[Present state of six estrogens in the sediment of Wenyuhe River]

To investigate the pollution levels, occurrence and distribution of estrogens, six estrogens in the surface sediments of Wenyuhe River were analyzed quantitatively by GC/MS following ultrasonicated extraction including diethylstilbestrol (DES), estrone (E1), beta-estradiol(E2), 17alpha-ethynylestradiol(EE2), estriol(E3), and beta-estradiol 17-valerate (EV). Six estrogen concentrations ranged from 0.39-36.6 ng/g and the mean concentration was 10.2 ng/g. E1 and E2 were detected in all samples while other four estrogens were only detected in a few samples, and the concentrations of El was higher than those of E2 in all samples. There were significant correlation relationships between the concentrations of six estrogens and the concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) in sediments. Considering also the characteristics of the sampling locations and pollution sources, six estrogens should come from wastewater discharges along the river and the contaminated tributaries. The contents of estrogens in this area are medium or slightly higher level compared with other areas abroad.