Endocrine Disruptor Impacts on Fish From Chile: The Influence of Wastewaters

Abstract

Industrial wastewaters and urban discharges contain complex mixtures of chemicals capable of impacting reproductive performance in freshwater fish, called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). In Chile, the issue was highlighted by our group beginning over 15 years ago, by analyzing the impacts of pulp and paper mill effluents (PPME) in the Biobio, Itata, and Cruces River basins. All of the rivers studied are important freshwater ecosystems located in the Mediterranean region of Central Chile, each with a unique fish biodiversity. Sequentially, we developed a strategy based on laboratory assays, semicontrolled-field experiments (e.g., caging) and wild fish population assessments to explore the issue of reproductive impacts on both introduced and native fish in Chile. The integration of watershed, field, and laboratory studies was effective at understanding the endocrine responses in Chilean freshwater systems. The studies demonstrated that regardless of the type of treatment, pulp mill effluents can contain compounds capable of impacting endocrine systems. Urban wastewater treatment plant effluents (WWTP) were also investigated using the same integrated strategy. Although not directly compared, PPME and WWTP effluent seem to cause similar estrogenic effects in fish after waterborne exposure, with differing intensities. This body of work underscores the urgent need for further studies on the basic biology of Chilean native fish species, and an improved understanding on reproductive development and variability across Chilean ecosystems. The lack of knowledge of the ontogeny of Chilean fish, especially maturation and sexual development, with an emphasis on associated habitats and landscapes, are impediment factors for their conservation and protection against the threat of EDCs. The assessment of effects on native species in the receiving environment is critical for supporting and designing protective regulations and remediation strategies, and for conserving the unique Chilean fish biodiversity.

Widespread Surveillance of Emerging Contaminants in the Yamuna River Basin: Evaluation of Surface Water, Sediments, Groundwater, and Aquatic Plants

“…Such high concentrations were reported in wastewater samples. , Apart from estrone, 17β-estradiol (135.9 to 2552.1 ng/L) and ethinyl estradiol (368.5 to 1162.7 ng/L) were also detected at high concentrations. Studies have confirmed their presence in a variety of surface waters around the world. − The continuous exposure to hormones has known to cause endocrine disruption in aquatic living forms . Progesterone and testosterone were present at much lower concentrations, ranging from not detected to 169.8 ng/L at all the sampling sites.…”

“…37−39 The continuous exposure to hormones has known to cause endocrine disruption in aquatic living forms. 40 Progesterone and testosterone were present at much lower concentrations, ranging from not detected to 169.8 ng/L at all the sampling sites. Both the hormones are known to have halflives of few hours in biologically active systems.…”

Application of biofilters developed under different influent characteristics in attenuating emerging contaminants from wastewater

“…The occurrence of pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs) and hormones in domestic sewage has been extensively studied by researchers. [1][2][3] Varying levels of biodegradability lead to varying levels of removals of PPCPs in conventional wastewater treatment processes. Only a few of the pharmaceuticals such as anti-inflammatory drugs are easily degradable in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).…”

Endocrine Disruption Is Reduced but Still Widespread in Wild Roach (Rutilus rutilus) Living in English Rivers

“…Endocrine disruption in fish arising from exposure to chemicals emanating from wastewater treatment works (WwTW) effluents has been under investigation since the 1990s. The original study in the United Kingdom identified elevated concentrations of a female egg yolk precursor, vitellogenin (VTG), in the plasma of caged male rainbow trout exposed to WwTW effluent, and the studies that followed showed the tissue level effects in fish living downstream of WwTW outfalls or in fish experimentally exposed to WwTW effluents. − In those studies, normally gonochoristic fish species displayed intersex phenotypes whereby the gonadal tissue contains both developing eggs and sperm, and/or the fish had reproductive duct abnormalities, i.e., oviducts present simultaneously with sperm ducts. , The intersex condition and elevated VTG plasma concentrations/gene expression in male fish have now been reported in wild fish populations globally. − Furthermore, fish with high levels of intersex have been shown to be adversely impacted, with altered gamete maturation and reduced reproductive success. ,− …”