Estrogenic activity and ecological risk of steroids, bisphenol A and phthalates after secondary and tertiary sewage treatment processes

Guo, Wei; Li, Jun; Luo, Mingyue; Mao, Yan; Yu, Xiaojing; Elskens, Marc; Baeyens, Willy; Gao, Yue

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2022.118189

Cited by 49 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 77 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The estrogenic binding activity of wastewater samples was characterized using E 2 -binding activity equivalent (E 2 -BAE). As shown in Figure e, the influent and effluent samples were 35–128 and 0–9.8 ng/L E 2 -BAE, respectively, which was similar to the previously reported results from WWTPs in China, European, and America. − The estrogenic binding activities of influent samples were significantly lower than that of effluent samples, which could be attributed to the high removal efficiency of estrogen-active compounds during the biodegradation process, such as 89% E 2 . In addition, the estrogenic binding activities of wastewater samples without SPE were slightly higher than those with SPE, which was easy to understand since there may be some loss during the extraction and elution process, and the two results exhibited a good linear relationship (broken lines in Figure e), illustrating that the developed SPR biosensor could accurately and reliably detect estrogenic binding activity in complex wastewater samples without the need for enrichment.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

An Ultrasensitive and Universal Surface Plasmonic Biosensor for Detection of Micropollutants in Aquatic Environments

Tan

Dai

Zhou

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Simple yet ultrasensitive and accurate quantification of a variety of analytical targets by virtue of a universal sensing device holds promise to revolutionize environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and food safety. Here, we propose a novel optical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system in which the frequency-shifted light of different polarizations returned the laser cavity to stimulate laser heterodyne feedback interferometry (LHFI), hence amplifying the reflectivity change caused by the refractive index (RI) variations on the gold-coated SPR chip surface. In addition, the s-polarized light was further used as the reference to compensate the noise of the LHFI-amplified SPR system, resulting in nearly 3 orders of magnitude enhancement of RI resolution (5.9 × 10–8 RIU) over the original SPR system (2.0 × 10–5 RIU). By exploiting nucleic acids, antibodies, and receptors as recognition materials, a variety of micropollutants were detected with ultralow detection limits, ranging from a toxic metal ion (Hg2+, 70 ng/L) to a group of commonly occurring biotoxin (microcystins, 3.9 ng microcystin-LR/L) and a class of environmental endocrine disruptors (estrogens, 0.7 ng 17β-estradiol/L). This sensing platform exhibits several distinct characteristics, including dual improvement of sensitivity and stability and common-path optical construction without needing optical alignment, demonstrating a promising avenue toward environmental monitoring.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

An Ultrasensitive and Universal Surface Plasmonic Biosensor for Detection of Micropollutants in Aquatic Environments

Tan

Dai

Zhou

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, a small portion of ER-mediated potency was accounted for in S3–S5 samples due to the drastic decrease in E1 and E2 concentrations (Figure S3). Steroidal estrogens are strong ER-active substances and are known to be commonly detected in samples of STPs. , During the sewage treatment process, steroidal estrogens were adsorbed to the sludge and removed or biodegraded; thus, the concentrations in the effluent seemed to have decreased. However, ER-mediated potency was still relatively great in the effluent, suggesting that unmonitored ER agonists were present.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Characterization of Estrogen Receptor Agonists during Sewage Treatment Processes Using Effect-Directed Analysis Combined with High-Resolution Full-Scan Screening

Gwak

Lee

Cha

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Endocrine-disrupting potential was evaluated during the sewage treatment process using in vitro bioassays. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-, androgen receptor (AR)-, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-, and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated activities were assessed over five steps of the treatment process. Bioassays of organic extracts showed that AhR, AR, and GR potencies tended to decrease through the sewage treatment process, whereas ER potencies did not significantly decrease. Bioassays on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography fractions showed that F5 (log K OW 2.5–3.0) had great ER potencies. Full-scan screening of these fractions detected two novel ER agonists, arenobufagin and loratadine, which are used pharmaceuticals. These compounds accounted for 3.3–25% of the total ER potencies and 4% of the ER potencies in the final effluent. The well-known ER agonists, estrone and 17β-estradiol, accounted for 60 and 17% of the ER potencies in F5 of the influent and primary treatment, respectively. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analysis showed that various molecules were generated during the treatment process, especially CHO and CHOS (C: carbon, H: hydrogen, O: oxygen, and S: sulfur). This study documented that widely used pharmaceuticals are introduced into the aquatic environments without being removed during the sewage treatment process.

show abstract

“…For instance, phthalate esters greatly contribute to the estrogenic activity, so the treatment technologies for the removal of phthalate esters have been extensively investigated. A typical WWTP can decrease the level of phthalate esters by 40–50% in the tertiary units, and Fenton reaction can remove 40–88% of them . The half of phthalate esters in the leachate can be simultaneously transferred together with humic acids to sludge by a coagulation–sediment process .…”

Section: Amplification Ratio Of Ecs In Municipal Wastewater Subjected...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This issue has been highlighted in recent years with more concerns about ECs. The levels of ECs could be reduced by 1–2 orders of magnitude, while others are refractory and persistent, , which might increase the ecological risk of the final effluent of WWTPs. The questions are then whether and at which ratio MSW leachate can enter WWTPs from the perspective of EC pollution control.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging Contaminants: Are They a Big Concern for Leachate Co-treatment in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants?

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Estrogenic activity and ecological risk of steroids, bisphenol A and phthalates after secondary and tertiary sewage treatment processes

Cited by 49 publications

References 77 publications

An Ultrasensitive and Universal Surface Plasmonic Biosensor for Detection of Micropollutants in Aquatic Environments

An Ultrasensitive and Universal Surface Plasmonic Biosensor for Detection of Micropollutants in Aquatic Environments

Molecular Characterization of Estrogen Receptor Agonists during Sewage Treatment Processes Using Effect-Directed Analysis Combined with High-Resolution Full-Scan Screening

Emerging Contaminants: Are They a Big Concern for Leachate Co-treatment in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About