Sources of endocrine‐disrupting compounds in North Carolina waterways: A geographic information systems approach

Abstract

The presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), particularly estrogenic compounds, in the environment has drawn public attention across the globe, yet a clear understanding of the extent and distribution of estrogenic EDCs in surface waters and their relationship to potential sources is lacking. The objective of the present study was to identify and examine the potential input of estrogenic EDC sources in North Carolina water bodies using a geographic information system (GIS) mapping and analysis approach. Existing data from state and federal agencies were used to create point and nonpoint source maps depicting the cumulative contribution of potential sources of estrogenic EDCs to North Carolina surface waters. Water was collected from 33 sites (12 associated with potential point sources, 12 associated with potential nonpoint sources, and 9 reference), to validate the predictive results of the GIS analysis. Estrogenicity (measured as 17β-estradiol equivalence) ranged from 0.06 ng/L to 56.9 ng/L. However, the majority of sites (88%) had water 17β-estradiol concentrations below 1 ng/L. Sites associated with point and nonpoint sources had significantly higher 17β-estradiol levels than reference sites. The results suggested that water 17β-estradiol was reflective of GIS predictions, confirming the relevance of landscape-level influences on water quality and validating the GIS approach to characterize such relationships.

Uterine Cancer Mortality in White and African American Females in Southeastern North Carolina

“…Furthermore, hog waste is minimally treated [ 17 , 18 ], and it is often spread from the lagoons to agricultural land as a source of the nutrients for crops. This can lead to contamination of soil, surface water, and groundwater with EDCs [ 19 – 22 ]. While recent techniques were proposed for substantially decreasing estrogens levels in livestock manure [ 63 , 64 ], more available techniques are still on a high demand.…”

“…Elevated concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been detected in swine manure [ 15 – 18 ], and elevated levels of estrogens were detected in waters surrounding hog CAFOs [ 19 – 22 ]. While epidemiological studies have reported relationships between EDCs and endometrial cancer [ 23 – 27 ], the specific associations with uterine cancer risk among females living in close proximity to hog CAFOs remain understudied.…”

Survival and Contaminants in Imperiled and Common Riverine Fishes Assessed with an In Situ Bioassay Approach

“…Eight riverine sites located along the Yadkin-Pee Dee River in North Carolina (5 sites) and South Carolina (3 sites), USA, were selected for in situ bioassays (Figure 1). Sites exhibited varying levels of anthropogenic influence, land use, and habitat types (Sackett et al 2015). They were selected to represent the longitudinal river continuum and for availability of boat access and adequate depth and flow to maintain suitable dissolved oxygen and food items to flow through the fish enclosure.…”

Endocrine Disruption and Reproductive Pathology

“…Our intersex studies in North Carolina river systems began with mapping out sources of EACs across the state using a geographic information system approach. 146 Once the various land uses were defined and categorized, statewide assessments were begun to correlate the intersex condition in male North Carolina fishes with the presence of EACs of various classes. 130,133 Collection sites were initially selected as follows: 8 point sources, defined by direct discharge into water; 9 nonpoint sources with indirect diffusion into water; and 3 reference sites, with no apparent discharge upstream (Figure 13).…”