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Estrogen in a karstic aquifer
Carol Wicks1, Cheryl Kelley, Eric Peterson
1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. wicksc@missouri.edu
Ground Water
|May 27, 2004
Summary
The Ozark Plateau Aquifer (OPA) shows estrogen (17 beta-estradiol--E2) levels exceeding safe limits for aquatic life. This poses a significant risk to fish health and reproductive success in this vital karst system.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Aquatic Toxicology
- Hydrogeology
Background:
- Estrogen (17 beta-estradiol--E2) contamination in water bodies affects fish health, causing issues like skewed sex distributions.
- Natural estrogen enters surface and ground waters via waste products from various species.
- Karstic aquifers, like the Ozark Plateau Aquifer (OPA), are directly connected to surface waters, increasing contamination risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess estrogen (E2) concentrations in the Ozark Plateau Aquifer (OPA).
- To evaluate the potential for adverse health effects on aquatic organisms within the OPA system.
- To determine the exposure levels of aquatic life to E2 in this karst environment.
Main Methods:
- Quarterly sampling of eight springs draining the OPA.
- Measurement of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations in spring water samples.
- Statistical analysis of E2 concentrations and correlation with spring discharge rates.
Main Results:
- OPA spring waters exhibited E2 concentrations ranging from 13 to 80 ng/L.
- E2 concentrations varied seasonally across all sampled springs.
- At Maramec Spring, E2 levels correlated positively with water discharge.
Conclusions:
- Aquatic organisms in the OPA are exposed to E2 concentrations above 25 ng/L for approximately 60% of the time.
- This level of exposure poses a risk to the reproductive success of aquatic life, including the southern cavefish.
- Karst basin organisms throughout the OPA likely face chronic reproductive health impacts due to persistent E2 contamination.