Dissolved organic matter and estrogen interactions regulate estrogen removal in the aqueous environment: A review

Abstract

This review summarizes the characterization and quantification of interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and estrogens as well as the effects of DOM on aquatic estrogen removal. DOM interacts with estrogens via binding or sorption mechanisms like π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding. The binding affinity is evaluated in terms of organic-carbon-normalized sorption coefficient (Log K) which varies with types and composition of DOM. DOM has been suggested to be a more efficient sorbent compared with other matrices, such as suspended particulate matter, sediment and soil; likely associated with its large surface area and concentrated carbon content. As a photosensitizer, DOM enhanced estrogen photodegradation when the concentration of DOM was below a threshold value, and when above, the acceleration effect was not observed. DOM played a dual role in affecting biodegradation of estrogens depending on the recalcitrance of the DOM and the nutrition status of the degraders. DOM also acted as an electron shuttle (redox mediator) mediating the degradation of estrogens. DOM hindered enzyme-catalyzed removal of estrogens while enhanced their transformation during the simultaneous photo-enzymatic process. Membrane rejection of estrogens was pronounced for hydrophobic DOM with high aromaticity and phenolic moiety content. Elimination of estrogens via photolysis, biodegradation, enzymolysis and membrane rejection in the presence of DOM is initiated by sorption, accentuating the role of DOM as a mediator in regulating aquatic estrogen removal.

Toxicity of single steroid hormones and their mixtures toward the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

“…Many studies have confirmed that the difference in the toxicity of endocrinedisrupting chemicals varies widely between species (Perron and Juneau 2011;Salomao et al 2014;Xiang et al 2018). Environmental levels of hormones in typical lakes and rivers from different countries fluctuate in the range of ng L −1 (Adeel et al 2017;Ma and Yates 2018). The ecological risk of these compounds can be assessed by comparing the measured environmental concentrations and the EC 50 values obtained in this study.…”

Recent Progress on Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework-Involved Hybrid Materials for Rapid Determination of Contaminants in Environment and Food

“…Estrogens can offer the risks because they act as endocrine disruptors (EDCs) resulting in fish feminization [190] and influencing plant or human health. Estrogens are excreted through urine, primarily [191]. The investigation of estrogens and their analogues in human urine has become indispensable for the health of women due to the above reasons.…”

Effect of Anion Surfactants on the Adsorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Sediment under Estuarine Mix Conditions

“…Hence, the migration of phenanthrene in natural freshwater may be dominated by some geochemical factors. The dissolved organic matter in the sediment might be the main factor that affects the transfer of those pollutants [63][64]. The adsorption process mainly occurred between the organic matter on the sediment and the phenanthrene in 0-2 h. While with the organic matter escaping from sediment in stirring conditions [65][66], the phenanthrene adsorbed onto the organic matter enter the water phase again in 2-24 h (Fig.…”