Determination of estrogenic potential in waste water without sample extraction
Miha Avberšek1, Bojana Žegura, Metka Filipič
1Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|July 2, 2013
Summary
A new water testing method, the no-extraction (NE)-ER-Calux assay, accurately measures estrogenic activity. It detects more water-soluble compounds than traditional methods, revealing higher estrogenic potential in wastewater.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Estrogenic compounds in water pose environmental risks.
- Traditional assays often require sample extraction, potentially losing water-soluble analytes.
- Accurate measurement of estrogenic potential is crucial for water quality assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To modify the ER-Calux assay for direct water sample analysis (NE-ER-Calux).
- To compare the NE-ER-Calux assay with conventional ER-Calux and GC-MSD methods.
- To evaluate the estrogenic potential of real wastewater and surface water samples.
Main Methods:
- Development of the no-extraction (NE)-ER-Calux assay.
- Comparison with standard ER-Calux assay and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-Direct (GC-MSD).
- Analysis of spiked and real wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent, effluent, and surface water samples.
Main Results:
- No statistical difference between methods for spiked samples.
- NE-ER-Calux detected significantly higher estrogenic potential in real wastewater samples.
- Influent estrogenic potential peaked in the afternoon (40.0 ng EEQ/L), while effluent levels were below detection limits (<0.68 ng EEQ/L).
- WWTPs achieved 92-98% reduction in estrogenic potential.
Conclusions:
- The NE-ER-Calux assay is a valuable tool for detecting water-soluble endocrine agonists.
- Wastewater treatment effectively reduces overall estrogenic potential.
- Diurnal variations in influent estrogenic potential highlight the need for dynamic monitoring.
