Preliminary survey of estrogenic activity in part of waters in Haihe River, Tianjin

Abstract

A preliminary survey of estrogenic activity of the contaminant in part of waters (Ziya River and the estuary of Haihe River) in Haihe River, Tianjin has been performed with the plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) in feral fish as a biomarker for estrogenic activity. The concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and 4-nonylphenol (NP) in surface water were also determined. The presence of Vtg in male fish plasma as well as that in female can be detected at different sites and different seasons. The results indicate that the water in the sampling sites was contaminated by some estrogenic compounds. Although BPA, OP and NP can be detected in all of the water samples, their concentrations were much lower than the effective concentrations for those chemicals to induce Vtg production in male fish.

Measurement of the free concentrations of alkyl phenols and bisphenol A to determine their biodegradation kinetics by activated sludge

“…Alkyl phenols and bisphenol A are widely used in China, which have been considered as important endocrine disrupting chemicals [1,2] . During the production and application of those chemicals, certain quantity of alkyl phenols and bisphenol A have entered into the sewage treatment plants (STP) [3,4] .…”