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Steroid estrogens in ocean sediments.
O Braga1, G A Smythe, A I Schäfer
1Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Chemosphere
|June 22, 2005
Summary
Ocean sediments near a sewage outfall contain significant levels of steroid estrogens. Concentrations were higher further from the discharge, suggesting particle-bound hormones settle on the seafloor.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Marine Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Deep ocean sewage outfalls are a source of contaminants.
- Steroid hormones are biologically active compounds found in sewage effluent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the abundance and distribution of steroid estrogens in marine sediments near a deep ocean sewage outfall.
- To assess the fate of estrogens discharged via enhanced primary sewage treatment.
Main Methods:
- Sediment samples were collected at varying distances from a deep ocean sewage outfall.
- Concentrations of estrone, 17beta-estradiol, and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol were quantified using established analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- Steroid estrogens were detected in all sediment samples, with concentrations in the nanogram per gram range.
- Higher estrogen concentrations were observed at the 7 km sampling site compared to samples adjacent to the outfall.
- Detected levels aligned with estimations based on effluent particle sorption and sewage-derived particle proportions.
Conclusions:
- Estrogens discharged from sewage outfalls associate with particulate matter.
- These hormone-laden particles aggregate in seawater and settle to the seafloor.
- Deep ocean sediments act as a sink for sewage-derived estrogens.