1
|
de Schepper JKH, Slootweg T, Behnisch P, Felzel E, Houtman CJ. Beyond the Drinking Water Directive: The use of reporter gene assays as an added tool for effect-based monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in drinking water sources. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173366. [PMID: 38796005 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are legacy organic micropollutants (OMPs) that are sporadically detected in drinking water (DW) sources. The European Drinking Water Directive requires EU member states to monitor 5 PAHs in DW and its sources. The Dutch national regulations require 6 additional PAHs to be monitored and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These indicator compounds act as representatives for large compound classes. PCBs alone comprise 209 congeners, it is evident that conventional chemical target analysis (GC-tQ-MS) alone is not sufficient to monitor these entire compound classes. This study investigated the application of reporter gene assays as effect-based methods (EBMs) to monitor PAHs and PCBs in DW sources. Herein, it was assessed what added value the bioassays can bring compared to the current approach of chemical target analysis for PCBs and PAHs. Regulated and non-regulated PAHs and PCBs were tested in four bioassays to determine the relative potency factors (RPFs) for these compounds. Non-regulated congeners were found to be active in the PAH-CALUX and anti-AR CALUX. An assessment of surface water (SW) spiked with standard mixtures containing PAHs and PCBs confirmed the predictable behavior of the PAH-CALUX. Moreover, the bioassay was able to detect AhR-mediated activity caused by non-regulated PAHs and PCBs, whereas this would have been missed by conventional chemical target analysis. Last, a field study was conducted in Dutch DW sources at six sampling moments. The PAH-CALUX detected AhR-mediated activity at all sampling moments and an ecological effect-based trigger (EBT) value was exceeded on multiple accounts. Combined application of GC-tQ-MS and the PAH-CALUX ensures compliancy with monitoring legislation and provides additional insights into potential hazards to humans and the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J K H de Schepper
- Het Waterlaboratorium N.V. (HWL), 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - T Slootweg
- Het Waterlaboratorium N.V. (HWL), 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - P Behnisch
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E Felzel
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C J Houtman
- Het Waterlaboratorium N.V. (HWL), 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu M, Dai S, Dai G, Wang T, Zhang S, Wei L, Luo M, Zhou X, Wang H, Xu D. Dexamethasone induces developmental axon damage in the offspring hippocampus by activating miR-210-3p/miR-362-5p to target the aberrant expression of Sonic Hedgehog. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116330. [PMID: 38815627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Given the extensive application of dexamethasone in both clinical settings and the livestock industry, human exposure to this drug can occur through various sources and pathways. Prior research has indicated that prenatal exposure to dexamethasone (PDE) heightens the risk of cognitive and emotional disorders in offspring. Axonal development impairment is a frequent pathological underpinning for neuronal dysfunction in these disorders, yet it remains unclear if it plays a role in the neural damage induced by PDE in the offspring. Through RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis, we found that various signaling pathways related to nervous system development, including axonal development, were altered in the hippocampus of PDE offspring. Among them, the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway was the most significantly altered and crucial for axonal development. By using miRNA-seq and targeting miRNAs and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, we identified miR-210-3p and miR-362-5p, which can target and suppress SHH expression. Their abnormal high expression was associated with GR activation in PDE fetal rats. Further testing of PDE offspring rats and infant peripheral blood samples exposed to dexamethasone in utero showed that SHH expression was significantly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and was positively correlated with SHH expression in the hippocampus and the expression of the axonal development marker growth-associated protein-43. In summary, PDE-induced hippocampal GR-miR-210-3p/miR-362-5p-SHH signaling axis changes lead to axonal developmental damage. SHH expression in PBMCs may reflect axonal developmental damage in PDE offspring and could serve as a warning marker for fetal axonal developmental damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Lu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shiyun Dai
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Clinical Research for Cardiovascular Medications, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Gaole Dai
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liyi Wei
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Mingcui Luo
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetric, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hossain MF, Hossain S, Sarwar Jyoti MM, Omori Y, Ahamed S, Tokumoto T. Establishment of a graphene quantum dot (GQD) based steroid binding assay for the nuclear progesterone receptor (pgr). Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101691. [PMID: 38571552 PMCID: PMC10987840 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Previously, we established a homogeneous assay for membrane progesterone receptor alpha (mPRα) ligands by conjugating semiconductor nanoparticles known as graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to mPRα. When mixed with a progesterone-BSA-fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate (P4-BSA-FITC), fluorescence occurred by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) but was reduced by the ligand-receptor binding activity. The established way showed ligand specificity as mPRα protein. In this study, we tried to establish the same way for nuclear progesterone receptor (Pgr). The ligand-binding domain (LBD) of zebrafish Pgr (zPgrLBD) was expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST) (GST-zPgrLBD). The recombinant protein was then purified and coupled with GQDs to produce GQD-conjugated GST-zPgrLBD (GQD-GST-zPgrLBD). When mixed with a P4-BSA-FITC and activated by 370 nm light, fluorescence at 520 nm appeared by FRET mechanism. Fluorescence at 520 nm was reduced by adding free progesterone to the reaction mixture. Reduction of fluorescence was induced by zPgr ligands but not by steroids or chemicals that do not interact with zPgr. The results showed the formation of a complex of GQD-GST-zPgrLBD and P4-BSA-FITC with ligand-receptor binding. The binding of the compounds was further confirmed by a radiolabeled steroid binding assay. A homogenous ligand-binding assay for nuclear progesterone receptor has been established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md. Forhad Hossain
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, National University Corporation, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Shakhawat Hossain
- Biological Science Course, Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Md. Maisum Sarwar Jyoti
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, National University Corporation, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Yuki Omori
- Biological Science Course, Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Saokat Ahamed
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, National University Corporation, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| | - Toshinobu Tokumoto
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, National University Corporation, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
- Biological Science Course, Department of Science, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amankwah BK, Šauer P, Grabicová K, von der Ohe PC, Ayıkol NS, Kocour Kroupová H. Organic UV filters: Occurrence, risks and (anti-)progestogenic activities in samples from the Czech aquatic environment and their bioaccumulation in fish. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134338. [PMID: 38643577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence, environmental risks and contribution of organic UV filters to detected (anti-)progestogenic activities were examined in samples of wastewater treatment plant influents and effluents, various surface waters and fish from the Czech Republic. Of the 20 targeted UV filters, 15 were detected in the WWTP influent samples, 11 in the effluents, and 13 in the surface water samples. Benzophenone-3, benzophenone-4, and phenyl benzimidazole sulfonic acid (PBSA) were found in all water samples. Octocrylene, UV-327 and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor exceeded the risk quotient of 1 at some sites. In the anti-progestogenic CALUX assay, 10 out of the 20 targeted UV filters were active. Anti-progestogenic activities reaching up to 7.7 ng/L, 3.8 ng/L, and 4.5 ng/L mifepristone equivalents were detected in influents, effluents, and surface waters, respectively. UV filters were responsible for up to 37 % of anti-progestogenic activities in influents. Anti-progestogenic activities were also measured in fish tissues from the control pond and Podroužek (pond with the highest number of detected UV filters) and ranged from 2.2 to 9.5 and 1.9 to 8.6 ng/g dw mifepristone equivalents, respectively. However, only benzophenone was found in fish, but it does not display anti-progestogenic activity and thus could not explain the observed activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Kyei Amankwah
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Grabicová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Peter C von der Ohe
- UBA - German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, D-06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Nurhan Sultan Ayıkol
- Ankara University, Graduate School of Health Science, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Turkiye
| | - Hana Kocour Kroupová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weichert FG, Brack W, Brauns M, Fink P, Johann S, Krauss M, Hollert H. Dataset on target chemical and bioassay analysis-Exploring contaminants of emerging concern in a low mountain river of central Germany. Data Brief 2024; 54:110510. [PMID: 38799712 PMCID: PMC11127143 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical pollution of the aquatic environment is nowadays characterised by increasing levels of anthropogenic organic compounds at low concentrations and is recognised as one of the main drivers of the deteriorated ecological state of European waterbodies. To improve the understanding of the impact of chemical pollution in surface waters, a combined approach of chemical and bioanalytical testing is considered necessary for effective ecologically oriented water management. For this dataset, six 25-L water samples were collected at six sampling sites along the Holtemme River in Central Germany using large-volume solid phase extraction. All samples were analysed by targeted high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and a selected bioanalytical test battery using effect-based methods. These methods included cytotoxicity assessment, several mechanism-specific CALUXⓇ tests to identify endocrine and oxidative stress-related effects and the fish embryo acute toxicity test to investigate (sub)lethal effects in the model species Danio rerio. This approach provided a dataset that offers a longitudinal characterisation of the chemical pollution and ecotoxicological impacts. The combination of chemical analysis and effect-based analysis is valuable for future studies as it will help researchers, risk assessors and authorities to identify hot spots of chemical pollution, monitor environmental quality standards and recommend mitigation strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian G. Weichert
- Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences – Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences – Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Brauns
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Fink
- Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis and Management, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Johann
- Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences – Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences – Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department Environmental Media Related Ecotoxicology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Šauer P, Vojs Staňová A, Bořík A, Valentová O, Grabic R, Kocour Kroupová H. High enrichment factors in chemical analysis of progestins and in bioassays: insights beyond trace levels. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:38500-38511. [PMID: 38806985 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33714-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Concerns are growing about adverse effects of progestins on biota, even at ultra-trace concentrations. The enrichment factor (EF) from extraction of analytes in environmental samples that is needed for sample pre-concentration can affect not only performance of the analytical method but also the matrix effect. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the influence of high sample EF on performance of the high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and photoionization coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI/APPI-HRMS) method for analysis of progestins in waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and surface waters and analysis of (anti-)progestogenic activities measured by (anti-)PR-CALUX bioassays. The results showed that HPLC-APCI/APPI-HRMS coupled with solid-phase extraction and a high EF (33,333 Lwater/Lextract) enabled the detection of more compounds compared to samples with lower sample EF (10,000 Lwater/Lextract). The matrix effect did not increase proportionally compared to lower EFs (10,000 and 16,666 Lwater/Lextract), and lower limits of quantification were achieved in WWTP effluents and surface waters. The results of bioassays have shown that relative EF of 25 Lwater/Lbioassay appears high enough to detect progestogenic activity in treated waste water. Our study is one of the first to provide insights into sample pre-concentration in analysis of progestins and progestogenicity in aquatic environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Andrea Vojs Staňová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ilkovičova 6, SK-842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Adam Bořík
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Valentová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Grabic
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kocour Kroupová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Choi Y, Seo CD, Lee W, Son H, Lee Y. Assessment of bioactive chemicals in wastewater effluents and surface waters using in vitro bioassays in the Nakdong River basin, Korea. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 347:140621. [PMID: 37956933 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Organic micropollutants present in effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can negatively affect the quality of receiving waters or drinking water sources. The present work monitored the concentration of bioactive chemicals using a battery of in vitro bioassays in 14 WWTP effluents, 2 effluent-dominant streams, and 5 river waters in the Nakdong River basin, Korea, for a two-year period. The WWTP effluents showed AR/ERα/TRβ (androgen/estrogen/thyroid hormone) activities at a few to tens ng/L, PAH/PPARγ/p53 (polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbon/lipid metabolism/genotoxicity) activities at hundreds ng/L, and PXR/Nrf2 (xenobiotic metabolism/oxidative stress) activities at tens to hundreds μg/L as bioanalytical equivalent concentrations. The concentration level and type of bioactivities were statistically not affected by the source, season, or treatment processes of WWTPs for most endpoints. The effluent-dominant streams showed similar levels of AR/ERα/PAH/PXR/Nrf2 activities compared to the upstream WWTP effluents. The river waters showed lower levels of AR/ERα activities (by factors of 6 or 7) but had only slightly lower PAH/PXR/Nrf2 activities (within factors of 2) than the WWTP effluents when compared based on median concentration. Cytotoxicity was below the quantification limit (0.3 μg/L) in most effluent and river samples. For ERα/PAH/PXR/Nrf2, the median bioactivity levels of the river waters were higher than at least one of the effect-based trigger (EBT) values proposed in the literature. Further monitoring work and reliable/realistic EBT derivation are needed to determine possible ecological risks posed by the observed bioactivities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yegyun Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Dong Seo
- Water Quality Institute Busan Water Authority, Republic of Korea
| | - Woorim Lee
- Environment & Energy Research Laboratory, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejong Son
- Water Quality Institute Busan Water Authority, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunho Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Glassmeyer ST, Burns EE, Focazio MJ, Furlong ET, Gribble MO, Jahne MA, Keely SP, Kennicutt AR, Kolpin DW, Medlock Kakaley EK, Pfaller SL. Water, Water Everywhere, but Every Drop Unique: Challenges in the Science to Understand the Role of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Management of Drinking Water Supplies. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000716. [PMID: 38155731 PMCID: PMC10753268 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The protection and management of water resources continues to be challenged by multiple and ongoing factors such as shifts in demographic, social, economic, and public health requirements. Physical limitations placed on access to potable supplies include natural and human-caused factors such as aquifer depletion, aging infrastructure, saltwater intrusion, floods, and drought. These factors, although varying in magnitude, spatial extent, and timing, can exacerbate the potential for contaminants of concern (CECs) to be present in sources of drinking water, infrastructure, premise plumbing and associated tap water. This monograph examines how current and emerging scientific efforts and technologies increase our understanding of the range of CECs and drinking water issues facing current and future populations. It is not intended to be read in one sitting, but is instead a starting point for scientists wanting to learn more about the issues surrounding CECs. This text discusses the topical evolution CECs over time (Section 1), improvements in measuring chemical and microbial CECs, through both analysis of concentration and toxicity (Section 2) and modeling CEC exposure and fate (Section 3), forms of treatment effective at removing chemical and microbial CECs (Section 4), and potential for human health impacts from exposure to CECs (Section 5). The paper concludes with how changes to water quantity, both scarcity and surpluses, could affect water quality (Section 6). Taken together, these sections document the past 25 years of CEC research and the regulatory response to these contaminants, the current work to identify and monitor CECs and mitigate exposure, and the challenges facing the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan T. Glassmeyer
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Focazio
- Retired, Environmental Health ProgramEcosystems Mission AreaU.S. Geological SurveyRestonVAUSA
| | - Edward T. Furlong
- Emeritus, Strategic Laboratory Sciences BranchLaboratory & Analytical Services DivisionU.S. Geological SurveyDenverCOUSA
| | - Matthew O. Gribble
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental HealthRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Michael A. Jahne
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Scott P. Keely
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Alison R. Kennicutt
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringYork College of PennsylvaniaYorkPAUSA
| | - Dana W. Kolpin
- U.S. Geological SurveyCentral Midwest Water Science CenterIowa CityIAUSA
| | | | - Stacy L. Pfaller
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Goodwin JM, Golder PM, LeClair AR, Jun SC, Huckstep OJ, Steel JJ, Balboni AL. Designing a Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Study at the U.S. Air Force Academy: Using Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 to Test a Sentinel System for Early Disease Outbreak Detection. Mil Med 2023; 188:e3675-e3679. [PMID: 37405705 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) in wastewater has been proposed as a sentinel surveillance epidemiological tool for detection of infectious disease at a community level and as a complementary approach to syndromic surveillance of infectious disease outbreaks. We have designed a study to test the presence and quantity of SARS-CoV2, the virus responsible for COVID19, in the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) of the U.S. Air Force Academy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wastewater samples were tested in the laboratory to quantify the amount of SARS-CoV2 RNA using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Raw SARS-CoV2 viral titer in wastewater was normalized to the viral titer of a fecal marker, pepper mild mottle virus, to correct for dilutions. Temporal and spatial trends of COVID19 were analyzed. Furthermore, we compared wastewater analysis results against clinical data to assist public health decisions. RESULTS Preliminary data suggest that wastewater analysis can provide temporal and spatial trends of COVID19. The geographically discrete WWTF at the U.S. Air Force suggests that wastewater testing is a useful approach to developing a comprehensive sentinel surveillance system. CONCLUSIONS Together with ongoing syndromic surveillance data, this proof-of-concept study seeks to determine whether early detection of SARS-CoV2 in a closed system WWTF correlates to changes in community and clinically reported COVID19. The well-documented population served by the geographically discrete WWTF at the U.S. Air Force Academy may serve to better elucidate the adjunctive role of wastewater testing in a comprehensive surveillance system. These results may be of particular interest to the DoD and local commanders given the WWTFs under their immediate control and the information that these studies may provide in support of operational readiness through early detection of disease outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Goodwin
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| | - Philip M Golder
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| | - Amy R LeClair
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| | - Samuel C Jun
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| | - Odaro J Huckstep
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
- Life Science Research Center, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| | - J Jordan Steel
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| | - Armand L Balboni
- Department of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
- Life Science Research Center, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, CO 80840, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tan J, Li F, Liu L, Zhang J, Gui P, He M, Zhou X. Effect-Targeted Mapping of Potential Estrogenic Agonists and Antagonists in Wastewater via a Conformation-Specific Reporter-Mediated Biosensor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15617-15626. [PMID: 37802504 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are regarded as the main sources of estrogens that reach the aquatic environment. Hence, continuous monitoring of potential estrogenic-active compounds by a biosensor is an appealing approach. However, existing biosensors cannot simultaneously distinguish and quantify estrogenic agonists and antagonists. To overcome the challenge, we developed an estrogen receptor-based biosensor that selectively screened estrogenic agonists and antagonists by introducing rationally designed agonist/antagonist conformation-specific reporters. The double functional conformation-specific reporters consist of a Cy5.5-labeled streptavidin moiety and a peptide moiety, serving as signal recognition and signal transduction elements. In addition, the conformation recognition mechanism was further validated at the molecular level through molecular docking. Based on the two-step "turn-off" strategy, the biosensor exhibited remarkable sensitivity, detecting 17β-estradiol-binding activity equivalent (E2-BAE) at 7 ng/L and 4-hydroxytamoxifen-binding activity equivalent (4-OHT-BAE) at 91 ng/L. To validate its practicality, the biosensor was employed in a case study involving wastewater samples from two full-scale WWTPs across different treatment stages to map their estrogenic agonist and antagonist binding activities. Comparison with the yeast two-hybrid bioassay showed a strong liner relationship (r2 = 0.991, p < 0.0001), indicating the excellent accuracy and reliability of this technology in real applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jisui Tan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fangxu Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lanhua Liu
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Water Safety for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region of Ministry of Water Resources, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Ping Gui
- China Academy of Urban Planning & Design, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Miao He
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kim F, Pablo GF, Lubertus B, Lutz A, Karin W, Félix H, Agneta O, Johan L. Effect-based evaluation of water quality in a system of indirect reuse of wastewater for drinking water production. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120147. [PMID: 37320875 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Indirect potable reuse of wastewater is a practice that is gaining attention, aiming to increase freshwater supplies to meet water scarcity. However, reusing effluent wastewater for drinking water production comes with a paired risk of adverse health effects, due to the potential presence of pathogenic microorganisms and hazardous micropollutants. Disinfection is an established method to reduce microbial hazards in drinking water, but it has been associated with formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). In this study, we performed an effect-based assessment of chemical hazards in a system wherein a full-scale trial of disinfection by chlorination, of the treated wastewater was performed prior discharge to the reciepient river. The presence of bioactive pollutants was assessed along the entire treatment system, starting from incoming wastewater to finished drinking water at seven sites in and around the Llobregat River in Barcelona, Spain. Samples were collected in two campaigns, with and without applied chlorination treatment (13 mg Cl2/L) to the effluent wastewater. The water samples were analysed for cell viability, oxidative stress response (Nrf2 activity), estrogenicity, androgenicity, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity and activation of NFĸB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) signaling using stably transfected mammalian cell lines. Nrf2 activity, estrogen receptor activation and AhR activation was detected in all investigated samples. Overall, removal efficiencies were high in both wastewater treatment and drinking water treatment samples for most of the studied endpoints. No increase in oxidative stress (Nrf2 activity) could be attributed to the additional chlorination treatment of the effluent wastewater. However, we found an increase in AhR activity and a reduction of ER agonistic activity after chlorination treatment of effluent wastewater. The bioactivity detected in finished drinking water was considerably lower compared to what was found in effluent wastewater. We could thus conclude that indirect reuse of treated wastewater for drinking water production can be possible without compromising drinking water quality. This study contributed important knowledge in efforts to increase the reuse of treated wastewater as a source for drinking water production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frieberg Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden.
| | - Gago-Ferrero Pablo
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research - Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Jordi Girona, 18-26, Barcelona 08034, Spain; Edifici H20 - Parc Cientific i Tecnològic de Girona, Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit, 101, Girona E-17003, Spain
| | - Bijlsma Lubertus
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón E-12071, Spain
| | - Ahrens Lutz
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050 SE, Uppsala 750 07, Sweden
| | - Wiberg Karin
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7050 SE, Uppsala 750 07, Sweden
| | - Hernández Félix
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Castellón E-12071, Spain
| | - Oskarsson Agneta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
| | - Lundqvist Johan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Šauer P, Vrana B, Escher BI, Grabic R, Toušová Z, Krauss M, von der Ohe PC, König M, Grabicová K, Mikušová P, Prokeš R, Sobotka J, Fialová P, Novák J, Brack W, Hilscherová K. Bioanalytical and chemical characterization of organic micropollutant mixtures in long-term exposed passive samplers from the Joint Danube Survey 4: Setting a baseline for water quality monitoring. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:107957. [PMID: 37406370 PMCID: PMC10445204 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring methodologies reflecting the long-term quality and contamination of surface waters are needed to obtain a representative picture of pollution and identify risk drivers. This study sets a baseline for characterizing chemical pollution in the Danube River using an innovative approach, combining continuous three-months use of passive sampling technology with comprehensive chemical (747 chemicals) and bioanalytical (seven in vitro bioassays) assessment during the Joint Danube Survey (JDS4). This is one of the world's largest investigative surface-water monitoring efforts in the longest river in the European Union, which water after riverbank filtration is broadly used for drinking water production. Two types of passive samplers, silicone rubber (SR) sheets for hydrophobic compounds and AttractSPETM HLB disks for hydrophilic compounds, were deployed at nine sites for approximately 100 days. The Danube River pollution was dominated by industrial compounds in SR samplers and by industrial compounds together with pharmaceuticals and personal care products in HLB samplers. Comparison of the Estimated Environmental Concentrations with Predicted No-Effect Concentrations revealed that at the studied sites, at least one (SR) and 4-7 (HLB) compound(s) exceeded the risk quotient of 1. We also detected AhR-mediated activity, oxidative stress response, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-mediated activity, estrogenic, androgenic, and anti-androgenic activities using in vitro bioassays. A significant portion of the AhR-mediated and estrogenic activities could be explained by detected analytes at several sites, while for the other bioassays and other sites, much of the activity remained unexplained. The effect-based trigger values for estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities were exceeded at some sites. The identified drivers of mixture in vitro effects deserve further attention in ecotoxicological and environmental pollution research. This novel approach using long-term passive sampling provides a representative benchmark of pollution and effect potentials of chemical mixtures for future water quality monitoring of the Danube River and other large water bodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Branislav Vrana
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Beate I Escher
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Cell Toxicology, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Roman Grabic
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Toušová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Krauss
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter C von der Ohe
- UBA - German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, D-06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Maria König
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Cell Toxicology, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kateřina Grabicová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Mikušová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Prokeš
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic; Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Belidla 986/4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromír Sobotka
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Fialová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Novák
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jonkers TJH, Houtman CJ, van Oorschot Y, Lamoree MH, Hamers T. Identification of antimicrobial and glucocorticoid compounds in wastewater effluents with effect-directed analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116117. [PMID: 37178748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals, such as glucocorticoids and antibiotics, are inadequately removed from wastewater and may cause unwanted toxic effects in the receiving environment. This study aimed to identify contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater effluent with antimicrobial or glucocorticoid activity by applying effect-directed analysis (EDA). Effluent samples from six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Netherlands were collected and analyzed with unfractionated and fractionated bioassay testing. Per sample, 80 fractions were collected and in parallel high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data were recorded for suspect and nontarget screening. The antimicrobial activity of the effluents was determined with an antibiotics assay and ranged from 298 to 711 ng azithromycin equivalents·L-1. Macrolide antibiotics were identified in each effluent and found to significantly contribute to the antimicrobial activity of each sample. Agonistic glucocorticoid activity determined with the GR-CALUX assay ranged from 98.1 to 286 ng dexamethasone equivalents·L-1. Bioassay testing of several tentatively identified compounds to confirm their activity revealed inactivity in the assay or the incorrect identification of a feature. Effluent concentrations of glucocorticoid active compounds were estimated from the fractionated GR-CALUX bioassay response. Subsequently, the biological and chemical detection limits were compared and a sensitivity gap between the two monitoring approaches was identified. Overall, these results emphasize that combining sensitive effect-based testing with chemical analysis can more accurately reflect environmental exposure and risk than chemical analysis alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim J H Jonkers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Corine J Houtman
- The Water Laboratory, J.W. Lucasweg 2, 2031 BE, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marja H Lamoree
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Timo Hamers
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Department of Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cole AR, Brooks BW. Global occurrence of synthetic glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptor agonistic activity, and aquatic hazards in effluent discharges and freshwater systems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 329:121638. [PMID: 37080519 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
With a growing global population comes an increase in pharmaceutical usage and a concentration of pharmaceutical consumption in urban areas, which release diverse chemicals and waste to the environment. Because synthetic glucocorticoids have been identified as endocrine disruptors and environmental contaminants of emerging concern, we conducted a global scanning assessment of these pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluents and freshwater systems. Thirty-seven synthetic glucocorticoids were identified, and available information on environmental occurrence of specific substances was critically reviewed from the peer-reviewed literature. We developed probabilistic environmental exposure distributions for synthetic glucocorticoids, and further considered glucocorticoid receptor agonistic activity from biomonitoring efforts using in vitro methods. When sufficient data was available, we then performed probabilistic environmental hazard assessments using predicted no effect concentrations, therapeutic hazard values and in vitro bioactivity information (AC50 values) for specific glucocorticoids. We observed pronounced differences for aquatic monitoring data among geographic regions; information is not available from many regions where most of the global population resides. We identified differences between analytical chemistry derived occurrence values for specific chemicals and biomonitoring results from seven different in vitro assays, which suggests that compounds not previously preselected for targeted analyses contribute to glucocorticoid receptor agonism in effluent discharges and aquatic systems. Our observations further identify the importance of advancing nontargeted analyses and research on in vitro to in vivo extrapolation of aquatic hazards. Though aquatic toxicology information is lacking for most of these substances, we observed diverse aquatic hazards for several synthetic glucocorticoids, and these observations varied by aquatic matrix and among geographic regions. This study identifies timely data gaps and can inform future environmentally relevant chemistry and toxicology efforts examining synthetic glucocorticoids in aquatic systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Cole
- Department of Environmental Science, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Neale PA, Escher BI, de Baat ML, Enault J, Leusch FDL. Effect-Based Trigger Values Are Essential for the Uptake of Effect-Based Methods in Water Safety Planning. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:714-726. [PMID: 36524849 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Effect-based methods (EBMs) using in vitro bioassays and well plate-based in vivo assays are recommended for water quality monitoring because they can capture the mixture effects of the many chemicals present in water. Many in vitro bioassays are highly sensitive, so an effect in a bioassay does not necessarily indicate poor chemical water quality. Consequently, effect-based trigger values (EBTs) have been introduced to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable chemical water quality and are required for the wider acceptance of EBMs by the water sector and regulatory bodies. These EBTs have been derived for both drinking water and surface water to protect human and ecological health, respectively, and are available for assays indicative of specific receptor-mediated effects, as well as assays indicative of adaptive stress responses, apical effects, and receptor-mediated effects triggered by many chemicals. An overview of currently available EBTs is provided, and a simple approach is proposed to predict interim EBTs for assays currently without an EBT based on the effect concentration of the assay reference compound. There was good agreement between EBTs predicted using this simplistic approach and EBTs from the literature derived using more robust methods. Finally, an interpretation framework that outlines the steps to take if the effect of a sample exceeds the EBT was developed to help facilitate the uptake of EBMs in routine water quality monitoring and water safety planning for drinking water production. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:714-726. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Cell Toxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Milo L de Baat
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kocour Kroupová H, Grimaldi M, Šauer P, Bořík A, Zálohová K, Balaguer P. Environmental water extracts differentially activate zebrafish and human nuclear progesterone receptors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160232. [PMID: 36402315 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Many reports on anti-progestogenic activities in aquatic environments have been published in the past decade. These are monitored mainly by in vitro reporter gene bioassays based upon the human progesterone receptor (PR). However, results obtained by some human in vitro bioassays may not be relevant for aquatic animals, especially fish. The present work aimed to detect fish (anti-)PR activity in waste- and receiving surface waters. In parallel, human (anti-)PR activity was analysed to determine if there was any connection between human and fish (anti-)PR activities. Finally, (anti-)PR activities were linked to the occurrence of progestins in water samples. Human PR agonistic activity was detected in all wastewater and most receiving surface water samples. Nevertheless, zebrafish PR (zfPR) agonistic activity was found in only two influent wastewater samples (max. 117 ng/L 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one [DHP] equivalents). Analysed synthetic progestins and progesterone accounted for 14 % to 161 % of detected human PR (hPR) agonistic activity in water samples. Progesterone also contributed significantly to zfPR agonistic activity (up to 10 %) in raw wastewater. The anti-hPR activity was detected also in most wastewater and some surface water samples, but synthetic progestins did not trigger anti-zfPR activity in excess of LOQ values. In addition, altrenogest, dienogest, and ulipristal acetate were tested for their potency to zfPR for the first time. The activity analyses of both pure substances and environmental samples showed that human and zebrafish progesterone receptors are differentially activated. Therefore, results based on human PR in vitro bioassays could not predict fish PR activities in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hana Kocour Kroupová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Marina Grimaldi
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Inserm U1194 - Université Montpellier - Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier, F-34298 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Pavel Šauer
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Bořík
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Zálohová
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, CZ-389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Inserm U1194 - Université Montpellier - Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier, F-34298 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Choi Y, Jung EY, Lee W, Choi S, Son H, Lee Y. In vitro bioanalytical assessment of the occurrence and removal of bioactive chemicals in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Korea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159724. [PMID: 36306847 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contain various organic micropollutants, some of which can exert negative effects on the quality of receiving waters or drinking water sources. This study monitored two full-scale WWTPs in Korea for the occurrence and removal of bioactive chemicals for a one-year period using a battery of in vitro bioassays as a complementary approach to chemical analysis. Bioassays covering different endpoints were employed, such as hormone receptor activation (AR and ERα), xenobiotic metabolism (PAH and PXR), oxidative stress response (Nrf2), and cytotoxicity. The WWTP influents showed AR, ERα, and PAH activities at ng/L - μg/L and PXR and Nrf2 activities at μg/L - mg/L as bioanalytical equivalent concentrations of a reference compound for each bioassay. These bioactivities decreased along with the WWTP treatment train, with significant removals achieved by the secondary biological treatment processes. Cytotoxicity was observed only for some municipal wastewater (M-WWTP) influents but was below the limit of quantification for most cases. The influent and effluent bioactivities observed in this study were mostly comparable to those reported in other WWTPs in the literature. Comparison of the bioactivities with the effect-based trigger (EBT) values indicates that the impact of WWTP effluents on receiving water quality was low for most endpoints. For Nrf2, however, further investigation is required to evaluate the observed high bioactivities compared with the current EBT. The observed ERα activity could partly be explained by the presence of some steroid estrogens. Overall, our results contribute to an important database for the concentrations and removal efficiencies of bioactive chemicals in WWTPs and demonstrate bioassays as a useful tool for urban water quality monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yegyun Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Young Jung
- Water Quality Institute, Busan Water Authority, Kimhae 50804, Republic of Korea
| | - Woorim Lee
- Water Quality Institute, Busan Water Authority, Kimhae 50804, Republic of Korea; Environment & Energy Research Laboratory, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangki Choi
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejong Son
- Water Quality Institute, Busan Water Authority, Kimhae 50804, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunho Lee
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhou S, Schulze T, Brack W, Seiler TB, Hollert H. Spatial and temporal variations in anti-androgenic activity and environmental risk in a small river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158622. [PMID: 36084781 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of multiple compounds have been widely investigated in aquatic environments. However, investigations of spatial and temporal variations in biological effects are rarely performed because they are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, the variability of the anti-androgen, receptor-mediated activity of surface water samples was observed over 3 years using in vitro bioassays. Large-volume water samples were collected at one site upstream (Wer site) and two sites downstream (Sil and Nien sites) of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall in the Holtemme River. Anti-AR activity was persistently present in all surface water samples over the three years. Large spatial variations in anti-androgenic activity were observed, with the lowest activity at the Wer site (mean concentration of 9.5 ± 7.2 μg flutamide equivalents/L) and the highest activity at the Sil site (mean concentration of 31.1 ± 12.0 μg flutamide equivalents/L) directly influenced by WWTP effluents. On the temporal scale, no distinct trend for anti-AR activity was observed among the seasons in all three years. The anti-androgenic activity at the upstream Wer site showed a decreasing trend from 2014 to 2016, indicating improved water quality. A novel bioanalytical-equivalent-based risk assessment method considering the frequency of risk occurrence was developed and then utilized to assess the environmental risk of anti-androgenic activity in the Holtemme River. The results revealed that the highest risk was present at the Sil site, while the risk was considerably reduced at the Nien site. The risk at the upstream Wer site was the lowest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shangbo Zhou
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Tobias Schulze
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas-Benjamin Seiler
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets, Rotthauser Str. 21, 45879 Gelsenkirchen, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research (Biology V), Department of Ecosystem Analysis, Worringerweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhou Q, Shen Y, Chou L, Guo J, Zhang X, Shi W. Identification of Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonistic Activities and Responsible Compounds in House Dust: Bioaccessibility Should Not Be Ignored. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16768-16779. [PMID: 36345731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04183] [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
More and more contaminants in dust have been found to be glucocorticoid receptor (GR) disrupting chemicals. However, little is known about the related potency and responsible toxicants, especially for the main bioaccessible ones in dust. An effect-directed analysis (EDA)-based workflow was developed, including solvent-based exhaustive extraction/tenax-assisted bioaccessible extraction (TBE), high-throughput bioassays, suspect and non-target analysis, as well as in silico candidate selection, for a more realistic identification of responsible contaminants in dust. None of the 39 dust samples from 23 cities in China exhibited GR agonistic activity, while GR antagonistic potencies were detected in 34.8% of samples, being significantly different from the high detection frequency of GR agonistic activities in other environmental media. The GR antagonistic potencies of the dust samples were all reduced after bioaccessible extraction. The mean bioaccessibility of GR antagonistic potency compared with the related exhaustive extracts was 36.8%, and the lowest value was 9%. By using in silico candidate selection, greater than 99% candidate chemical structures which were found by a non-target screening strategy were removed. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and nicotine (NIC) were responsible for the activities of the exhaustive extracts of dust, contributing up to 91% potencies. DiBP and DnBP were also responsible for the bioaccessible activities, contributing up to 79% potencies. However, the contribution from NIC decreased significantly and can be ignored because of its low bioaccessibility. This study suggests that the improved workflow combining extraction, reporter gene bioassays, suspect and non-target analysis, as well as in silico candidate selection is useful for EDA analysis in dust samples. In addition, exhaustive extraction may overestimate the risk of contaminants, while bioaccessibility evaluation based on bioaccessible extraction is essential in both effect evaluation and toxicant identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Yanhong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
- Environmental Monitoring Station of Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou215027, China
| | - Liben Chou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Jing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lopez-Herguedas N, González-Gaya B, Cano A, Alvarez-Mora I, Mijangos L, Etxebarria N, Zuloaga O, Olivares M, Prieto A. Effect-directed analysis of a hospital effluent sample using A-YES for the identification of endocrine disrupting compounds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157985. [PMID: 35985602 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An effect-directed analysis (EDA) approach was used to identify the compounds responsible for endocrine disruption in a hospital effluent (Basque Country). In order to facilitate the identification of the potentially toxic substances, a sample was collected using an automated onsite large volume solid phase extraction (LV-SPE) system. Then, it was fractionated with a two-step orthogonal chromatographic separation and tested for estrogenic effects with a recombinant yeast (A-YES) in-vitro bioassay. The fractionation method was optimized and validated for 184 compounds, and its application to the hospital effluent sample allowed reducing the number of unknowns from 292 in the raw sample to 35 after suspect analysis of the bioactive fractions. Among those, 7 of them were confirmed with chemical standards. In addition, target analysis of the raw sample confirmed the presence of mestranol, estrone and dodemorph in the fractions showing estrogenic activity. Predictive estrogenic activity modelling using quantitative structure-activity relationships indicated that the hormones mestranol (5840 ng/L) and estrone (128 ng/L), the plasticiser bisphenol A (9219 ng/L) and the preservative butylparaben (1224 ng/L) were the main contributors of the potential toxicity. Derived bioanalytical equivalents (BEQs) pointed mestranol and estrone as the main contributors (56 % and 43 %, respectively) of the 50 % of the sample's explained total estrogenic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naroa Lopez-Herguedas
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Belén González-Gaya
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Alicia Cano
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Iker Alvarez-Mora
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Leire Mijangos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Nestor Etxebarria
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Olatz Zuloaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Maitane Olivares
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| | - Ailette Prieto
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Basque Country, Spain; Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology (PIE), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plentzia, Basque Country, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ronzheimer A, Schreiner T, Morlock GE. Multiplex planar bioassay detecting estrogens, antiestrogens, false-positives and synergists as sharp zones on normal phase. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 103:154230. [PMID: 35724612 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phytoestrogens are found in many plants used in traditional medicines. Increasingly, plant extracts (botanicals) are also being added to foods or marketed as dietary supplements. Especially such powder formulations are susceptible to adulteration and falsification, given the global processing chain. To detect estrogen-like compounds in such multicomponent mixtures, non-target screening for hormonally active or endocrine disrupting compounds in plant products is becoming more important. Unfortunately, the current planar yeast estrogen screen (pYES) is prone to zone diffusion on the normal-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (NP-HPTLC) plate due to long incubation times in the aqueous bioassay. PURPOSE The present study aimed to reduce zone diffusion on NP plates, which provides the basis for extending pYES to a multiplex bioassay, offering 4 different biological activity principles, followed by targeted identification of active zones. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The reduction of substance diffusion via a polyisobutyl methacrylate polymer coating was studied. After successful zone fixation (fix), a multiplex bioassay was developed, in which a 17β-estradiol-strip was applied along each sample track to detect synergists and antagonists (A), and for verification (V), a 4-methyl umbelliferone-strip to exclude false-positives. After multiplex bioassay screening of 68 botanicals, the zones with hormonal activities were heart-cut eluted to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-DAD-HESI-HRMS/MS). RESULTS The separated substances were successfully fixed by the chromatogram coating. The zone sharpness (achieved after the bioassay) made it possible to add two strips, the 17β-estradiol-strip for antagonistic and synergistic, and the 4-methyl umbelliferone-strip for false-positive effect detection, resulting in a multiplex bioassay. Using the 12D hyphenation NP-HPTLCfix-UV/Vis/FLD-pYAVES-FLD heart-cut RP-HPLC-DAD-HESI-HRMS/MS, it was possible to obtain information on estrogens, antiestrogens, false-positives, and synergists, and (tentatively) assign 17 hormonally active compounds, of which only 7 have been known to affect the human estrogen receptor, while another 4 had structural similarity to common phytoestrogens and antiestrogens. CONCLUSIONS The streamlined 12D hyphenation including a multiplex bioassay has been shown to differentiate hormonal effects, leading to new insights and better understanding. It can generally be used to identify unknown hormonally active compounds in complex samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Ronzheimer
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Nutritional Science, Chair of Food Science, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - T Schreiner
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Nutritional Science, Chair of Food Science, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - G E Morlock
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Nutritional Science, Chair of Food Science, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Maruya KA, Lao W, Vandervort DR, Fadness R, Lyons M, Mehinto AC. Bioanalytical and chemical-specific screening of contaminants of concern in three California (USA) watersheds. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09534. [PMID: 35663765 PMCID: PMC9160045 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To broaden the scope of contaminants monitored in human-impacted riverine systems, water, sediment, and treated wastewater effluent were analyzed using receptor-based cell assays that provide an integrated response to chemicals based on their mode of biological activity. Samples were collected from three California (USA) watersheds with varying degrees of urbanization and discharge from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To complement cell assay results, samples were also analyzed for a suite of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC- and LC-MS/MS). For most water and sediment samples, bioassay equivalent concentrations for estrogen and glucocorticoid receptor assays (ER- and GR-BEQs, respectively) were near or below reporting limits. Measured CEC concentrations compared to monitoring trigger values established by a science advisory panel indicated minimal to moderate concern in water but suggested that select pesticides (pyrethroids and fipronil) had accumulated to levels of greater concern in river sediments. Integrating robust, standardized bioanalytical tools such as the ER and GR assays utilized in this study into existing chemical-specific monitoring and assessment efforts will enhance future CEC monitoring efforts in impacted riverine systems and coastal watersheds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Wenjian Lao
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Darcy R Vandervort
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Richard Fadness
- California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403, USA
| | - Michael Lyons
- California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, USA
| | - Alvine C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Timmers PHA, Slootweg T, Knezev A, van der Schans M, Zandvliet L, Reus A, Vughs D, Heijnen L, Knol T, El Majjaoui J, van der Wielen P, Stuyfzand PJ, Lekkerkerker-Teunissen K. Improved drinking water quality after adding advanced oxidation for organic micropollutant removal to pretreatment of river water undergoing dune infiltration near The Hague, Netherlands. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 429:128346. [PMID: 35236037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Peer H A Timmers
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
| | - T Slootweg
- The Water Laboratory N.V., J.W. Lucasweg 2, 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - A Knezev
- The Water Laboratory N.V., J.W. Lucasweg 2, 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - M van der Schans
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - L Zandvliet
- The Water Laboratory N.V., J.W. Lucasweg 2, 2031 BE Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - A Reus
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - D Vughs
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - L Heijnen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - T Knol
- Dunea, Utility for drinking water and nature conservancy, Plein van de Verenigde Naties 11-15, 2719 EG Zoetermeer, the Netherlands
| | - J El Majjaoui
- Dunea, Utility for drinking water and nature conservancy, Plein van de Verenigde Naties 11-15, 2719 EG Zoetermeer, the Netherlands
| | - P van der Wielen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
| | - P J Stuyfzand
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Stuyfzand Hydroconsult+, Brederodestraat 138, 2042BL Zandvoort, the Netherlands
| | - K Lekkerkerker-Teunissen
- Dunea, Utility for drinking water and nature conservancy, Plein van de Verenigde Naties 11-15, 2719 EG Zoetermeer, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Guo W, Li J, Luo M, Mao Y, Yu X, Elskens M, Baeyens W, Gao Y. Estrogenic activity and ecological risk of steroids, bisphenol A and phthalates after secondary and tertiary sewage treatment processes. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 214:118189. [PMID: 35184019 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Effluents of sewage treatment plants (STPs) are an important source of estrogenic substances to the receiving water bodies affecting their ecological safety. In this study, steroids, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates were assessed in the secondary (SE) and tertiary effluent (TE) of three typical urban STPs in Beijing (China). In addition, the overall estrogenic activity in these effluents was assessed by an in-vitro bioassay (ERE-CALUX). Results showed that the concentrations and activities of estrogenic compounds in TE were lower than those in SE. The residual concentration of 17β-estradiol (E2) was the highest among the detected steroids, accounting for 51.6 ± 5.1% in SE and 57.5 ± 24.8% in TE. The residual level (25.2-41.6 ng/L) of BPA in effluents was significantly higher than that of steroids (0.2-28.8 ng/L). The residual concentration of diethyl phthalate was the highest among the detected phthalates accounting for 47.1 ± 5.1% in SE and 37.6 ± 11.5% in TE. Steroids and BPA had a higher removal rate (83.5% and 96.7%) in secondary and tertiary treatment than phthalates (68.8% and 83.1%). The hydrophobic characteristics of these estrogenic compounds determined the removal mechanism. The removal of steroids, BPA, dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate (LogKow= 1.61-4.15) mainly occurred through biodegradation in the water phase, while the removal of dibutyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (LogKow= 4.27-7.50) mainly occurred in the solid phase after adsorption on and sedimentation of the suspended particulate matter. According to ERE-CALUX, the estrogenic activity in the final STP effluents was 3.2-45.6 ng E2-equivalents/L, which is higher than reported levels in the effluents of European STPs. Calculation of estrogenic equivalents by using substance specific chemical analysis indicated that the dominant contributor was E2 (56.4-88.4%), followed by 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) (4.1-34.8%), both also exerting a moderate risk to the aquatic ecosystem. While the upgrade of treatment processes in STPs has efficiently reduced the emission of estrogenic substances, their ecological risk was not yet phased out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Belgium; College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Jun Li
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Mingyue Luo
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Belgium
| | - Yan Mao
- Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center of MEE, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiangyi Yu
- Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center of MEE, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Marc Elskens
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Belgium
| | - Yue Gao
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Robitaille J, Denslow ND, Escher BI, Kurita-Oyamada HG, Marlatt V, Martyniuk CJ, Navarro-Martín L, Prosser R, Sanderson T, Yargeau V, Langlois VS. Towards regulation of Endocrine Disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water resources using bioassays - A guide to developing a testing strategy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 205:112483. [PMID: 34863984 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in every environmental medium and are chemically diverse. Their presence in water resources can negatively impact the health of both human and wildlife. Currently, there are no mandatory screening mandates or regulations for EDC levels in complex water samples globally. Bioassays, which allow quantifying in vivo or in vitro biological effects of chemicals are used commonly to assess acute toxicity in water. The existing OECD framework to identify single-compound EDCs offers a set of bioassays that are validated for the Estrogen-, Androgen-, and Thyroid hormones, and for Steroidogenesis pathways (EATS). In this review, we discussed bioassays that could be potentially used to screen EDCs in water resources, including in vivo and in vitro bioassays using invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and/or mammalians species. Strengths and weaknesses of samples preparation for complex water samples are discussed. We also review how to calculate the Effect-Based Trigger values, which could serve as thresholds to determine if a given water sample poses a risk based on existing quality standards. This work aims to assist governments and regulatory agencies in developing a testing strategy towards regulation of EDCs in water resources worldwide. The main recommendations include 1) opting for internationally validated cell reporter in vitro bioassays to reduce animal use & cost; 2) testing for cell viability (a critical parameter) when using in vitro bioassays; and 3) evaluating the recovery of the water sample preparation method selected. This review also highlights future research avenues for the EDC screening revolution (e.g., 3D tissue culture, transgenic animals, OMICs, and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs)).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Robitaille
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Beate I Escher
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Vicki Marlatt
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Laia Navarro-Martín
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Thomas Sanderson
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, INRS, Laval, QC, Canada
| | | | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kienle C, Werner I, Fischer S, Lüthi C, Schifferli A, Besselink H, Langer M, McArdell CS, Vermeirssen ELM. Evaluation of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant with ozonation and different post-treatments using a broad range of in vitro and in vivo bioassays. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 212:118084. [PMID: 35114528 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Micropollutants present in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) after biological treatment are largely eliminated by effective advanced technologies such as ozonation. Discharge of contaminants into freshwater ecosystems can thus be minimized, while simultaneously protecting drinking water resources. However, ozonation can lead to reactive and potentially toxic transformation products. To remove these, the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment recommends additional "post-treatment" of ozonated WWTP effluent using sand filtration, but other treatments may be similarly effective. In this study, 48 h composite wastewater samples were collected before and after full-scale ozonation, and after post-treatments (full-scale sand filtration, pilot-scale fresh and pre-loaded granular activated carbon, and fixed and moving beds). Ecotoxicological tests were performed to quantify the changes in water quality following different treatment steps. These included standard in vitro bioassays for the detection of endocrine, genotoxic and mutagenic effects, as well as toxicity to green algae and bacteria, and flow-through in vivo bioassays using oligochaetes and early life stages of rainbow trout. Results show that ozonation reduced a number of ecotoxicological effects of biologically treated wastewater by 66 - 93%: It improved growth and photosynthesis of green algae, decreased toxicity to luminescent bacteria, reduced concentrations of hormonally active contaminants and significantly changed expression of biomarker genes in rainbow trout liver. Bioassay results showed that ozonation did not produce problematic levels of reaction products overall. Small increases in toxicity observed in a few samples were reduced or eliminated by post-treatments. However, only relatively fresh granular activated carbon (analyzed at 13,000 - 20,000 bed volumes) significantly reduced effects additionally (by up to 66%) compared to ozonation alone. Inhibition of algal photosynthesis, rainbow trout liver histopathology and biomarker gene expression proved to be sufficiently sensitive endpoints to detect the change in water quality achieved by post-treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Kienle
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Inge Werner
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Fischer
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Christina Lüthi
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Schifferli
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Harrie Besselink
- BioDetection Systems B.V. (BDS), Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Netherlands
| | - Miriam Langer
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christa S McArdell
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Simon E, Duffek A, Stahl C, Frey M, Scheurer M, Tuerk J, Gehrmann L, Könemann S, Swart K, Behnisch P, Olbrich D, Brion F, Aït-Aïssa S, Pasanen-Kase R, Werner I, Vermeirssen ELM. Biological effect and chemical monitoring of Watch List substances in European surface waters: Steroidal estrogens and diclofenac - Effect-based methods for monitoring frameworks. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 159:107033. [PMID: 34979407 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Three steroidal estrogens, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac have been included in the first Watch List of the Water Framework Directive (WFD, EU Directive 2000/60/EC, EU Implementing Decision 2015/495). This triggered the need for more EU-wide surface water monitoring data on these micropollutants, before they can be considered for inclusion in the list of priority substances regularly monitored in aquatic ecosystems. The revision of the priority substance list of the WFD offers the opportunity to incorporate more holistic bioanalytical approaches, such as effect-based monitoring, alongside single substance chemical monitoring. Effect-based methods (EBMs) are able to measure total biological activities (e.g., estrogenic activity or cyxlooxygenase [COX]-inhibition) of specific group of substances (such as estrogens and NSAIDs) in the aquatic environment at low concentrations (pg/L). This makes them potential tools for a cost-effective and ecotoxicologically comprehensive water quality assessment. In parallel, the use of such methods could build a bridge from chemical status assessments towards ecological status assessments by adressing mixture effects for relevant modes of action. Our study aimed to assess the suitability of implementing EBMs in the WFD, by conducting a large-scale sampling and analysis campaign of more than 70 surface waters across Europe. This resulted in the generation of high-quality chemical and effect-based monitoring data for the selected Watch List substances. Overall, water samples contained low estrogenicity (0.01-1.3 ng E2-Equivalent/L) and a range of COX-inhibition activity similar to previously reported levels (12-1600 ng Diclofenac-Equivalent/L). Comparison between effect-based and conventional analytical chemical methods showed that the chemical analytical approach for steroidal estrogens resulted in more (76%) non-quantifiable data, i.e., concentrations were below detection limits, compared to the EBMs (28%). These results demonstrate the excellent and sensitive screening capability of EBMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Simon
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Anja Duffek
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Cordula Stahl
- Steinbeis-Innovationszentrum Zellkulturtechnik, c/o University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Germany
| | - Manfred Frey
- Steinbeis-Innovationszentrum Zellkulturtechnik, c/o University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marco Scheurer
- TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (German Water Centre), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jochen Tuerk
- Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Duisburg, Germany
| | - Linda Gehrmann
- Institut für Energie- und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Duisburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Könemann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kees Swart
- BioDetection Systems B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Behnisch
- National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS), UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Daniel Olbrich
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Franҫois Brion
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Selim Aït-Aïssa
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Inge Werner
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
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.
Collapse
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;
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are defined as chemicals that interfere with the function of the endocrine system. EDCs exert their hormonal effects through several mechanisms; modulating hormone receptors or changing metabolism of different hormones. EDCs also influence multiple signalling pathways while effecting the hormonal systems and possess complex dose-response curves. EDCs can exert deleterious effects on bone tissue through changing bone modelling and remodelling via altering bone paracrine hormone synthesis, the release of systemic hormones, cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, and effecting stem cell fate, as well as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Evidence is accumulating of the bone disrupting effect of different groups of EDCs, such as; the perfluoroalkyl substances, the phthalate esters, the bisphenol A, the organotin compounds, the alkylphenols and the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. This review highlights the recent discoveries of the effects of commonly found environmental chemicals on bone from basic molecular findings to clinical implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serap Turan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Houtman CJ, Brewster K, Ten Broek R, Duijve B, van Oorschot Y, Rosielle M, Lamoree MH, Steen RJCA. Characterisation of (anti-)progestogenic and (anti-)androgenic activities in surface and wastewater using high resolution effectdirected analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 153:106536. [PMID: 33812044 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106536] [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: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The quality of surface waters is threatened by pollution with low concentrations of bioactive chemicals, among which those interfering with steroid hormone systems. Induced by reports of anti-progestogenic activity in surface waters, a two-year four-weekly survey of (anti-)progestogenic activity was performed at three surface water locations in the Netherlands that serve as abstraction points for the production of drinking water. As certain endogenous and synthetic progestogenic compounds are also potent (anti-)androgens, these activities were also investigated. Anti-progestogenic and anti-androgenic activities were detected in the majority of the monitoring samples, sometimes in concentrations exceeding effect-based trigger values, indicating the need for further research. To characterize the compounds responsible for the activities, a high resolution Effect-Directed Analysis (hr-EDA) panel was combined with PR and AR CALUX bioassays, performed in agonistic and antagonistic modes. The influent and effluent of a domestic wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were included as effluent is a possible emission source of active compounds. As drivers for androgenic and progestogenic activities several native and synthetic steroid hormones were identified in the WWTP samples, namely androstenedione, testosterone, DHT, levonorgestrel and cyproterone acetate. The pesticides metolachlor and cyazofamid were identified as contributors to both the anti-progestogenic and anti-androgenic activities in surface water. In addition, epiconazole contributed to the anti-progestogenic activities in the rivers Rhine and Enclosed Meuse. This study showed the strength of hr-EDA for the identification of bioactive compounds in environmental samples and shed light on the drivers of (anti-)progestogenic and (anti-)androgenic activities in the aquatic environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corine J Houtman
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Kevin Brewster
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Ten Broek
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Bente Duijve
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | | | - Martine Rosielle
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Marja H Lamoree
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Ruud J C A Steen
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Stavreva DA, Collins M, McGowan A, Varticovski L, Raziuddin R, Brody DO, Zhao J, Lee J, Kuehn R, Dehareng E, Mazza N, Pegoraro G, Hager GL. Mapping multiple endocrine disrupting activities in Virginia rivers using effect-based assays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145602. [PMID: 33592464 PMCID: PMC8026610 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145602] [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: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Water sources are frequently contaminated with natural and anthropogenic substances having known or suspected endocrine disrupting activities; however, these activities are not routinely measured and monitored. Phenotypic bioassays are a promising new approach for detection and quantitation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). We developed cell lines expressing fluorescent chimeric constructs capable of detecting environmental contaminants which interact with multiple nuclear receptors. Using these assays, we tested water samples collected in the summers of 2016, 2017 and 2018 from two major Virginia rivers. Samples were concentrated 200× and screened for contaminants interacting with the androgen (AR), glucocorticoid (GR), aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) and thyroid receptors. Among 45 tested sites, over 70% had AR activity and 60% had AhR activity. Many sites were also positive for GR and TRβ activation (22% and 42%, respectively). Multiple sites were positive for more than one type of contaminants, indicating presence of complex mixtures. These activities may negatively impact river ecosystems and consequently human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana A Stavreva
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Michael Collins
- Center for Natural Capital, PO Box 901, Orange, VA, United States
| | - Andrew McGowan
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lyuba Varticovski
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Razi Raziuddin
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David Owen Brody
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
| | - Jerry Zhao
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
| | - Johnna Lee
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
| | - Riley Kuehn
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
| | - Elisabeth Dehareng
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
| | - Nicholas Mazza
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
| | - Gianluca Pegoraro
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gordon L Hager
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dagar G, Bagchi G. Novel use of coactivators to enhance sensitivity of SEAP-based reporter assay system for visual monitoring and quantitation of androgens and antiandrogens in water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144514. [PMID: 33736142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Every year thousands of chemicals get discharged into the waterbodies of the world. These chemicals cause endocrine disruption and induce adverse health effects in human and aquatic life. Global environmental protection agencies emphasise the need to develop rapid and specific tests for identification of these endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) in water. Detection of chemicals that disrupt androgen signaling is especially important because androgen input at specific phases of life is critical for proper male development. Effect-based methods such as reporter assays are suitable tools for identification of EDCs in mixtures of unknown composition. The current study describes a stable, secreted alkaline protease (SEAP)-based reporter assay system, for visual detection of androgenic/antiandrogenic activity present in water samples. A novel feature of this system is the inclusion of coactivators, GRIP1, CARM1, p300 and mZac1b, in addition to an optimal combination of androgen response element (3× HRE), androgen receptor (AR) and the SEAP reporter gene. Incorporation of the coactivators resulted in a transcriptional fold change of 162 folds, enabling visual detection at much lower concentrations of androgen (1 picomolar) within 1 h of addition of test sample. Also, non-androgenic steroids such as estrogen, progesterone and Dexamethasone did not induce significant reporter activity, except at very high concentrations. This reporter assay can be readily converted into a high throughput format for investigation in multiple samples simultaneously, and reflects the changes that can be expected to occur inside a mammalian cell. The androgenic activity in six different water sources was evaluated using this assay. The results reveal significant androgenic activity in rivers and lakes close to Industrial areas, whereas the highest androgenic activity was observed in water containing paper and pulp mill effluents. This bioassay therefore provides a rapid, visual detection tool for effect-directed analysis of androgenic/antiandrogenic compounds in water. IMPACT STATEMENT: The current SEAP-based assay allows visual detection of androgens/antiandrogens in water, at concentrations as low as 1 picomolar, within a 1 h time period, in a high throughput format, providing a very useful technique for field users and regulatory bodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Dagar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Gurgaon 122413, India
| | - Gargi Bagchi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Gurgaon 122413, India.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kassotis CD, Trasande L. Endocrine disruptor global policy. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 92:1-34. [PMID: 34452684 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past several decades, scientific consensus has grown around the concept and evidence for human health impacts from exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). A series of publications have now demonstrated considerable economic costs of EDC exposure-induced adverse health outcomes. This research has suggested economic burdens in the hundreds of billions, even considering only a small subset of EDCs and health. As of yet, regulatory efforts and policies to protect and decrease human exposure to most EDCs have been insufficient and have not kept pace with the science. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence, referenced throughout this collection, as well as the economic costs of inaction, described here, regulations are clearly needed. The EU and some other countries have taken promising steps towards protective regulation of EDCs, though the response of the US and many other countries has been limited or altogether lacking. Regulatory bodies that have and continue to apply risk-based approaches to regulating EDCs have also failed to consider the complete economic impacts of EDC-related health impacts. In this chapter, we will discuss broad strategies taken to regulate EDCs, examine the approaches currently taken to regulate EDCs in a global context (discussing the strengths and weaknesses of these regulations), discuss the economic costs of EDC exposures (detailing where consideration of health and economic costs could improve regulations), and discuss next steps and novel approaches to adapting existing regulatory frameworks to this class of chemicals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Kassotis
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Departments of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; NYU College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Dopp E, Pannekens H, Gottschlich A, Schertzinger G, Gehrmann L, Kasper-Sonnenberg M, Richard J, Joswig M, Grummt T, Schmidt TC, Wilhelm M, Tuerk J. Effect-based evaluation of ozone treatment for removal of micropollutants and their transformation products in waste water. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2021; 84:418-439. [PMID: 33622194 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2021.1881854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this interdisciplinary research project in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, entitled "Elimination of pharmaceuticals and organic micropollutants from waste water" involved the conception of cost-effective and innovative waste-water cleaning methods. In this project in vitro assays, in vivo assays and chemical analyses were performed on three municipal waste-water treatment plants (WWTP). This publication focuses on the study of the in vitro bioassays. Cytotoxic, estrogenic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the original as well as enriched water samples were monitored before and after wastewater treatment steps using MTT and PAN I, ER Calux and A-YES, micronucleus and Comet assays as well as AMES test. In most cases, the measured effects were reduced after ozonation, but in general, the biological response depended upon the water composition of the WWTP, in particular on the formed by-products and concentration of micropollutants. In order to be able to assess the genotoxic and/or mutagenic potential of waste-water samples using bioassays like Ames test, Comet assay or micronucleus test an enrichment of the water sample via solid-phase extraction is recommended. This is in agreement with previous studies such as the "ToxBox"-Project of the Environmental Agency in Germany.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elke Dopp
- Department of Toxicology, IWW Water Center, Mülheim A. D. Ruhr, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Helena Pannekens
- Department of Toxicology, IWW Water Center, Mülheim A. D. Ruhr, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anne Gottschlich
- Department of Toxicology, IWW Water Center, Mülheim A. D. Ruhr, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schertzinger
- Department of Toxicology, IWW Water Center, Mülheim A. D. Ruhr, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Linda Gehrmann
- Department of Environmental Hygiene and Trace Substances, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA), Duisburg, Germany
| | - Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jessica Richard
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Joswig
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tamara Grummt
- Department of Water Hygiene and Toxicology, Umweltbundesamt (UBA), Bad Elster, Germany
| | - Torsten C Schmidt
- Department of Toxicology, IWW Water Center, Mülheim A. D. Ruhr, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry (IAC), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Wilhelm
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Hygiene, Social and Environmental Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jochen Tuerk
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Environmental Hygiene and Trace Substances, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA), Duisburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nguyen MT, De Baat ML, Van Der Oost R, Van Den Berg W, De Voogt P. Comparative field study on bioassay responses and micropollutant uptake of POCIS, Speedisk and SorbiCell polar passive samplers. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 82:103549. [PMID: 33246138 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Routine water quality monitoring is generally performed with chemical analyses of grab samples, which has major limitations. First, snapshot samples will not give a good representation of the water quality. Second, it is not sufficient to analyze only a limited number of (priority) pollutants. These limitations can be circumvented by an alternative environmental risk assessment that combines time-integrated passive sampling (PS) with effect-based methods. This study aimed to select which of three polar PS devices was best suited for effect-based monitoring strategies. In the first part of this study, Speedisk, SorbiCell and POCIS polar PS devices were compared by simultaneous deployment at five sites. Chemical analyses of 108 moderately polar compounds (-1.82 < log D < 6.28) revealed that highest number of compounds, with the widest range of log KOW, log D and pKa, were detected in extracts of POCIS, followed by Speedisk. SorbiCell samplers accumulated the lowest numbers and concentrations of compounds, so they were not further investigated. In a follow-up study, bioassay responses were compared in extracts of POCIS and Speedisk devices deployed at eight sites. The passive sampler extracts were subjected to bioassays for non-specific toxicity, endocrine disruption, and antibiotics activities. More frequent and higher responses were induced by POCIS extracts, leading to more exceedances of effect-based trigger values for environmental risks. As POCIS outperformed Speedisk, it is better suited as PS device targeting polar compounds for semi-quantitative effect-based water quality monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Thao Nguyen
- Waterproef Laboratory, Department of Research & Validation, Edam, the Netherlands.
| | - Milo L De Baat
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Van Der Oost
- Waternet Institute for the Urban Water Cycle, Department of Technology, Research and Engineering, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Willie Van Den Berg
- Waterproef Laboratory, Department of Research & Validation, Edam, the Netherlands
| | - Pim De Voogt
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands; KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Goh SXL, Goh EXY, Lee HK. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-multi-walled carbon nanotubes-coated-membrane solid phase extraction of glucocorticoids in aqueous matrices. Talanta 2021; 221:121624. [PMID: 33076152 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A membrane-based solid phase extraction (SPE)-ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of nine glucocorticoids in water. This new hybrid SPE approach involved the deposition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on a piece of polypropylene membrane that served as the extraction device. Hitherto, such a sample preparation procedure has not been applied to the analysis of water contaminants before. The use of the surfactant helped to disperse the MWCNTs effectively so that they were coated uniformly onto the polypropylene membrane. This increased the overall extraction efficiency of the procedure. Characterisation of the SDS-MWCNTs material was performed using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The membrane device did not require a pre-conditioning step. The most favourable extraction parameters such as type of surfactant, percentage of surfactant, type of desorption solvent, stirring rate, desorption time, extraction time, temperature, salting-out effect, pH and diameter of MWCNTs were obtained. The method showed linearity ranges from 0.2 to 100 ng mL-1 for hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, cortisone acetate and beclomethasone dipropionate, and 0.5-100 ng mL-1 for the rest of the analytes. Limits of detection ranging from 0.019 to 0.098 ng mL-1, and limits of quantification ranging from 0.065 to 0.326 ng mL-1, were obtained for the analytes. The intra-day repeatability was between 1.77 and 3.56% while the inter-day reproducibility was between 2.69 and 9.53%, respectively. The method was used to analyse glucocorticoids as contaminants in the canal water samples.
Collapse
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
| | - Esther Xue Yi Goh
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543, 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.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kassotis CD, Harkness JS, Vo PH, Vu DC, Hoffman K, Cinnamon KM, Cornelius-Green JN, Vengosh A, Lin CH, Tillitt DE, Kruse RL, McElroy JA, Nagel SC. Endocrine disrupting activities and geochemistry of water resources associated with unconventional oil and gas activity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:142236. [PMID: 33039138 PMCID: PMC7772064 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The rise of hydraulic fracturing and unconventional oil and gas (UOG) exploration in the United States has increased public concerns for water contamination induced from hydraulic fracturing fluids and associated wastewater spills. Herein, we collected surface and groundwater samples across Garfield County, Colorado, a drilling-dense region, and measured endocrine bioactivities, geochemical tracers of UOG wastewater, UOG-related organic contaminants in surface water, and evaluated UOG drilling production (weighted well scores, nearby well count, reported spills) surrounding sites. Elevated antagonist activities for the estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and glucocorticoid receptors were detected in surface water and associated with nearby shale gas well counts and density. The elevated endocrine activities were observed in surface water associated with medium and high UOG production (weighted UOG well score-based groups). These bioactivities were generally not associated with reported spills nearby, and often did not exhibit geochemical profiles associated with UOG wastewater from this region. Our results suggest the potential for releases of low-saline hydraulic fracturing fluids or chemicals used in other aspects of UOG production, similar to the chemistry of the local water, and dissimilar from defined spills of post-injection wastewater. Notably, water collected from certain medium and high UOG production sites exhibited bioactivities well above the levels known to impact the health of aquatic organisms, suggesting that further research to assess potential endocrine activities of UOG operations is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer S Harkness
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA
| | - Phuc H Vo
- Center for Agroforestry, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Danh C Vu
- Center for Agroforestry, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Faculty of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Katelyn M Cinnamon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jennifer N Cornelius-Green
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Avner Vengosh
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Chung-Ho Lin
- Center for Agroforestry, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Donald E Tillitt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Robin L Kruse
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jane A McElroy
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Susan C Nagel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Houtman CJ, Ten Broek R, van Oorschot Y, Kloes D, van der Oost R, Rosielle M, Lamoree MH. High resolution effect-directed analysis of steroid hormone (ant)agonists in surface and wastewater quality monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103460. [PMID: 32738293 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103460] [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: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of chemical water quality is extremely challenging due to the large variety of compounds and the presence of biologically active compounds with unknown chemical identity. Previously, we developed a high resolution Effect-Directed Analysis (EDA) platform that combines liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry and parallel bioassay detection. In this study, the platform is combined with CALUX bioassays for (anti)androgenic, estrogenic and glucocorticoid activities, and the performance of the platform is evaluated. It appeared to render very repeatable results, with high recoveries of spiked compounds and high consistency between the mass spectrometric and bioassay results. Application of the platform to wastewater treatment plant effluent and surface water samples led to the identification of several compounds contributing to the measured activities. Eventually, a workflow is proposed for the application of the platform in a routine monitoring context. The workflow divides the platform into four phases, of which one to all can be performed depending on the research question and the results obtained. This allows one to make a balance between the effort put into the platform and the certainty and depth by which active compounds will be identified. The EDA platform is a valuable tool to identify unknown bioactive compounds, both in an academic setting as in the context of legislative, governmental or routine monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corine J Houtman
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands.
| | - R Ten Broek
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Y van Oorschot
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - D Kloes
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - R van der Oost
- Department of Technology, Research and Engineering, Waternet Institute for the Urban Water Cycle, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Rosielle
- The Water Laboratory, P.O. Box 734, 2003 RS Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - M H Lamoree
- Department Environment & Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Neale PA, Grimaldi M, Boulahtouf A, Leusch FDL, Balaguer P. Assessing species-specific differences for nuclear receptor activation for environmental water extracts. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 185:116247. [PMID: 32758789 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116247] [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: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In vitro bioassays are increasingly applied to detect endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in environmental waters. Most studies use human nuclear receptor assays, but this raises questions about their relevance for evaluating ecosystem health. The current study aimed to assess species-specific differences in the activation or inhibition of a range of human and zebrafish nuclear receptors by different water extracts. Wastewater and surface water extracts were run in transactivation assays indicative of the estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), progesterone receptor (PR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), pregnane X receptor (PXR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). The transactivation assays were complemented with competitive binding assays for human AR, GR, PR and MR. In most cases, both human and zebrafish nuclear receptor activity were detected in the water extracts. Only some species-specific differences in potency and activity were observed. Water extracts were more active in zebrafish PXR compared to human PXR whereas the opposite was observed for PPARγ. Further, all water extracts inhibited zebrafish PR, while only one extract showed weak anti-progestagenic activity for human PR. Due to these observed differences, zebrafish nuclear receptor assays may be preferable over human nuclear receptor assays to assess the potential risks of EDCs to aquatic organisms. However, recognizing issues with availability of zebrafish nuclear receptor assays and the relatively small differences in responsiveness for many of the human and zebrafish nuclear receptors, including the widely studied ER, the current study supports the continued use of human nuclear receptor assays for water quality monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, 4222, Australia.
| | - Marina Grimaldi
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier 1, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Abdelhay Boulahtouf
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier 1, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Qld, 4222, Australia
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), Inserm U1194, Université Montpellier 1, Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), 34290 Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kassotis CD, Vandenberg LN, Demeneix BA, Porta M, Slama R, Trasande L. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: economic, regulatory, and policy implications. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2020; 8:719-730. [PMID: 32707119 PMCID: PMC7437819 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(20)30128-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) substantially cost society as a result of increases in disease and disability but-unlike other toxicant classes such as carcinogens-have yet to be codified into regulations as a hazard category. This Series paper examines economic, regulatory, and policy approaches to limit human EDC exposures and describes potential improvements. In the EU, general principles for EDCs call for minimisation of human exposure, identification as substances of very high concern, and ban on use in pesticides. In the USA, screening and testing programmes are focused on oestrogenic EDCs exclusively, and regulation is strictly risk-based. Minimisation of human exposure is unlikely without a clear overarching definition for EDCs and relevant pre-marketing test requirements. We call for a multifaceted international programme (eg, modelled on the International Agency for Research in Cancer) to address the effects of EDCs on human health-an approach that would proactively identify hazards for subsequent regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Barbara A Demeneix
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7221, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Université Paris-Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - Miquel Porta
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, PSMAR, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain; School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Remy Slama
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, U1209, CNRS, UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine, and Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; NYU College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ruiz D, Padmanabhan V, Sargis RM. Stress, Sex, and Sugar: Glucocorticoids and Sex-Steroid Crosstalk in the Sex-Specific Misprogramming of Metabolism. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa087. [PMID: 32734132 PMCID: PMC7382384 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life exposures to environmental insults can misprogram development and increase metabolic disease risk in a sex-dependent manner by mechanisms that remain poorly characterized. Modifiable factors of increasing public health relevance, such as diet, psychological stress, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can affect glucocorticoid receptor signaling during gestation and lead to sex-specific postnatal metabolic derangements. Evidence from humans and animal studies indicate that glucocorticoids crosstalk with sex steroids by several mechanisms in multiple tissues and can affect sex-steroid-dependent developmental processes. Nonetheless, glucocorticoid sex-steroid crosstalk has not been considered in the glucocorticoid-induced misprogramming of metabolism. Herein we review what is known about the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids crosstalk with estrogen, androgen, and progestogen action. We propose that glucocorticoid sex-steroid crosstalk is an understudied mechanism of action that requires consideration when examining the developmental misprogramming of metabolism, especially when assessing sex-specific outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ruiz
- Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Robert M Sargis
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism; Department of Medicine; University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Chicago Center for Health and Environment, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Brennan JC, Gale RW, Alvarez DA, Berninger JP, Leet JK, Li Y, Wagner T, Tillitt DE. Factors Affecting Sampling Strategies for Design of an Effects-Directed Analysis for Endocrine-Active Chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1309-1324. [PMID: 32362034 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Effects-directed analysis (EDA) is an important tool for identifying unknown bioactive components in a complex mixture. Such an analysis of endocrine-active chemicals (EACs) from water sources has promising regulatory implications but also unique logistical challenges. We propose a conceptual EDA (framework) based on a critical review of EDA literature and concentrations of common EACs in waste and surface waters. Required water volumes for identification of EACs under this EDA framework were estimated based on bioassay performance (in vitro and in vivo bioassays), limits of quantification by mass spectrometry (MS), and EAC water concentrations. Sample volumes for EDA across the EACs showed high variation in the bioassay detectors, with genistein, bisphenol A, and androstenedione requiring very high sample volumes and ethinylestradiol and 17β-trenbolone requiring low sample volumes. Sample volume based on the MS detector was far less variable across the EACs. The EDA framework equation was rearranged to calculate detector "thresholds," and these thresholds were compared with the literature EAC water concentrations to evaluate the feasibility of the EDA framework. In the majority of instances, feasibility of the EDA was limited by the bioassay, not MS detection. Mixed model analysis showed that the volumes required for a successful EDA were affected by the potentially responsible EAC, detection methods, and the water source type, with detection method having the greatest effect on the EDA of estrogens and androgens. The EDA framework, equation, and model we present provide a valuable tool for designing a successful EDA. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1309-1324. © 2020 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Brennan
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Robert W Gale
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - David A Alvarez
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Jason P Berninger
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Jessica K Leet
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Yan Li
- North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tyler Wagner
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, US Geological Survey, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Donald E Tillitt
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ito-Harashima S, Matano M, Onishi K, Nomura T, Nakajima S, Ebata S, Shiizaki K, Kawanishi M, Yagi T. Construction of reporter gene assays using CWP and PDR mutant yeasts for enhanced detection of various sex steroids. Genes Environ 2020; 42:20. [PMID: 32514322 PMCID: PMC7251871 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-020-00159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sex steroid hormone receptors are classified into three classes of receptors: estrogen receptors (ER) α and β, androgen receptor (AR), and progesterone receptor (PR). They belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily and activate their downstream genes in a ligand-dependent manner. Since sex steroid hormones are involved in a wide variety of physiological processes and cancer development, synthetic chemical substances that exhibit sex steroid hormone activities have been applied as pharmaceuticals and consumed in large amounts worldwide. They are potentially hazardous contaminants as endocrine disruptors in the environment because they may induce inappropriate gene expression mediated by sex steroid hormone receptors in vivo. Results To develop simple reporter gene assays with enhanced sensitivity for the detection of sex steroid hormones, we newly established mutant yeast strains lacking the CWP and PDR genes encoding cell wall mannoproteins and plasma membrane drug efflux pumps, respectively, and expressing human ERα, ERβ, AR, and PR. Reporter gene assays with mutant yeast strains responded to endogenous and synthetic ligands more strongly than those with wild-type strains. Sex steroid hormone activities in some pharmaceutical oral tablets and human urine were also detectable in these yeast assays. Conclusions Yeast reporter gene assay systems for all six steroid hormone receptors, including previously established glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) assay yeasts, are now available. Environmental endocrine disrupters with steroid hormone activity will be qualitatively detectable by simple and easy procedures. The yeast-based reporter gene assay will be valuable as a primary screening tool to detect and evaluate steroid hormone activities in various test samples. Our assay system will strongly support the detection of agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists of steroid hormone receptors in the field of novel drug discovery and assessments of environmental pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayoko Ito-Harashima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Mami Matano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Kana Onishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Tomofumi Nomura
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Saki Nakajima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Shingo Ebata
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Shiizaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan.,Present address: Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma 374-0193 Japan
| | - Masanobu Kawanishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| | - Takashi Yagi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-2 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8570 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Jones RR, Stavreva DA, Weyer PJ, Varticovski L, Inoue-Choi M, Medgyesi DN, Chavis N, Graubard BI, Cain T, Wichman M, Beane Freeman LE, Hager GL, Ward MH. Pilot study of global endocrine disrupting activity in Iowa public drinking water utilities using cell-based assays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136317. [PMID: 32018941 PMCID: PMC8459208 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Some anthropogenic substances in drinking water are known or suspected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), but EDCs are not routinely measured. We conducted a pilot study of 10 public drinking water utilities in Iowa, where common contaminants (e.g., pesticides) are suspected EDCs. Raw (untreated) and finished (treated) drinking water samples were collected in spring and fall and concentrated using solid phase extraction. We assessed multiple endocrine disrupting activities using novel mammalian cell-based assays that express nuclear steroid receptors (aryl hydrocarbon [AhR], androgenic [AR], thyroid [TR], estrogenic [ER] and glucocorticoid [GR]). We quantified each receptor's activation relative to negative controls and compared activity by season and utility/sample characteristics. Among 62 samples, 69% had AhR, 52% AR, 3% TR, 2% ER, and 0% GR activity. AhR and AR activities were detected more frequently in spring (p =0 .002 and < 0.001, respectively). AR activity was more common in samples of raw water (p =0 .02) and from surface water utilities (p =0 .05), especially in fall (p =0 .03). Multivariable analyses suggested spring season, surface water, and nitrate and disinfection byproduct concentrations as determinants of bioactivity. Our results demonstrate that AR and AhR activities are commonly found in Iowa drinking water, and that their detection varies by season and utility/sample characteristics. Screening EDCs with cell-based bioassays holds promise for characterizing population exposure to diverse EDCs mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rena R Jones
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Diana A Stavreva
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peter J Weyer
- Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Lyuba Varticovski
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Maki Inoue-Choi
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Danielle N Medgyesi
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Nicole Chavis
- Milken Institute of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Barry I Graubard
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Terence Cain
- State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Michael Wichman
- State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gordon L Hager
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Medlock Kakaley E, Cardon MC, Gray LE, Hartig PC, Wilson VS. Generalized Concentration Addition Model Predicts Glucocorticoid Activity Bioassay Responses to Environmentally Detected Receptor-Ligand Mixtures. Toxicol Sci 2020; 168:252-263. [PMID: 30535411 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Many glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists have been detected in waste and surface waters domestically and around the world, but the way a mixture of these environmental compounds may elicit a total glucocorticoid activity response in water samples remains unknown. Therefore, we characterized 19 GR ligands using a CV1 cell line transcriptional activation assay applicable to water quality monitoring. Cells were treated with individual GR ligands, a fixed ratio mixture of full or partial agonists, or a nonequipotent mixture with full and partial agonists. Efficacy varied (48.09%-102.5%) and potency ranged over several orders of magnitude (1.278 × 10-10 to 3.93 × 10-8 M). Concentration addition (CA) and response addition (RA) mixtures models accurately predicted equipotent mixture responses of full agonists (r2 = 0.992 and 0.987, respectively). However, CA and RA models assume mixture compounds produce full agonist-like responses, and therefore they overestimated observed maximal efficacies for mixtures containing partial agonists. The generalized concentration addition (GCA) model mathematically permits < 100% maximal responses, and fell within the 95% confidence interval bands of mixture responses containing partial agonists. The GCA, but not CA and RA, model predictions of nonequipotent mixtures containing both full and partial agonists fell within the same statistical distribution as the observed values, reinforcing the practicality of the GCA model as the best overall model for predicting GR activation. Elucidating the mechanistic basis of GR activation by mixtures of previously detected environmental GR ligands will benefit the interpretation of environmental sample contents in future water quality monitoring studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Medlock Kakaley
- *U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxicity Assessment Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Curriculum in Toxicology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Mary C Cardon
- *U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxicity Assessment Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - L Earl Gray
- *U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxicity Assessment Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Phillip C Hartig
- *U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxicity Assessment Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Vickie S Wilson
- *U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Toxicity Assessment Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Brunner AM, Bertelkamp C, Dingemans MML, Kolkman A, Wols B, Harmsen D, Siegers W, Martijn BJ, Oorthuizen WA, Ter Laak TL. Integration of target analyses, non-target screening and effect-based monitoring to assess OMP related water quality changes in drinking water treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 705:135779. [PMID: 31818566 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The ever-increasing production and use of chemicals lead to the occurrence of organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) in drinking water sources, and consequently the need for their removal during drinking water treatment. Due to the sheer number of OMPs, monitoring using targeted chemical analyses alone is not sufficient to assess drinking water quality as well as changes thereof during treatment. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) based non-target screening (NTS) as well as effect-based monitoring using bioassays are promising monitoring tools for a more complete assessment of water quality and treatment performance. Here, we developed a strategy that integrates data from chemical target analyses, NTS and bioassays. We applied it to the assessment of OMP related water quality changes at three drinking water treatment pilot installations. These installations included advanced oxidation processes, ultrafiltration in combination with reverse osmosis, and granular activated carbon filtration. OMPs relevant for the drinking water sector were spiked into the water treated in these installations. Target analyses, NTS and bioassays were performed on samples from all three installations. The NTS data was screened for predicted and known transformation products of the spike-in compounds. In parallel, trend profiles of NTS features were evaluated using multivariate analysis methods. Through integration of the chemical data with the biological effect-based results potential toxicity was accounted for during prioritization. Together, the synergy of the three analytical methods allowed the monitoring of OMPs and transformation products, as well as the integrative biological effects of the mixture of chemicals. Through efficient analysis, visualization and interpretation of complex data, the developed strategy enabled to assess water quality and the impact of water treatment from multiple perspectives. Such information could not be obtained by any of the three methods alone. The developed strategy thereby provides drinking water companies with an integrative tool for comprehensive water quality assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bas Wols
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Danny Harmsen
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Wolter Siegers
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Thomas L Ter Laak
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Univerisity of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Spina F, Gea M, Bicchi C, Cordero C, Schilirò T, Varese GC. Ecofriendly laccases treatment to challenge micropollutants issue in municipal wastewaters. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 257:113579. [PMID: 31810716 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a multidisciplinary approach investigated the enzymatic degradation of micropollutants in real, not modified, municipal wastewaters of a plant located in Italy. Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction combined to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric detection (SBSE-GC-MS) was applied to profile targeted pollutants in wastewaters collected after the primary sedimentation (W1) and the final effluent (W2). Fifteen compounds were detected at ng/L - μg/L, including pesticides, personal care products (PCPs) and drugs. The most abundant micropollutants were bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diethyl phthalate and ketoprofen. Laccases of Trametes pubescens MUT 2400 were very active against all the target micropollutants: except few cases, their concentration was reduced more than 60%. Chemical analysis and environmental risk do not always come together. To verify whether the treated wastewaters can represent a stressor for the aquatic ecosystem, toxicity was also evaluated. Raphidocelis subcapitata and Lepidium sativum tests showed a clear ecotoxicity reduction, even though they did not evenly respond. Two in vitro tests (E-screen test and MELN assay) were used to evaluate the estrogenic activity. Treatments already operating in the plant (e.g. activated sludge) partially reduced the estradiol equivalent concentration, and it was almost negligible after the laccases treatment. The results of this study suggest that laccases of T. pubescens are promising biocatalysts for the micropollutants transformation in wastewaters and surface waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Spina
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Gea
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia, 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Carlo Bicchi
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordero
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schilirò
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia, 94, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cristina Varese
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|