Effect-directed
analysis was used to identify previously unidentified
aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists in sediments collected from
a highly industrialized area of Ulsan Bay, Korea. The specific objectives
were to (i) investigate potent fractions of sediment extracts using
the H4IIE-luc bioassay, (ii) determine the concentrations
of known AhR agonists (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and
styrene oligomers (SOs)), (iii) identify previously unreported AhR
agonists in fractions by use of GC-QTOFMS, and (iv) evaluate contributions
of individual compounds to overall AhR-mediated potencies, found primarily
in fractions containing aromatics with log K
ow 5–8. Greater concentrations of PAHs and SOs were
also found in those fractions. On the basis of GC-QTOFMS and GC-MSD
analyses, 16 candidates for AhR agonists were identified in extracts
of sediments. Of these, seven compounds, including 1-methylchrysene,
benzo[j]fluoranthene, 3-methylchrysene, 5-methylbenz[a]anthracene, 11H-benzo[b]fluorene, benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]furan, and benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene, exhibited significant AhR activity. Relative potency
values of newly identified AhR agonists were found to be greater than
or comparable to that of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The
potency balance analysis showed that newly identified AhR agonists
explained 0.07–16% of bioassay-derived BaP-EQs. These chemicals
were widely distributed in industrial sediments; thus, it is of immediate
importance to conduct studies on sources and potential effects of
those chemicals.
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