days with a mixing ratio of 1:1 (g TS sludge/g dw manure) at 55 °C and initial pH of 7. Simultaneously, sludge reduction was increased by 30% and value-added volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was improved by 40%. Even a high GC content of biomass (3.6 mg/g TS) did not impact both sludge hydrolysis and acidification. The amendment of WAS with CM increased soluble organic carbon, Ca2+, and relative abundance of anaerobes (Eubacterium) associated with organic compound degradation. Furthermore, 44 transformation products of HC, BT, FA, and CP with lower lipophilicity and toxicity were identified, indicating possible degradation pathways including hydroxylation, ketonization, ring cleavage, defluorination, hydrogenation, methylation, and de-esterification. Overall, this study provides a practical way to control GC pollution and simultaneously promote waste reduction and VFA production. Animal manure type as an overlooked factor for influencing co-fermentation performance and pollutant degradation was also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jinling He
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yuye Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xianbao Xu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yongmei Li
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Shimin Wu
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Gang Xue
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999, North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Jacek Makinia
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
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Zhong R, Zou H, Gao J, Wang T, Bu Q, Wang ZL, Hu M, Wang Z. A critical review on the distribution and ecological risk assessment of steroid hormones in the environment in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 786:147452. [PMID: 33975111 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
During past two decades, steroid hormones have raised significant public concerns due to their potential adverse effects on the hormonal functions of aquatic organisms and humans. Considering China being a big producer and consumer of steroid hormones, we summarize the current contamination status of steroid hormones in different environmental compartments in China, and preliminarily assess the associated risks to ecological systems. The results show that steroid hormones are ubiquitously present in Chinese surface waters where estrogens are the most studied steroids compared with androgens, progestogens and glucocorticoids. Estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) and estriol (E3) are generally the dominant steroid estrogens in Chinese surface waters, whereas for the other steroids, androsterone (ADR), epi-androsterone (EADR), progesterone (PGT), cortisol (CRL) and cortisone (CRN) have relatively large contributions. Meanwhile, the investigations for the other environmental media such as particles, sediments, soils and groundwater have been limited, as well as for steroid conjugates and metabolites. The median risk quotients of most steroid hormones in surface waters and sediments are lower than 1, indicating low to moderate risks to local organisms. This review provides a full picture of steroid distribution and ecological risks in China, which may be useful for future monitoring and risk assessment. More studies may focus on the analysis of steroid conjugates, metabolites, solid phase fractions, analytical method development and acute/chronic toxicities in different matrices to pursue a more precise and holistic risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyue Zhong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China
| | - Hongyan Zou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China.
| | - Jian Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China
| | - Tao Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Tianjin Normal University, 300387 Tianjin, PR China
| | - Qingwei Bu
- School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing 100083, PR China.
| | - Zhong-Liang Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China.
| | - Meng Hu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, No. 55 Wenhua Street, Jinzhong 030600, China
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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20
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Nippes RP, Macruz PD, da Silva GN, Neves Olsen Scaliante MH. A critical review on environmental presence of pharmaceutical drugs tested for the covid-19 treatment. PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION : TRANSACTIONS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS, PART B 2021; 152:568-582. [PMID: 34226801 PMCID: PMC8243632 DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2021.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The outbreak caused a worldwide impact, becoming a health threat to the general population and its professionals. To date, there are no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines for the COVID-19 infection, however, some drugs are being clinically tested. The use of these drugs on large scale raises great concern about their imminent environmental risk, since the elimination of these compounds by feces and urine associated with the inefficiency of sewage treatment plants in their removal can result in their persistence in the environment, putting in risk the health of humans and of other species. Thus, the goal of this work was to conduct a review of other studies that evaluated the presence of the drugs chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, ivermectin, dexamethasone, remdesivir, favipiravir and some HIV antivirals in the environment. The research indicated the presence of these drugs in the environment in different regions, with concentration data that could serve as a basis for further comparative studies following the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Picoli Nippes
- State University of Maringa, Department of Chemical Engineering, Maringa, 87020-900, Parana, Brazil
| | - Paula Derksen Macruz
- State University of Maringa, Department of Chemical Engineering, Maringa, 87020-900, Parana, Brazil
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21
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Cui H, Chang H, Zheng H, Wan Y. Determination and occurrence of sulfonamide transformation products in surface waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146562. [PMID: 34030252 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The transformation products of sulfonamides (SAs) have raised increasing environmental and health concerns in recent years, but information on their analysis and environmental fates remains limited. In this study, an analytical method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) was optimized to simultaneously analyze 9 SA transformation products and 14 SAs in water samples. This method was applied to investigate the occurrence of antibiotics in three urban rivers in Beijing, and all of the target compounds were detected. N-acetylsulfamethoxazole, N-acetylsulfapyridine, and N-acetylsulfamethazine were found to be the predominant acetyl SAs in the aquatic environment, and high frequencies of hydroxylated SA (5-hydroxysulfapyridine) and glucuronide-conjugated SA (sulfamethoxazole β-D-glucuronide) were also detected. The SA transformation products accounted for 22-32% of the total concentrations of SAs and their transformation products in the water samples. The pollution levels of the compounds exerted only minor effects on the proportions of the SA transformation products. The compound-specific transformation of sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, and sulfadiazine in the water samples was consistent with their acetylation efficiencies in metabolic processes in organisms, which suggests that the SA-acetylated products were derived mainly from biological metabolism in humans or animals. This finding was supported by the fact that environmental degradation exerts a weak effect on SA profiles in the water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyang Cui
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hong Chang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongjin Zheng
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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22
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TiO2-Photocatalyzed Water Depollution, a Strong, yet Selective Depollution Method: New Evidence from the Solar Light Induced Degradation of Glucocorticoids in Freshwaters. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11062486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
The photodegradation of the most prescribed glucocorticoids (GCs) was studied under relevant environmental conditions in the presence of suspended TiO2. The considered drugs included cortisone (CORT), hydrocortisone (HCORT), betamethasone (BETA), dexamethasone (DEXA), prednisone (PRED), prednisolone (PREDLO), and triamcinolone (TRIAM). The experiments were carried out at concentrations (50 µg L−1) close to the real ones in freshwater samples (tap and river) under simulated and natural sunlight, and their decomposition took place very efficiently under natural sunlight. The reactions were monitored by high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). According to a pseudo-first-order decay, all drugs underwent degradation within 15 min, following different paths with respect to the direct photolysis. The observed kinetic constants, slightly lower in river than in tap water, varied from 0.29 to 0.61 min−1 with modest differences among GCs in the same matrix. Among main matrix macro-constituents, humic acids (HAs) were the most interfering species involved in GCs degradation. The photogenerated primary products were identified by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, allowing to elucidate the general photochemical path of GCs. Finally, a comparison with literature data obtained using different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) highlights the treatment efficiency with TiO2/solar light for removing such persistent aquatic contaminants.
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23
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Weizel A, Schlüsener MP, Dierkes G, Wick A, Ternes TA. Fate and behavior of progestogens in activated sludge treatment: Kinetics and transformation products. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 188:116515. [PMID: 33125988 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown the high ecotoxicological potential of progestogens (PGs) on the reproductive system of aquatic organisms. Yet the ubiquitous presence of several PGs in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents indicates an incomplete removal during treatment. To investigate the fate and behavior of PGs during biological wastewater treatment, nine commonly used PGs were incubated in aerobic lab-scale degradation experiments with activated sludge taken from a municipal WWTP. The degradation kinetics revealed a fast removal after 48 h for most of the compounds. Cyproterone acetate and dienogest were the most recalcitrant of the analyzed steroids with half-lives of 8.65 h and 4.55 h, respectively. Thus, only moderate removals of these PGs can be predicted in full-scale WWTPs. Moreover, numerous transformation products (TPs) were detected via high-resolution mass spectrometry. Hydrogenation or dehydrogenation of ring A and non-selective hydroxylations of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives (medroxyprogesterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate, cyproterone acetate) as well as for 19-nortestosterone derivatives (dienogest, norethisterone acetate, etonogestrel) were observed as major transformation reactions. Seven of the identified TPs were confirmed by reference standards. The biodegradation of cyproterone acetate revealed an almost quantitative transformation to 3α‑hydroxy cyproterone acetate which is reported to be genotoxic. In a comparative evaluation of the TPs formed and the steroid structure, it was observed that molecular structure played a role in the inhibition of several transformation reactions, explaining the increased recalcitrance of these compounds. In addition, aromatization of the steroid ring A was identified for the 19-nortestosterone derivatives leading to the formation of estrogen-like TPs. For instance, the degradation of norethisterone acetate led to the formation of 17α-ethinylestradiol, a well-known and very potent synthetic estrogen. The evidence of the conversion of progestogenic to estrogenic compounds and the formation of potentially hazardous TPs indicates the need of a more comprehensive environmental risk assessment for synthetic steroids. Two of the newly identified TPs (3α-hydroxy cyproterone acetate and ∆9,11-dehydro-17α-cyanomethyl estradiol) were detected in WWTP effluents for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Weizel
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Michael P Schlüsener
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Georg Dierkes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Arne Wick
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany.
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24
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González A, Kroll KJ, Silva-Sanchez C, Carriquiriborde P, Fernandino JI, Denslow ND, Somoza GM. Steroid hormones and estrogenic activity in the wastewater outfall and receiving waters of the Chascomús chained shallow lakes system (Argentina). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140401. [PMID: 32653700 PMCID: PMC7492445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Natural and synthetic steroid hormones, excreted by humans and farmed animals, have been considered as important sources of environmental endocrine disruptors. A suite of estrogens, androgens and progestogens was measured in the wastewater treatment plant outfall (WWTPO) of Chascomús city (Buenos Aires province, Argentina), and receiving waters located downstream and upstream from the WWTPO, using solid phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The following natural hormones were measured: 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), testosterone (T), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), progesterone (P), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) and the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Also, in order to complement the analytical method, the estrogenic activity in these surface water samples was evaluated using the in vitro transactivation bioassay that measures the estrogen receptor (ER) activity using mammalian cells. All-natural steroid hormones measured, except 17OHP, were detected in all analyzed water samples. E3, E1, EE2 and DHT were the most abundant and frequently detected. Downstream of the WWTPO, the concentration levels of all compounds decreased reaching low levels at 4500 m from the WWTPO. Upstream, 1500 m from the WWTPO, six out of eight steroid hormones analyzed were detected: DHT, T, P, 17OHP, E3 and E2. Moreover, water samples from the WWTPO and 200 m downstream from it showed estrogenic activity exceeding that of the EC50 of the E2 standard curve. In sum, this work demonstrates the presence of sex steroid hormones and estrogenic activity, as measured by an in vitro assay, in superficial waters of the Pampas region. It also suggests the possibility of an unidentified source upstream of the wastewater outfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anelisa González
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kevin J Kroll
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cecilia Silva-Sanchez
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Pedro Carriquiriborde
- Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambiente (UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan I Fernandino
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Gustavo M Somoza
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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25
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Gouveia TIA, Silva AMT, Ribeiro AR, Alves A, Santos MSF. Liquid-liquid extraction as a simple tool to quickly quantify fourteen cytostatics in urban wastewaters and access their impact in aquatic biota. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:139995. [PMID: 32559532 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cytostatics are highly toxic pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of cancer. These substances are partially excreted by the human body after administration. The inefficient removal of some cytostatics in urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) allows them to reach surface waters and consequently the aquatic biota. However, information about their occurrence in urban wastewaters is available only for certain active ingredients. A liquid-liquid extraction method coupled to liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was developed, allowing the identification and quantification of 14 cytostatics in wastewater samples, avoiding the use of expensive sorbents. Moreover, satisfactory cytostatics' recoveries were achieved when the new method was applied to wastewaters from a Portuguese WWTP: average of (74 ± 21)% for the influents, (83 ± 22)% for secondary effluents, and (94 ± 24)% for tertiary effluents collected after UV treatment, except for imatinib. Doxorubicin, etoposide, megestrol and prednisone were completely eliminated in the first stage of the WWTP treatment (i.e. detected in the influents, but not in the effluents). Bicalutamide, capecitabine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and mycophenolic acid were recalcitrant to UV radiation (i.e. detected in tertiary effluents), ifosfamide being the cytostatic most difficult to be removed (its concentration did not decrease from the entrance to the outlet of the WWTP). The risk at which aquatic organisms might be subjected, due to their exposure to cytostatics' concentrations 10-times lower than those found in the tertiary effluents, was estimated and it was verified that mycophenolic acid may represent a high risk. Although no risk was estimated for the other cytostatics, the risks associated to long-term and synergic exposure should not be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa I A Gouveia
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environmental, Biotechnology and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Adrián M T Silva
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Arminda Alves
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environmental, Biotechnology and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica S F Santos
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environmental, Biotechnology and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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26
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Chiang Y, Wei ST, Wang P, Wu P, Yu C. Microbial degradation of steroid sex hormones: implications for environmental and ecological studies. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:926-949. [PMID: 31668018 PMCID: PMC7264893 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormones modulate development, reproduction and communication in eukaryotes. The widespread occurrence and persistence of steroid hormones have attracted public attention due to their endocrine-disrupting effects on both wildlife and human beings. Bacteria are responsible for mineralizing steroids from the biosphere. Aerobic degradation of steroid hormones relies on O2 as a co-substrate of oxygenases to activate and to cleave the recalcitrant steroidal core ring. To date, two oxygen-dependent degradation pathways - the 9,10-seco pathway for androgens and the 4,5-seco pathways for oestrogens - have been characterized. Under anaerobic conditions, denitrifying bacteria adopt the 2,3-seco pathway to degrade different steroid structures. Recent meta-omics revealed that microorganisms able to degrade steroids are highly diverse and ubiquitous in different ecosystems. This review also summarizes culture-independent approaches using the characteristic metabolites and catabolic genes to monitor steroid biodegradation in various ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin‐Ru Chiang
- Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei115Taiwan
| | | | - Po‐Hsiang Wang
- Biodiversity Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei115Taiwan
- Present address:
Earth‐Life Science InstituteTokyo Institute of TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Pei‐Hsun Wu
- Graduate Institute of Environmental EngineeringNational Taiwan UniversityTaipei106Taiwan
| | - Chang‐Ping Yu
- Graduate Institute of Environmental EngineeringNational Taiwan UniversityTaipei106Taiwan
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27
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Environmental Remediation of Antineoplastic Drugs: Present Status, Challenges, and Future Directions. Processes (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/pr8070747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The global burden of cancer is on the rise, and as a result, the number of therapeutics administered for chemotherapy is increasing. The occupational exposure, recalcitrant nature and ecotoxicological toxicity of these therapeutics, referred to as antineoplastic (ANP) drugs, have raised concerns about their safe remediation. This review provides an overview of the environmental source of ANPs agents, with emphasis on the currently used remediation approaches. Outpatient excreta, hospital effluents, and waste from pharmaceutical industries are the primary source of ANP waste. The current review describes various biotic and abiotic methods used in the remediation of ANP drugs in the environment. Abiotic methods often generate transformation products (TPs) of unknown toxicity. In this light, obtaining data on the environmental toxicity of ANPs and its TPs is crucial to determine their toxic effect on the ecosystem. We also discuss the biodegradation of ANP drugs using monoculture of fungal and bacterial species, and microbial consortia in sewage treatment plants. The current review effort further explores a safe and sustainable approach for ANP waste treatment to replace existing chemical and oxidation intensive treatment approaches. To conclude, we assess the possibility of integrating biotic and abiotic methods of ANP drug degradation.
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28
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Vassalle L, García-Galán MJ, Aquino SF, Afonso RJDCF, Ferrer I, Passos F, R Mota C. Can high rate algal ponds be used as post-treatment of UASB reactors to remove micropollutants? CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 248:125969. [PMID: 32041061 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the removal capacity of a UASB-HRAP treatment system, combining anaerobic and microalgae-based, aerobic treatment, for eleven organic micropollutants present in raw sewage, including pharmaceuticals, estrogens and xenoestrogens. The UASB reactor and the HRAP were operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 7 h and 8 days, respectively. Influent and effluent samples from the UASB and HRAP were collected periodically. All the target compounds were detected in raw sewage, with an occurrence ranging from 70 to 100%. Removal rates in the UASB reactor were generally incomplete, ranging from no removal (-25.12% for the hormone EE2-ethinylestradiol) to 84.91% (E2 - estradiol). However, the overall performance of the UASB + HRAP system was highly efficient for the majority of the compounds, with removal rates ranging from 64.8% (ibuprofen) to 95% (estrone). Gemfibrozil and bisphenol A were the only exceptions, with overall removal rates of 39% and 43%, respectively. Hormones were the compounds with the highest removal rates in the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Vassalle
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - María Jesús García-Galán
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sérgio F Aquino
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, c/Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabiana Passos
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cesar R Mota
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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29
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Weizel A, Schlüsener MP, Dierkes G, Wick A, Ternes TA. Analysis of the aerobic biodegradation of glucocorticoids: Elucidation of the kinetics and transformation reactions. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 174:115561. [PMID: 32087415 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most prescribed pharmaceutical classes worldwide. They have reached the focus as environmental pollutants in the current scientific research, due to their potential risks to aquatic organisms even in the lower ng L-1 range. The objective of this study was to determine the kinetic behavior of selected GCs and to identify their main transformation products (TPs) in lab scaled biodegradation experiments. Therefore, we analyzed the removal of 13 GCs in aerated incubation experiments with activated sludge taken from a German municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as inoculum. For all steroids, an exponential decrease of the concentrations was observed, which was modelled by pseudo-first order kinetics. Overall, the rate constants kbiol. ranged from 0.07 L gss-1 d-1 (triamcinolone acetonide) to 250 L gss-1 d-1 (prednisolone). These results emphasize the broad variation in the biodegradability and recalcitrance of certain GCs. The selection of the studied GCs enabled a deduction of microbiological stability related to functional groups. Based on the identified TPs, a variety of enzymatically mediated reactions were postulated. Moreover, the identified TPs are characterized by an intact steroid core structure. Thus residual endocrine activity cannot be ruled out. The main observed reactions were regioselective hydrogenation of carbon double-bonds, degradation of the steroid C17 side-chain, ester hydrolysis and oxidative hydroxylation. In total, 41 TPs were tentatively identified and 22 of them were unambiguously confirmed via reference standards. Additionally, 12 TPs were detected in the effluents of municipal WWTPs and, to the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of eight of these TPs has been shown for the first time. These TPs might significantly contribute to the detected residual endocrine activities in the aquatic environments. Therefore, there is a strong need for efficient removal strategies, in particular for persistent steroid hormones with elevated potencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Weizel
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Michael P Schlüsener
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Georg Dierkes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Arne Wick
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Thomas A Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology, Department of Aquatic Chemistry, 56068, Koblenz, Germany.
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30
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Abstract
Steroid hormones in the environment have obtained considerable attention, as they can be harmful to aquatic organisms at very low concentrations. An analytical method was developed for simultaneously monitoring four estrogens, seven androgens, seven progestogens, and eleven glucocorticoids in a single water sample using liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Laboratory studies were then performed to investigate the aerobic biodegradation of 29 steroids belonging to the four groups. The degradation of target steroids followed first-order reaction kinetics, and the degradation half-life (t1/2) of estrogens, androgens, progestogens and glucocorticoids was 1.2–8.7 h, 0.3–1.3 h, 1.4–7.7 h, and 1.4–23.1 h, respectively. Most of the esterified glucocorticoids were more persistent than the parent compounds, but the t1/2 for halogenated glucocorticoids was longer than that of their esterified compounds. In addition, C-21 ester glucocorticoids were more prone to decomposition than C-17 esters. Hydrolysis did not significantly affect the decomposition of esterified steroids.
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Lin C, Gong J, Zhou Y, Chen D, Chen Y, Yang J, Li Q, Wu C, Tang H. Spatiotemporal distribution, source apportionment, and ecological risk of corticosteroids in the urbanized river system of Guangzhou, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 706:135693. [PMID: 31791762 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the occurrence and distribution of 24 selected corticosteroids (CSs) in the surface water of the Zhujiang River (ZR) system in Guangzhou, a highly urbanized river system receiving both treated and untreated municipal wastewater effluents. Twenty-two and sixteen CSs were detected in the tributaries and the main stream of the ZR system, and their concentrations ranged from less than the method quantification limit (fluticasone propionate) to 94 ng/L (clobetasone butyrate) and from 0.24 ng/L (cortisol) to 7.2 ng/L (clobetasone butyrate), respectively. We observed higher total CSs (∑CSs) concentrations in the tributaries (11-396 ng/L) relative to the main stream (5.5-33 ng/L) due to their proximity to densely populated residential areas. ∑CSs concentrations in the dry season were generally higher than those in the wet season due to low dilution from decreased river discharge. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis identified untreated domestic sewage to be the dominant source of CSs (t2, contribution rate: 42.7%) in the urban rivers. Additional source contributions were from naturally attenuated treated and/or raw sewage (t1, 21.5%) and effluents from wastewater treatment plants (t3, 26.7%). CSs contribution was dominated by t2 in the dry season, and the contributions from t1, t2, and t3 showed no significant difference in the wet season. Risk assessment inferred that the ZR system is at medium to high ecological risk from CSs and is therefore a potential threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems. To prevent CSs pollution, our results demonstrate the need to develop effective control strategies to minimize the discharge of untreated waste to nearby rivers and to improve the capacity of wastewater treatment plants in Guangzhou. Further, we demonstrate that the concentrations of cortisone and fludrocortisone acetate are effective chemical indicators to estimate the level of natural and synthetic CSs contamination in urban rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canyuan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jian Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yongshun Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Institute of Environmental Remediation and Human Health, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China.
| | - Qiang Li
- School of life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Cuiqin Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hongmei Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Goh SXL, Chong BHD, Lee HK. Fully Automated Water Sampling—Surfactant-Enhanced Membrane Bag Liquid-Phase Microextraction—Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2020; 92:5362-5369. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shalene Xue Lin Goh
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Benson He Da Chong
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Hian Kee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building #02-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore
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Willi RA, Castiglioni S, Salgueiro-González N, Furia N, Mastroianni S, Faltermann S, Fent K. Physiological and Transcriptional Effects of Mixtures of Environmental Estrogens, Androgens, Progestins, and Glucocorticoids in Zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1092-1101. [PMID: 31829580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fishes are exposed to mixtures of different classes of steroids, but ecotoxicological implications are not sufficiently known. Here, we systematically analyze effects of different combinations of steroid mixtures in zebrafish embryos to assess their joint activities on physiology and transcriptional alterations of steroid-specific target genes at 96 and 120 h post fertilization. In binary mixtures of clobetasol propionate (CLO) with estradiol (E2) or androstenedione (A4), each steroid exhibited its own expression profile. This was also the case in mixtures of 5-, 8-, and 13-different classes of steroids in exposure concentrations of 10-10,000 ng/L. The transcriptional expression of most genes in different mixtures was steroid-specific except for genes encoding aromatase (cyp19b), sulfotransferase (sult2st3), and cyp2k22 that were induced by androgens, progestins, and glucocorticoids. Marked alterations occurred for sult2st3 in binary mixtures of CLO + E2 and CLO + A4. Glucocorticoids increased the heart rate and muscle contractions. In mixtures containing estrogens, induction of the cyp19b transcript occurred at 10 ng/L and protc from the anticoagulation system at 100 ng/L. Our study demonstrates that steroids can act independently in mixtures; the sum of individual steroid profiles is expressed. However, some genes, including cyp19b, sult2st3, and cyp2k22, are regulated by several steroids. This joint effect on different pathways may be of concern for fish development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffael Alois Willi
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Hofackerstrasse 30 , CH-4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
| | - Sara Castiglioni
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences , Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, IRCCS , Via Mario Negri 2 , 20156 Milan , Italy
| | - Noelia Salgueiro-González
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences , Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, IRCCS , Via Mario Negri 2 , 20156 Milan , Italy
| | - Nathan Furia
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Hofackerstrasse 30 , CH-4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
| | - Sarah Mastroianni
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Hofackerstrasse 30 , CH-4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
| | - Susanne Faltermann
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Hofackerstrasse 30 , CH-4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
| | - Karl Fent
- School of Life Sciences , University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland , Hofackerstrasse 30 , CH-4132 Muttenz , Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science , Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich), Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollution Dynamics , CH-8092 Zürich , Switzerland
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Liu SS, Chen J, Zhang JN, Liu YS, Hu LX, Chen XW, Liu S, Xu XR, Ying GG. Microbial transformation of progesterone and dydrogesterone by bacteria from swine wastewater: Degradation kinetics and products identification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 701:134930. [PMID: 31726410 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural and synthetic progestogens in livestock environments have become a concern due to the frequent presence and potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Here we investigated the biotransformation of progestogens by wastewater-borne bacteria in the field and laboratory under oxic and anoxic conditions. The results showed that all progestogens dissipated faster under oxic conditions than under anoxic conditions, and natural progesterone transformed faster than synthetic progestogens. Meanwhile, dozens of bacterial strains capable of degrading progestogens were successfully isolated from the swine wastewater, and Bacillus sp. P19 and Bacillus sp. DGT2 were found the best for progesterone and dydrogesterone transformation, respectively. In the degradation experiments using a single bacterial strain, progesterone and dydrogesterone dissipated under oxic conditions with half-lives of 11.6 h and 18.2 h, respectively. The transformation pathways were proposed based on the identified transformation products. The findings from this study showed that progestogens can be biotransformed, but not fully mineralized in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang-Shuang Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, CAS Centre for Pearl River Delta Environmental Pollution and Control Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jun Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jin-Na Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, CAS Centre for Pearl River Delta Environmental Pollution and Control Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - You-Sheng Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, CAS Centre for Pearl River Delta Environmental Pollution and Control Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Shan Liu
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiang-Rong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Theoretical Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, CAS Centre for Pearl River Delta Environmental Pollution and Control Research, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Shen X, Chang H, Sun Y, Wan Y. Determination and occurrence of natural and synthetic glucocorticoids in surface waters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 134:105278. [PMID: 33387883 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been increasingly reported to have adverse effects on aquatic organisms, but the lack of comprehensive analytical methods for a broad number of GCs has limited the effective management of pollution by these molecules in surface and coastal waters. In this study, we developed an original analytical method for simultaneously monitoring 25 natural GCs, and 43 synthetic GCs (4 hydrocortisone types, 6 acetonide types, 8 betamethasone types, 14 halogenated esters, and 11 labile prodrug esters) in water samples. Of the river samples investigated, 15 natural and 25 synthetic compounds were detected with the concentrations ranging from 0.13 ng/L (11-epitetrahydrocortisol) to 433 ng/L (cortisone) and from 0.05 (clobetasol) to 94 ng/L (prednisolone), respectively. Thirteen natural metabolites of cortisol (CRL) were first detected, and their concentrations were up to 36 times higher than that of CRL. Hydrocortisone-type GCs were the dominant synthetic compounds (≤154 ng/L), followed by halogenated esters (≤81 ng/L), acetonide type GCs (≤57 ng/L), betamethasone type GCs (≤32 ng/L), and labile prodrug esters (≤22 ng/L). Considering the relative potencies for detected GCs compared to dexamethasone, halogenated esters predominantly contributed to the GC activities in the samples. Notably, this is the first report of the halogenated esters 11-oxo fluticasone propionate (OFP) and cloticasone propionate (CTP) in environmental waters. Untreated wastewater is the main source of GCs in the studied waters, and the concentration ratios between natural and synthetic GCs can be used as potential indicators of sewage input. Because of the high detected concentrations and bioactivity potency of halogenated GCs, they are the main contributors to GC activities in the studied waters, and deserved more study in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Shen
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong Chang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yu Sun
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yi Wan
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Wang H, Chang H, Zhang C, Wu F. Occurrence and mass balance of medium- and long-chain chlorinated paraffins in a municipal sewage treatment plant: Comparison to short-chain compounds. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 133:105273. [PMID: 31675557 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Short-, medium-, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs) are persistent in sediment and bioaccumulative in organisms in the coastal regions, and sewage treatment plants (STPs) play a crucial role in the control of emissions and risks of CPs in the aquatic environment. In this study, the occurrences of the three CP groups were simultaneously studied in a typical STP with anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic bioreactors as the core treatment units. MCCPs were the predominant CPs in wastewater samples tested, and SCCPs and LCCPs were in the similar concentrations. Proportions of LCCPs in solid samples increased steadily from 26% in influent to 53% in effluent, those of MCCPs decreased from 55% to 39%, while no obvious variations in the proportions (5.5-24%) of SCCPs were observed compared to the aqueous phase. The overall removal efficiencies were 93-97% for SCCPs, 75-89% for MCCPs, and 84-97% for LCCPs. A total of 50-67%, 25-64% and 55-92% of the initial mass loadings of SCCPs, MCCPs and LCCPs, respectively, were found in the dehydrated sludge, and 2.8-26% of the three CP groups were found in effluent. The removal pathway of three groups of CPs is dominated by sorption in the STP, especially for the longer chained and highly chlorinated CPs. Effluent discharge of STP is also an important source of CPs in the aqueous environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongping Wang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong Chang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Cunxu Zhang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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He X, Huang H, Tang Y, Guo L. Kinetics and mechanistic study on degradation of prednisone acetate by ozone. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2019; 55:292-304. [PMID: 31769340 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2019.1688020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Prednisone acetate (PNSA) is one of the regular glucocorticoid medicines that have been detected in surface water. In this work, the removal of PNSA by ozone was systematically studied under various conditions, and degradation intermediates and reaction pathways were proposed. The results showed that aqueous ozonation was able to remove PNSA effectively, and low pH favored this reaction. The addition of tertiary butanol did not inhibit the oxidation of PNSA by ozone, suggesting that the degradation was caused mainly by the direct oxidation effect of ozone molecules. Moreover, the presence of carboxylated or hydroxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes can enhance the removal efficiency of PNSA by ozone. Under neutral and acidic conditions, the degradation of PNSA followed pseudo-first-order reaction. Seven intermediates were detected via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the degradation pathways were then proposed by considering the relative charge density of the frontier orbitals calculated with the Gaussian program. The electrophilic reaction and the Criegee mechanism were the primary reaction mechanisms in the degradation of PNSA by ozone. Formic acid, acetic acid, and oxalic acid were detected as the final reaction products via ion chromatography. Additionally, the aquatic toxicity of the ozonation products was predicted using ECOSAR method. The biodegradation potentials of the pollutant and the ozonation products were estimated using BIOWINTM, suggesting that O3 treatment could significantly enhance the biodegradable potentials of PNSA and its transformation intermediates in the biological post-treatment process. This work can provide useful information for the treatment of PNSA-containing wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuling He
- Department of Environmental Science, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangdong Foshan, P.R. China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Environmental Science, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangdong Foshan, P.R. China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Environmental Science, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangdong Foshan, P.R. China
| | - Lulu Guo
- Department of Environmental Science, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangdong Foshan, P.R. China
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Shen X, Chang H, Shao B, Sun F, Wu F. Occurrence and mass balance of sixty-two progestins in a municipal sewage treatment plant. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 165:114991. [PMID: 31442757 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.114991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Progestins (PGs) are a group of steroid hormones known to have endocrine-disrupting effects. These compounds can enter the aquatic environment via the discharge of treated or untreated wastewater and the disposal of sludge from sewage treatment plants (STPs); thus, their removal in STPs are of great importance. The present study simultaneously investigated the occurrences and fates of 62 PGs in a municipal STP in Beijing, China. Progesterone (P) and its metabolites were found to be the predominant compounds, with total dissolved concentrations of 1866 ng/L in the influent. About 11 P metabolites were newly detected, accounting for 25-55% and 75-91% of the total concentrations in wastewater and sludge, respectively. For the other three groups of PGs derived from different parent compounds, P derivatives were first detected in the STP with the highest concentration in the wastewater and sludge, followed by 19-nortestosterone (NT) derivatives and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP) derivatives. The removal efficiencies in the dissolved phase of wastewater were relatively high for P and its metabolites (95-99%) and P derivatives (91-99%). And the relative persistence of NT (68-99%) and 17α-OHP derivatives (79-99%) was observed during the wastewater treatment processes. Mass balance analysis showed that the lost mass proportions were as high as 41-99%, the mass fractions in sludge were in the range of 0-55%, and 0.24-25% of the initial mass loadings was present in the effluent. These results indicated that biodegradation was the major removal mechanism of PGs in the STP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Shen
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hong Chang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Bing Shao
- Beijing Key Lab Diagnostic and Traceability Technologies for Food Poisoning, Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, Beijing, 100013, China
| | - Fuhong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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Testosterone Degradative Pathway of Novosphingobium tardaugens. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110871. [PMID: 31683600 PMCID: PMC6895838 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, we have shown that Novosphingobium tardaugens NBRC 16725 (strain ARI-1), a bacterial strain that was isolated due to its capacity to mineralize the estrogenic endocrine compound 17β-estradiol, is also able to mineralize testosterone, the androgenic endocrine compound. Using in silico analysis, we predicted a new putative steroid degradation (SD) gene cluster in strain ARI-1, which resembles genes involved in testosterone degradation in Comamonas testosteroni and other testosterone degrading bacteria like Actinobacteria (like Rhodococcus and Mycobacteria genera) although with significant differences in gene organization. A whole transcriptomic analysis of N. tardaugens revealed that testosterone produces a limited induction of the genes of the SD cluster that show a high basal expression in its absence. The 3β/17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase involved in the first metabolic step of testosterone degradation was identified by using genetic and biochemical approaches. The construction of knockout mutant strains in the genes of the SD cluster together with in silico analyses suggests the existence of gene redundancy in the genome of N. tardaugens. This work will expand the knowledge about the metabolic pathways and biotransformation capabilities of a Gram-negative bacterium that could become a new model system in the bacterial steroid degradation field.
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Gong J, Lin C, Xiong X, Chen D, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Wu C, Du Y. Occurrence, distribution, and potential risks of environmental corticosteroids in surface waters from the Pearl River Delta, South China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 251:102-109. [PMID: 31071626 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, and potential risks of 21 glucocorticoids (GCs) and 3 mineralocorticoids (MCs) in four rivers were studied by investigating the surface waters from the Pearl River Delta (PRD), South China. These environmental corticosteroids (ECs) were commonly present in the river surface waters with average concentrations varying from <0.17 ng/L for fluticasone propionate to 5.6 ng/L for clobetasone butyrate; and cortisone had the highest concentration, 32.9 ng/L. The total ECs ranged in concentration from undetectable to 83.3 ng/L, with a mean and median of 8.1 ng/L and 4.8 ng/L, respectively. Spatially the total EC concentration levels in the Pearl River system occurred in the following order: Zhujiang River (ZR) > Dongjiang River (DR) > Shiziyang waterway (SW) > Beijiang River (BR). These levels generally demonstrated a trend of increasing from upstream to midstream or downstream then attenuating toward the estuary. Considerable seasonal variations in the ECs differed among rivers. Higher ECs concentrations in winter were mostly found in the ZR, whereas lower levels were found in the DR. Moreover, the temporal variations of the ECs were marginal in the BR and SW. These spatiotemporal distributions of the ECs might have been simultaneously influenced by pollution sources derived from anthropogenic activities and river hydrologic conditions. Correlation analyses indicated that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) could play a key role in the occurrence and distribution of ECs in an aquatic environment. Risk assessment demonstrated that the occurrence of ECs might have posed medium to high risk to aquatic organisms in the Pearl River.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Canyuan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaoping Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Diyun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongshun Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Cuiqin Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yongming Du
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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Yu Q, Geng J, Zong X, Zhang Y, Xu K, Hu H, Deng Y, Zhao F, Ren H. Occurrence and removal of progestagens in municipal wastewater treatment plants from different regions in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 668:1191-1199. [PMID: 31018459 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Progestagens discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have increasingly gained attention due to their potential risks to the aquatic organisms. However, limited information is available on the occurrence and removal of various progestagens in WWTPs in different cities of China. This work investigated the occurrence and removal of 11 progestagens in 21 WWTPs from 19 Chinese cities. Results showed that progestagens are widely distributed in the investigated WWTPs, with higher influent concentrations of total progestagens in northern WWTPs. The concentration of progestagens in WWTP influent were closely correlated with influent quality, service population and daily service volume of the WWTPs. Additionally, progesterone (PGT) and dydrogesterone (DDT) were two predominant progestagens in influent, effluent and excess sludge. Up to 5 of 11 progestagens showed high aqueous removal efficiencies (median removal efficiency >90%), whereas megestrol acetate (MTA), chlormadinone acetate (CMA), drospirenone (DSP) and levonorgestrel (LNG) had a removal efficiency of below 50%. Specially, the behaviors of progestagens along the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic of a WWTP were further explored and the aerobic tank is the main contributor to the removal of progestagens. Finally, in the effluent of these 21 WWTPs, daily mass loadings of the total progestagens ranged from 0.51 to 10.4 g d-1. Notably, LNG exhibited high potential risk to the fish base on risk quotient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingmiao Yu
- 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
| | - Xueying Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Haidong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yongfeng Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Fuzheng Zhao
- 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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Analysis of Environmental Protection Agency priority endocrine disruptor hormones and bisphenol A in tap, surface and wastewater by online concentration liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1591:87-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Metabolites Involved in Aerobic Degradation of the A and B Rings of Estrogen. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.02223-18. [PMID: 30446556 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02223-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Various bacteria, mainly actinobacteria and proteobacteria, are capable of aerobic estrogen degradation. In a previous study, we used the obligate aerobic alphaproteobacterium Sphingomonas sp. strain KC8 as a model microorganism to identify the initial metabolites involved in the oxygenolytic cleavage of the estrogen A ring: 4-hydroxyestrone, a meta-cleavage product, and a dead-end product pyridinestrone acid. In this study, we identified the downstream metabolites of this aerobic degradation pathway using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). 4-Norestrogen-5(10)-en-3-oyl-coenzyme A and its closely related deconjugated (non-coenzyme A [non-CoA]) structure, 4-norestrogenic acid, were detected in the estrone-grown strain KC8 cultures. The structure of 4-norestrogenic acid was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The extracellular distribution and the accumulation of 4-norestrogenic acid in the bacterial cultures indicate that the estrogen-degrading bacteria cannot degrade this deconjugated product. We also observed temporal accumulation and subsequent consumption of a common steroid metabolite, 3aα-H-4α(3'-propanoate)-7aβ-methylhexahydro-1,5-indanedione (HIP), in the bacterial cultures. The metabolite profile and genomic analyses shed light on the biochemical mechanisms involved in the degradation of the A and B rings of natural estrogens. In this proposed aerobic pathway, C-4 of the meta-cleavage product is removed by a 2-oxoacid oxidoreductase through oxidative decarboxylation to produce the 4-norestrogen-5(10)-en-3-oyl-CoA. Subsequently, the B ring is cleaved by hydrolysis. The resulting A/B-ring-cleaved product is transformed into a common steroid metabolite HIP through β-oxidation reactions. Accordingly, the A and B rings of different steroids are degraded through at least three peripheral pathways, which converge at HIP, and HIP is then degraded through a common central pathway.IMPORTANCE Estrogens, often detected in surface waters worldwide, have been classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens. Bacterial degradation is crucial for removing natural estrogens from natural and engineered ecosystems; however, current knowledge regarding the biochemical mechanisms and catabolic enzymes involved in estrogen biodegradation is very limited. Our estrogen metabolite profile and genomic analyses on estrone-degrading bacteria enabled us to characterize the aerobic estrogen degradation pathway. The results greatly expand our understanding of microbial steroid degradation. In addition, the characteristic metabolites, dead-end products, and degradation genes can be used as biomarkers to investigate the fate and biodegradation potential of estrogens in the environment.
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Luo Z, Tu Y, Li H, Qiu B, Liu Y, Yang Z. Endocrine-disrupting compounds in the Xiangjiang River of China: Spatio-temporal distribution, source apportionment, and risk assessment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 167:476-484. [PMID: 30368141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) were seasonally investigated in the surface water of the Xiangjiang River (south China) in order to understand their spatio-temporal distribution, source apportionment, and ecological risks. The occurrence of 21 EDCs were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the water samples collected along the river over four seasons, and the results were statistically analyzed. The concentrations of progestagens, androgens, estrogens ranged from not detected (ND) to 98.3 ng L-1; while the concentrations of alkylphenols ranged from 0.8 to 3.1 × 103 ng L-1; and that of caffeine ranged from 0.1 to 49.8 ng L-1. The detection frequencies of bisphenol A, 4-tert-octylphenol, 4-n-nonylphenol, estrone, and 17β-estradiol were 95-100% during the four sampling campaigns. The seasonal and spatial variation trend of EDCs in the Xiangjiang River was noticeable. The concentration of EDCs in Yueyang section (downstream) was the highest in winter, while the concentration in Yongzhou (upstream) section was the lowest in spring. The concentration of EDCs in the Xiangjiang River was significantly correlated with the levels of the total organic carbon, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Source analysis indicated that untreated sewage was the major source of EDCs. Furthermore, the potential risks of EDCs in the surface water to aquatic organisms were assessed with the risk quotient method (European Commission, 2003), and the results indicated the highest ecological risk of 17β-estradiol in the Xiangjiang River.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhoufei Luo
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China.
| | - Yi Tu
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China.
| | - Haipu Li
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China.
| | - Bo Qiu
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China.
| | - Zhaoguang Yang
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China.
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Trace analysis of corticosteroids (CSs) in environmental waters by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Talanta 2018; 195:830-840. [PMID: 30625625 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.11.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural and synthetic corticosteroids (CSs) are a class of steroid hormones which could potentially disturb the corticosteroid signaling pathways in wildlife and humans. In this study, a sensitive and robust analytical method using solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous analysis of sub-ng/L concentrations of 26 CSs in highly complex natural water matrices. The method performance was validated for WWTP influent, effluent, surface water and finished drinking water. Low practical quantification levels (PQLs) were achieved as 0.008-0.16 ng/L in finished drinking water, 0.019-0.50 ng/L in surface water, 0.047-1.5 ng/L in WWTP effluent, and 0.10-3.1 ng/L in WWTP influent, respectively, with the recoveries ranging from 70% to 130%. The cleanup performance and matrix interferences were also evaluated. This method was then applied to the analysis of target CSs in WWTP influent and effluent samples collected from a local WWTP, as well as surface water downstream of the WWTP outfall, detecting an average summed CS concentration of 744 ng/L in influent, 23.4 ng/L in effluent and 10.9 ng/L in surface water. Four synthetic CSs (triamcinolone acetonide, fluocinolone acetonide, clobetasol propionate, and fluticasone propionate) were found poorly removed in the WWTP. The developed method provides a tool to obtain occurrence data of corticosteroids in environmental waters, which will permit assessing their risk to environmental organisms.
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46
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A review on structural elucidation of metabolites of environmental steroid hormones via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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47
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Goh SXL, Goh HA, Lee HK. Automation of ionic liquid enhanced membrane bag-assisted-liquid-phase microextraction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of glucocorticoids in water. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1035:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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48
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Hua J, Han J, Guo Y, Zhou B. Endocrine disruption in Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) after long-term exposure to low environmental concentrations of progestin megestrol acetate. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 163:289-297. [PMID: 30056343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic progestins are widely used pharmaceutical agents that have become common contaminants in the aquatic environment. The potential adverse effects of long-term exposure on aquatic wildlife, however, are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the endocrine disruption in Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) in response to megestrol acetate (MTA) exposure. Newly-hatched Chinese rare minnow larvae were exposed to MTA at a nominal concentration of either 1 ng/L (detected concentrations ranged from 0.18 to 0.93 ng/L) or 10 ng/L (detected concentrations ranged from 4.27 to 9.64 ng/L) for 6 months and the effects on growth, sex steroid hormones, gonadal histology, and steroidogenic genes expression were determined. After 6 months of exposure to a nominal concentration of 10 ng/L MTA, the body weight and condition factors were significantly increased in fish of both sexes. Exposure to a nominal concentration of 10 ng/L MTA significantly reduced plasma concentrations of estradiol and 11-ketotestosterone in female fish while also reducing testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone in male fish. Gonad histology revealed significantly reduced proportions of vitellogenic oocytes in female fish exposed to a nominal concentration of 10 ng/L MTA and induction of atretic follicles in female fish exposed to both nominal concentrations of MTA. The expression of cyp19a1a and cyp17a1 in the gonads was up-regulated in the ovaries while down-regulated in the testes. Our results indicate that MTA can induce endocrine disruption in Chinese rare minnow at the low concentrations found in contaminated environments. This indicates a potentially high ecological risk from MTA to fish populations in MTA-contaminated aquatic environments in China and may also in other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghuan Hua
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jian Han
- Biology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250103, China
| | - Yongyong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bingsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Šauer P, Bořík A, Golovko O, Grabic R, Staňová AV, Valentová O, Stará A, Šandová M, Kocour Kroupová H. Do progestins contribute to (anti-)androgenic activities in aquatic environments? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 242:417-425. [PMID: 29990947 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Unknown compounds with (anti-)androgenic activities enter the aquatic environment via municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Progestins are well-known environmental contaminants capable of interfering with androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. The aim of the present study was to determine if 15 selected progestins have potential to contribute to (anti-)androgenic activities in municipal wastewaters and the respective recipient surface waters. AR-specific Chemically Activated LUciferase gene eXpression bioassay in agonistic (AR-CALUX) and antagonistic (anti-AR-CALUX) modes and liquid chromatography tandem atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/atmospheric photoionization with hybrid quadrupole/orbital trap mass spectrometry operated in high resolution product scan mode (LC-APCI/APPI-HRPS) methods were used to assess (anti-)androgenic activity and to detect the target compounds, respectively. The contribution of progestins to (anti-)androgenic activities was evaluated by means of a biologically and chemically derived toxicity equivalent approach. Androgenic (0.08-59 ng/L dihydrotestosterone equivalents - DHT EQs) and anti-androgenic (2.4-26 μg/L flutamide equivalents - FLU EQs) activities and progestins (0.19-75 ng/L) were detected in selected aquatic environments. Progestins displayed androgenic potencies (0.01-0.22 fold of dihydrotestosterone) and strong anti-androgenic potencies (9-62 fold of flutamide). Although they accounted to some extent for androgenic (0.3-29%) and anti-androgenic (4.6-27%) activities in influents, the progestins' contribution to (anti-)androgenic activities was negligible (≤2.1%) in effluents and surface waters. We also tested joint effect of equimolar mixtures of target compounds and the results indicate that compounds interact in an additive manner. Even if progestins possess relatively strong (anti-)androgenic activities, when considering their low concentrations (sub-ng/L to ng/L) it seems unlikely that they would be the drivers of (anti-)androgenic effects in Czech 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, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech 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, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Oksana Golovko
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and 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, Research Institute of Fish Culture and 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, Research Institute of Fish Culture and 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, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Alžběta Stará
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Šandová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and 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, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
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50
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Yarahmadi H, Duy SV, Hachad M, Dorner S, Sauvé S, Prévost M. Seasonal variations of steroid hormones released by wastewater treatment plants to river water and sediments: Distribution between particulate and dissolved phases. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 635:144-155. [PMID: 29660718 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Extensive environmental monitoring was conducted in an urban river impacted by multiple combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge points. Temporal and spatial distributions of dissolved and particulate steroids (progesterone (Prog), testosterone (Testo), medroxyprogesterone (MDRXY-Prog), levonorgestrel (Levo), norethindrone (Nore), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)) were investigated in sewage, WWTP effluents, receiving river water and sediments, and in drinking water plant (DWP) intakes. Steroids were detected in both dissolved and particulate phases with mean concentrations from 21ngL-1 to 389ngL-1 in raw sewage and from 10ngL-1 to 296ngL-1 in treated wastewater. The particle-associated steroids represented 0-82% of their total concentration as some steroids like E1 and E3 were detected only in the dissolved phase while MDRXY-Prog (81%), Nore (71%), and EE2 (>75%) were primarily detected in the particulate phase. Particle-associated steroids were detected in spring samples from river water with mean concentrations ranging from 5.4ngL-1 to 35.7ngL-1 compare to 3ngL-1 to 6.8ngL-1 in summer samples. Levels of particle-associated Testo, Nore, E2 and Levo in DWP intakes (406.2-13,149.1ngg-1) were similar to those found in raw sewage (336.6-7628.8ngg-1), indicating their persistence in the suspended phase from discharge points. Total steroids measured in sediments were in the range of 7-1213ngg-1, 5-25ngg-1, and 22-226ngg-1 in autumn, spring, and summer, respectively. Our findings confirm the presence and seasonal variation of a mixture of particle-associated steroids in drinking water sources. The presence of high concentrations of a mixture of particle-associated steroids in DWP intakes highlight the need for highly effective particle-removal processes to eliminate these recalcitrant compounds during drinking water production. Finally, the detected concentrations raise concerns about their potential environmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadis Yarahmadi
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique de Montréal, CP 6079, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada.
| | - Sung Vo Duy
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, succ, Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Mounia Hachad
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique de Montréal, CP 6079, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Sarah Dorner
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique de Montréal, CP 6079, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada; Canada Research Chair in Microbial Contaminant Dynamics in Source Waters, Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, succ, Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Michèle Prévost
- Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique de Montréal, CP 6079, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada; NSERC Industrial Chair on Drinking Water, Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique de Montréal, QC, Canada
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