Mapping multiple endocrine disrupting activities in Virginia rivers using effect-based assays

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.