Temperature modulates estrone degradation and biological effects of exposure in fathead minnows

Abstract

• Estrone and effluent temperature interact to affect fish with unknown consequences.• Identified effects of temperature on E1 degradation in wastewater and exposed fish.• Ran nitrification experiments and fish estrone exposures at multiple temperatures.• Cooler temperatures slowled E1 degradation and produced sex-specific effects in fish.• Seasonal variation modifies E1 degradation in wastewater and E1 exposure in fish. Environmental pollutants, including estrogens, are widespread in aquatic environments frequently as a result of treated wastewater effluent discharged. Exposure to estrogens has been correlated with disruption of the normal physiological and reproductive function in aquatic organisms, which could impair the sustainability of exposed populations. However, assessing the effects of estrogen exposure on individuals is complicated by the fact that rates of chemical uptake and environmental degradation are temperature dependent. Because annual temperature regimes often coincide with critical periods of biological activity, temperature-dependent changes in estrogen degradation efficacy during wastewater treatment could modulate biological effects. We examined the interactions between ambient water temperature and degradation of estrone (E1) during wastewater treatment. In addition, we exposed mature fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to three environmentally relevant concentrations of E1 at four different water temperatures (15°C, 18°C, 21°C, and 24°C) to reflect natural seasonal variation. E1 degradation occurred with and without the support of robust nitrification at all temperatures; however, the onset of E1 degradation was delayed at cooler water temperatures. In addition, we observed significant interactive effects between temperature and E1 exposure. Female morphometric endpoints were more susceptible to temperature-modulating effects while physiological endpoints were more strongly affected in males. Collectively, the data demonstrate that natural seasonal fluctuations in temperature are sufficient to affect E1 degradation during wastewater treatment and induce sex-dependent physiological and anatomical changes in exposed fish. G R A P H I C

Linking Trace Organic Contaminants in On‐Site Wastewater‐Treatment Discharge with Biological Effects

“…Liver and gonad tissues were placed in histocassettes and stored in 10% buffered formalin. Tissues were processed using the same procedures as in Cox et al (2018). Liver tissue was analyzed for vacuolation, and gonadal tissue was analyzed for maturity.…”

“…Liver tissue was analyzed for vacuolation, and gonadal tissue was analyzed for maturity. Analytical methods also followed the procedure used in Cox et al (2018). Whole blood was collected from the caudal vasculature with a heparinized capillary tube.…”

“…Liver tissue was analyzed for vacuolation, and gonadal tissue was analyzed for maturity. Analytical methods also followed the procedure used in Cox et al (2018). Vitellogenin concentrations in sunfish were calculated using an ELISA using purified sunfish vitellogenin and validated vitellogenin antibodies.…”

Impact of Estrogens Present in Environment on Health and Welfare of Animals

“…Another important aspect may be the positive correlation between the strength of the interaction of these compounds and the environmental temperature. That is due to the link between environmental temperature and ectotherms metabolic rate [41] which in the era of global climate change may additionally increase the negative effects of the exposure of these vertebrates to estrogens. It also should be noted that Cox (negative temperature-estrogens effect correlation) and Korsgaard (positive temperature-estrogens effect correlation) have obtained opposite results in their studies [42].…”

Recognition and Selectivity Analysis Monitoring of Multicomponent Steroid Estrogen Mixtures in Complex Systems Using a Group-Targeting Environmental Sensor

“…This type of environmental estrogen, as a large category of environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs), , exhibits high estrogenic activity, strong bioaccumulation toxicity, carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption, and therefore, it is a highly concerning problem of environmental pollution. , The multicomponent steroid estrogen mixtures (multi-SEs), containing natural and synthetic 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and ethinyl estradiol (EE2), have a stronger and higher estrogenic effect on living organisms than most EDCs. , They have similar structure, physical and chemical properties, and coexist with other substances. Toxicological reports have shown that multi-SEs could lead to the feminization of male rainbow gill. , Due to long-term incomplete removal and persistence, multi-SEs in aqueous solution are characterized by ultralow concentrations of nanomolar or even lower, but there are still serious chemical pollutions and ecological hazards. , Therefore, to protect the environment, the foremost is to develop methods for recognizing the multicomponent steroid estrogen mixtures in the environment, thus providing an important reference for the environmental risk assessment and management.…”