Sediments in the mangrove areas contribute to the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals in coastal sediments of Macau SAR, China, and harbour microbial communities capable of degrading E2, EE2, BPA and BPS

Abstract

The occurrence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a major issue for marine and coastal environments in the proximity of urban areas. The occurrence of EDCs in the Pearl River Delta region is well documented but specific data related to Macao is unavailable. The levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (αE2), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) were measured in sediment samples collected along the coastline of Macao.BPA was found in all 45 collected samples with lower BPA concentrations associated to the presence of mangrove trees.Biodegradation assays were performed to evaluate the capacity of the microbial communities of the surveyed ecosystems to degrade BPA and its analogue BPS. Using sediments collected at a WWTP discharge point as inoculum, at a concentration of 2 mg l -1 complete removal of BPA was observed within 6 days, whereas for the same concentration BPS removal was of 95% after10 days, which is particularly interesting since this compound is considered recalcitrant to biodegradation and likely to accumulate in the environment. Supplementation with BPA improved the degradation of bisphenol-S (BPS). Aiming at the isolation of EDCs-degrading bacteria, enrichments were established with sediments supplied with BPA, BPS, E2 and EE2, which led to the isolation of a bacterial strain, identified as Rhodoccoccus sp.ED55, able to degrade the four compounds at different extents. The isolated strain represents a valuable candidate for bioremediation of contaminated soils and waters.

Modified polymer membranes for the removal of pharmaceutical active compounds in wastewater and its mechanism-A review

“…In wastewater treatment plants of 282 municipal wastewater treatment plants across 29 countries, 17α-ethinylestradiol in influent and effluent is up to 7890 and 549 ng L −1 [ 51 ]. Still in wastewater treatment plants also, similarly, a previous study in Macao, China, presented that 17α-ethinylestradiol has been detected up to 0.96 ng g −1 in the wastewater treatment plant, 0.35 ng g −1 dw in the ecological zone, 0.48 ng g −1 dw in Taipa, and 0.38 ng g −1 dw in an industrial area [ 52 ]. Other estrogen particulate concentrations, such as estrone, 17β-estradiol, and estriol, were inspected up to 14.4 ng g −1 , 16.6 ng g −1 , and 37.5 ng g −1 in the SPM of Yangzi River in China [ 53 ].…”

Biodegradation and Metabolic Pathway of 17β-Estradiol by Rhodococcus sp. ED55

“…The E2 degrading strain ED55 was previously isolated from sediments of a discharge point of a WWTP in Coloane (Macau) for their capacity to degrade EDCs, when supplied as a sole source of carbon [ 24 ]. Strain ED55 morphology was examined by light microscopy, which revealed rod-shaped cells.…”

“…The E2 degrading strain named ED55 was previously isolated after the enrichment of sediments of a discharge point of a WWTP in Coloane, Macau [ 24 ]. In order to obtain the complete sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, genomic DNA extraction and further amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed as described elsewhere [ 37 ].…”

Occurrence, removal efficiency and exposure assessment of bisphenols in drinking water treatment plants

“…6 During the life cycle of products, BPA is inevitably released into the environment, while an increasing number of studies have found that BPA is detected in various environmental media and even in human bodies. [7][8][9][10] Exposure to BPA can cause adverse health effects in animals and humans, including diabetes, reproductive diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. 4,[11][12][13][14] Therefore, laws and regulations have been enacted in the European Union, the United States, and China to restrict or prohibit the use of BPA.…”