Estrogens in municipal wastewater and receiving waters in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China: Occurrence and risk assessment of mixtures

Abstract

The potentially high release of estrogens to surface waters as a result of high population density and local livestock production in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region may pose adverse effects on the reproductive systems of aquatic organisms. This study found that total measured concentrations of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17αethinylestradiol (EE2) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) were 468±27.2 ng/L in treated wastewater and 219±23 ng/L in river waters in this region. E2, E3 and EE2 were the predominant estrogens in river waters. The restriction of DES for human use should have been enforced, however concentrations of DES were relatively high compared to other studies. It has been estimated that the Haihe and Yongdingxin Rivers deliver approximately 1.8 tonnes of ∑estrogens to the Bohai Bay annually. Concentrations of individual estrogens were significantly higher in river waters in the dry season, however, mass loadings were significantly higher in the wet season. The E2-equivalent concentrations (EEQ) reached 1.2±0.16 and 0.64±0.08 µg-E2/L following long-term and short-term exposure estimates, respectively, in river waters with an average EE2 contribution of over 90%. This could potentially give rise to high risks to fish populations. The presence of estrogens in river waters largely derive from human excretion. Field studies on estrogenic effects on fish reproductive systems are required in this region as a result of high estrogen contamination levels.

Benzophenones and synthetic progestin in wastewater and sediment from farms, WWTPs and receiving surface water: distribution, sources, and ecological risks

“…For example, Yao et al detected a high concentration of EDCs with a range of 0.85–2619 ng g −1 ww in wild fishes from two major rivers in China; 45 Kei et al also found a high concentration of EE2 in receiving river of swine-raising facilities. 46 BP-3 and EE2 as an indicator of contaminant loading should be included in future water monitoring programs to provide information support for the formulation of relevant regulations.…”

Far-Less Studied Natural Estrogens as Ignored Emerging Contaminants in Surface Water: Insights from Their Occurrence in the Pearl River, South China

“…It appears from the discussion presented above that the most efficient way to mitigate natural estrogens is to enhance their removal in municipal WWTPs. , In addition, it should be noted that the concentration of total natural estrogens of S24 was found to be as high as 36.6 ng/L, while this high concentration was unlikely to be caused by the discharge of municipal WWTP effluent. In fact, S24 was the farthest downstream sampling site, and there was no municipal WWTP near this site, implying the other inputs of natural estrogens, likely due to pollution diffusion or discharge of the untreated municipal wastewater. − …”

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in water and recent advances on their detection using electrochemical biosensors

“…62 Moreover, the maximum permissible standard of 7000 pg mL −1 for 4-NP in ocean water was confirmed by the USPEA to ensure the normal growth of most marine animals. 64 Lei et al 65 investigated several estrogens (i.e., E1, E2, E3, EE2, and DES) in water samples from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, of which the total concentration in wastewater was 0.468 ± 0.0272 ng mL −1 and was 0.219 ± 0.023 ng mL −1 in river water. Natural or synthetic estrogens have negative effects on surface waters, particularly for fish species.…”