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Beyer J, Goksøyr A, Hjermann DØ, Klungsøyr J. Environmental effects of offshore produced water discharges: A review focused on the Norwegian continental shelf. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 162:105155. [PMID: 32992224 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Produced water (PW), a large byproduct of offshore oil and gas extraction, is reinjected to formations or discharged to the sea after treatment. The discharges contain dispersed crude oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylphenols (APs), metals, and many other constituents of environmental relevance. Risk-based regulation, greener offshore chemicals and improved cleaning systems have reduced environmental risks of PW discharges, but PW is still the largest operational source of oil pollution to the sea from the offshore petroleum industry. Monitoring surveys find detectable exposures in caged mussel and fish several km downstream from PW outfalls, but biomarkers indicate only mild acute effects in these sentinels. On the other hand, increased concentrations of DNA adducts are found repeatedly in benthic fish populations, especially in haddock. It is uncertain whether increased adducts could be a long-term effect of sediment contamination due to ongoing PW discharges, or earlier discharges of oil-containing drilling waste. Another concern is uncertainty regarding the possible effect of PW discharges in the sub-Arctic Southern Barents Sea. So far, research suggests that sub-arctic species are largely comparable to temperate species in their sensitivity to PW exposure. Larval deformities and cardiac toxicity in fish early life stages are among the biomarkers and adverse outcome pathways that currently receive much attention in PW effect research. Herein, we summarize the accumulated ecotoxicological knowledge of offshore PW discharges and highlight some key remaining knowledge needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonny Beyer
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anders Goksøyr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Norway; Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, Norway
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He Y, Zhang Y, Martin JW, Alessi DS, Giesy JP, Goss GG. In vitro assessment of endocrine disrupting potential of organic fractions extracted from hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water (HF-FPW). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:824-831. [PMID: 30342413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Potential effects of horizontal drilling combined with high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HF) have drawn significant public concern, especially on the handling, treatment, and disposal of HF flowback and produced water (HF-FPW). Previous studies indicated HF-FPW could significantly disrupt biotransformation and expressions of genes related to the endocrine system. This study focused on effects of organic extracts of HF-FPW on receptor binding activity using several transactivation assays. Six HF-FPW samples were collected from 2 wells (Well A and Well B, 3 time points at each well). These were separated by filtration into aqueous (W) and particulate (S) phases, and organics were extracted from all 12 subsamples. Of all the tested fractions, sample B1-S had the greatest Σ13PAH (11,000 ng/L) and B3-S has the greatest Σ4alkyl-PAHs (16,000 ng/L). Nuclear receptor binding activity of all the extracts on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogen receptor (ER), and androgen receptor (AR) were screened using H4IIE-luc, MVLN-luc, and MDA-kb2 cells, respectively. FPWs from various HF wells exhibited distinct nuclear receptor binding effects. The strongest AhR agonist activity was detected in B3-S, with 450 ± 20 μg BaP/L equivalency at 5 × exposure. The greatest ER agonist activity was detected in A1-W, with 5.3 ± 0.9 nM E2 equivalency at 10× exposures. There is a decreasing trend in ER agonist activity from A1 to A3 in both aqueous and particulate fractions from Well A, while there is an increasing trend in ER agonist activity from B1 to B3 in aqueous fractions from Well B. This study provides novel information on the sources of endocrine disruptive potentials in various HF-FPW considering both temporal and spatial variability. Results suggest that reclamation or remediation and risk assessment of HF-FPW spills likely requires multiple strategies including understanding the properties of each spill with respect to fractured geological formation and physiochemical properties of the injected fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhe He
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada.
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Daniel S Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Greg G Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada.
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Chou PH, Liu TC, Lin YL. Monitoring of xenobiotic ligands for human estrogen receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor in industrial wastewater effluents. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2014; 277:13-19. [PMID: 24680543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Industrial wastewater contains a variety of toxic substances, which may severely contaminate the aquatic environment if discharged without adequate treatment. In this study, effluents from a thin film transistor liquid crystal display wastewater treatment plant and the receiving water were analyzed by bioassays and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to investigate the presence of estrogenic compounds, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, and genotoxicants. Xenobiotic AhR agonists were frequently detected and, in particular, strong AhR agonist activity and genotoxicity were found in the suspended solids of the aeration tank outflow. The high AhR agonist activity in the final effluent (FE) and the downstream river water suggested that the treatment plant failed to remove the wastewater-related AhR agonists. In contrast, although significant estrogenic potency could be detected in raw wastewater or effluents from different treatment processes, the FE and the receiving river water exhibited no or weak estrogenicity. Instrumental analysis showed that bisphenol A was often detected in water samples. However, the investigated estrogenic compounds could only account for a small portion of the estrogenicity in the collected samples. Therefore, further investigation is necessary to identify the major estrogenic compounds and AhR agonist contaminants in the wastewater effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hsin Chou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Sustainable Environment Research Laboratories, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
| | - Tong-Cun Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Sustainable Environment Research Laboratories, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Lin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan; Sustainable Environment Research Laboratories, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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4
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Kamata R, Itoh K, Nakajima D, Kageyama S, Sawabe A, Terasaki M, Shiraishi F. The feasibility of using mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) for detecting endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the freshwater environment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:2778-2785. [PMID: 21882230 DOI: 10.1002/etc.669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Revised: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the utility of gene-transcriptional responses in the liver of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), a species introduced to many countries and therefore widely available, for detecting endocrine-disrupting activity in water. Exposure to β-naphthoflavone, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist, significantly increased the transcript of the cytochrome P4501A gene (cyp1a), peaking at 24 h, in both sexes at concentrations of 10 µg/L or more. 17β-Estradiol (E(2) ) at 500 ng/L increased the number of males showing gene transcription of precursors of yolk protein, vitellogenin (Vtga, Vtgb, and Vtgc), at 24, 48, and 72 h. Exposure for 48 h to bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen mimic, also increased vtg-positive males at 1 mg/L or more. Leachate from a Japanese stable-type landfill significantly increased vtg-positive males after 48 h exposure, and the in vitro activity of the leachate against the estrogen receptor (ER) was estimated as an E(2) equivalent of 240 ng/L by yeast transfected with the ER. Chemical analysis showed that major contributors to the ER activation were BPA and 4-tert-octylphenol. This leachate and drainage water from a control-type landfill had AhR activities, estimated by yeast with the AhR, but had no significant effect on cyp1a transcription. These results showed that mosquitofish are suitable for detecting in vivo AhR and ER effects, but are insensitive to E(2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kamata
- Research Center for Environmental Risk, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
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Kusk KO, Krüger T, Long M, Taxvig C, Lykkesfeldt AE, Frederiksen H, Andersson AM, Andersen HR, Hansen KMS, Nellemann C, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Endocrine potency of wastewater: contents of endocrine disrupting chemicals and effects measured by in vivo and in vitro assays. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:413-26. [PMID: 21038429 DOI: 10.1002/etc.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Industrial and municipal effluents are important sources of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) discharged into the aquatic environment. This study investigated the endocrine potency of wastewater and the cleaning efficiency of two typical urban Danish sewage treatment plants (STPs), using chemical analysis and a battery of bioassays. Influent samples, collected at the first STP grate, and effluent samples, collected after the sewage treatment, were extracted using solid phase extraction. Extracts were analyzed for the content of a range of industrial chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties: phthalate metabolites, parabens, industrial phenols, ultraviolet screens, and natural and synthetic steroid estrogens. The endocrine disrupting bioactivity and toxicity of the extracts were analyzed in cell culture assay for the potency to affect the function of the estrogen, androgen, aryl hydrocarbon, and thyroid receptors as well as the steroid hormone synthesis. The early-life stage (ELS) development was tested in a marine copepod. The concentrations of all analyzed chemicals were reduced in effluents compared with influents, and for some to below the detection limit. Influent as well as effluent samples from both STPs were found to interact with all four receptors and to interfere with the steroid hormone synthesis showing the presence of measured EDCs. Both influent samples and one of the effluent samples inhibited the development of the copepod Acartia tonsa. In conclusion, the presence of EDCs was reduced in the STPs but not eliminated, as verified by the applied bioassays that all responded to the extracts of effluent samples. Our data suggest that the wastewater treatment processes are not efficient enough to prevent contamination of environmental surface waters.
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Farmen E, Harman C, Hylland K, Tollefsen KE. Produced water extracts from North Sea oil production platforms result in cellular oxidative stress in a rainbow trout in vitro bioassay. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2010; 60:1092-1098. [PMID: 20144836 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2009] [Revised: 01/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Produced water (PW) discharged from offshore oil industry contains chemicals known to contribute to different mechanisms of toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in rainbow trout primary hepatocytes exposed to the water soluble and particulate organic fraction of PW from 10 different North Sea oil production platforms. The PW fractions caused a concentration-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 1h exposure, as well as changes in levels of total glutathione (tGSH) and cytotoxicity after 96 h. Interestingly, the water soluble organic compounds of PW were major contributors to oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, and effects was not correlated to the content of total oil in PW. Bioassay effects were only observed at high PW concentrations (3-fold concentrated), indicating that bioaccumulation needs to occur to cause similar short term toxic effects in wild fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Farmen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadallèen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
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Thomas KV, Langford K, Petersen K, Smith AJ, Tollefsen KE. Effect-directed identification of naphthenic acids as important in vitro xeno-estrogens and anti-androgens in North sea offshore produced water discharges. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:8066-71. [PMID: 19924924 DOI: 10.1021/es9014212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Produced water from offshore oil production platforms represents the largest direct discharge of effluent into the offshore environment. Produced water effluents contain a complex mixture of substances which are known to bind to the estrogen receptor (ER) and antagonize the androgen receptor (AR). Short-chain petrogenic alkylphenols have been identified as responsible for around 35% of the ER agonist activity measured in vitro while the compounds responsible for antagonizing the androgen receptor are unknown. For the first time we report that petrogenic naphthenic acids are weak ER agonists that account for much of the 65% of the "unknown" ER agonist potency in North Sea produced waters while also disrupting the binding of AR agonists to the AR ligand receptor. We also report other known petrogenic components such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols as environmental AR antagonists. Our investigation shows that these petrogenic components are responsible for the majority of the ER and AR receptor mediated activity in produced waters. This hypothesis is supported by data from an effects-directed analysis of produced water using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractionation in combination with the yeast estrogen and androgen assays as well as androgen receptor binding assays of commercially available mixtures of naphthenic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Thomas
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
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Chao HR, Tsou TC, Chen HT, Chang EE, Tsai FY, Lin DY, Chen FA, Wang YF. The inhibition effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin-induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in human hepatoma cells with the treatment of cadmium chloride. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2009; 170:351-356. [PMID: 19477068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.04.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2008] [Revised: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 04/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), considered as endocrine disruptors, tend to accumulate in fatty tissues. Dioxin-responsive element chemical activated luciferase gene expression assay (DRE-luciferase assay) has been recognized as a semi-quantitative method for screening dioxins for its fast and low-cost as compared with HRGC/HRMS. However, some problems with the bioassay, including specificity, detection variation resulted from different cleanup strategies, and uncertainty of false-negative or false-positive results, remain to be overcome. Cadmium is a prevalent environmental contaminant around the world. This study was aimed to examine the effects of cadmium on the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated gene expression in human hepatoma cells (Huh7-DRE-Luc cells and Huh7 cells). Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and DRE-luciferase assay were employed to determine the enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and activation of AhR, respectively. The results showed that Cd(2+) levels significantly inhibited the induction of TCDD-induced CYP1A1 and DRE luciferase activation in hepatoma cells. The 50% inhibited concentrations (IC(50)) of CdCl(2) were 0.414 microM (95% confidence interval (C.I.): 0.230-0.602 microM) in Huh7-DRE-Luc cells and 23.2 microM (95% C.I.: 21.7-25.4 microM) in Huh7 cells. Accordingly, prevention of interference with non-dioxin-like compounds in a DRE-luciferase assay is of great importance in an extensive cleanup procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- How-Ran Chao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
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Holth TF, Nourizadeh-Lillabadi R, Blaesbjerg M, Grung M, Holbech H, Petersen GI, Aleström P, Hylland K. Differential gene expression and biomarkers in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following exposure to produced water components. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2008; 90:277-291. [PMID: 18963085 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2008.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2008] [Revised: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 08/27/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The main effluent from oil and gas production is produced water (PW), a waste that contains low to moderate concentrations of oil-derived substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols (APs). PW components may be present in seawater at low concentrations over large areas in the vicinity of oil and gas production facilities. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to control and three treatments (high-, pulsed-, low-dose) of a synthetic PW mixture for 1, 7 and 13 weeks. The aim was to investigate the development of transcriptome and biomarker responses as well as relationships between early responses and population-relevant effects. The synthetic PW contained a mixture of low-molecular-weight PAHs (<5 ring) and short-chain APs (C1-C4). The water-borne exposure levels (sum PAH) ranged from 0.54 ppb (low dose) to 5.4 ppb (high dose). Bile pyrene metabolites ranged from 17-133 ng g(-1) bile in the control group to 23-1081 ng g(-1) bile in the high exposure group. Similar levels have been observed in wild fish, confirming an environmentally relevant exposure. The expression of mRNAs of hepatic genes was investigated in the high exposure group using the Zebrafish OligoLibrary from Compugen. Functional clustering analysis revealed effects in the reproductive system, the nervous system, the respiratory system, the immune system, lipid metabolism, connective tissue and in a range of functional categories related to cell cycle and cancer. The majority of differentially expressed mRNAs of genes were down-regulated, suggesting reduction in gene transcription to be as relevant as up-regulation or induction when assessing biological responses to PW exposure. Biomarkers for effects of PAHs (cytochrome P450 1A) and environmental estrogens (vitellogenin) did not appear to be affected by the chronic exposure to low concentration of PW components. Effects at the population level included a reduction in condition factor in male fish from all exposed groups and spinal column deformations in the F1 generation of exposed groups. The different exposure regimes did not produce any significant differences in reproduction or recruitment. The results from this study demonstrate that environmentally relevant concentrations of PW affect gene expression and population-relevant endpoints in zebrafish, although links between the two were not obvious.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Holth
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
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Jung KK, Kim SY, Kim TG, Kang JH, Kang SY, Cho JY, Kim SH. Differential regulation of thyroid hormone receptor-mediated function by endocrine disruptors. Arch Pharm Res 2007; 30:616-23. [PMID: 17615682 DOI: 10.1007/bf02977657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that endocrine disruptors (EDs) act as anti-estrogenic agents and affect the function of reproductive organ. EDs are also thought to affect thyroid hormone (TH) system which is important for biological functions such as growth, development and metabolism. However, it is still not clear how EDs are able to regulate TH receptor (TR)-mediated functions. In this study, therefore, the modulatory effects of representative EDs such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1254) and bisphenol A (BPA) were examined using TR-expressing GH3 cells (a rat pituitary gland epithelial tumor cell line) activated by triiodothyronine (T3). EDs tested significantly blocked T3 binding to TR in a dose-dependent manner. Biochemical characterization by Scatchard and Lineweaver-Burk plot analyses indicated that TCDD and aroclor 1254 bound to TH receptors in a competitive inhibitory manner, whereas BPA bound to TH receptors in a non-competitive pattern. The different inhibitory mode of action by EDs was also found in regulating TR-mediated production of prolactin (PRL). Aroclor 1254 exposure for 48 h enhanced T3-mediated PRL production, but BPA down-regulated. These results suggest that the EDs (TCDD, Aroclor 1254 and BPA) could differentially bind to TR and distinctly regulate the action of TR function, even though EDs are structurally similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Kyung Jung
- Department of Pharmacology, Biochemical Pharmacology Team, National Institute of Toxicological Research, Seoul 122-704, Korea
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Tollefsen KE, Harman C, Smith A, Thomas KV. Estrogen receptor (ER) agonists and androgen receptor (AR) antagonists in effluents from Norwegian North Sea oil production platforms. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2007; 54:277-83. [PMID: 17258235 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2006.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2006] [Revised: 07/18/2006] [Accepted: 07/21/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The in vitro estrogen receptor (ER) agonist and androgen receptor (AR) antagonist potencies of offshore produced water effluents collected from the Norwegian Sector were determined using recombinant yeast estrogen and androgen screens. Solid phase extraction (SPE) concentrates of the effluents showed E2 agonist activities similar to those previously reported for the United Kingdom (UK) Continental Shelf (<0.1-4 ng E2 L(-1)). No activity was detected in the filtered oil droplets suggesting that produced water ER activity is primarily associated with the dissolved phase. Targeted analysis for methyl- to nonyl-substituted alkylphenol isomers show the occurrence of known ER agonists in the analysed samples. For the first time, AR antagonists were detected in both the dissolved and oil associated phase at concentrations of between 20 and 8000 microg of flutamide equivalents L(-1). The identity of the AR antagonists is unknown, however this represents a significant input into the marine environment of unknown compounds that exert a known biological effect. It is recommended that further analysis using techniques such as bioassay-directed analysis is performed to identify the compounds/groups of compounds that are responsible in order to improve the assessment of the risk posed by produced water discharges to the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Erik Tollefsen
- NIVA, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo Centre for Interdisciplinary Environmental and Social Research, Gaustadalléen 21,Oslo, Norway
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Grung M, Lichtenthaler R, Ahel M, Tollefsen KE, Langford K, Thomas KV. Effects-directed analysis of organic toxicants in wastewater effluent from Zagreb, Croatia. CHEMOSPHERE 2007; 67:108-20. [PMID: 17166550 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2006] [Revised: 08/04/2006] [Accepted: 09/03/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The organic toxicants present in the effluent of the main sewer of the city of Zagreb, Croatia were isolated and identified through the use of effects-directed characterisation techniques. At the time of investigation, the wastewater effluent received no treatment and was comprised of a mixture of effluent from domestic and industrial sources. The organic load of the wastewater was isolated by solid phase extraction and toxicity profiles obtained using reverse-phase HPLC. All procedures were evaluated through the analysis of a series of reference compounds of widely differing polarity. Toxicity profiles for EROD activity (CYP1A induction), vitellogenin induction (estrogenic activity), cytotoxicity (membrane stability and metabolic inhibition) were obtained using a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) primary hepatocyte bioassay. The suite of bioassays showed biological responses after exposure to the raw extracts for all the endpoints tested. However, a combination of mixture toxicity and cytotoxicity in the complex raw extract had some masking effect on the sub-lethal responses of vitellogenin and EROD induction. Bioassay testing of the fine fractions obtained by HPLC produced a range of endpoint-specific toxicity profiles for each sample. A number of compounds were identified by the use of GC-MS and LC-MS/MS as responsible for the observed effects. The steroid estrogens 17 beta-estradiol and estriol were identified by LC-MS/MS as estrogen receptor agonists in two of the estrogenic fractions. In addition, GC-MS analysis identified different alkylphenols, benzophenone and methylparaben which also contributed to the estrogenic activity of the sample. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkyl substituted PAHs, nitro-polycyclic aromatic compounds (nitro-PACs), carbazoles and alkyl substituted carbazoles and other known CYP1A inducers were identified by GC-MS analysis as responsible for some of the observed EROD activity. Some active compounds remain unidentified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merete Grung
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway.
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Chou PH, Matsui S, Misaki K, Matsuda T. Isolation and identification of xenobiotic aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in dyeing wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2007; 41:652-7. [PMID: 17310736 DOI: 10.1021/es061500g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Dyeing wastewater collected in Kyoto city, Japan, was investigated for the occurrence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands by using an AhR-responsive reporter gene assay. Concentrated extracts of wastewater samples elicited a dose-dependent increase in AhR ligand activity, and several hydrophobic HPLC fractions of the extracts were highly effective in inducing AhR ligand activity. Three potential AhR ligands were isolated from these fractions and identified to be Disperse Red 92, Disperse Yellow 64, and 3'-hydroxybenzo[b]quinophthalone by using HPLC and LC-MS/MS. Disperse Red 92, which has also been detected in the treated effluent from a sewage plant receiving the wastewater, is an anthraquinone disperse dye showing weak AhR binding affinity in the assay. Disperse Yellow 64 and 3'-hydroxybenzo[b]quinophthalone are quinoline disperse dyes capable of activating the AhR at nanomolar concentrations. In particular, Disperse Yellow 64 is a highly potent AhR ligand that was 3 times more effective in inducing AhR ligand activity than beta-naphthoflavone in the assay. Quinoline disperse dyes are suggested to be a new class of xenobiotic AhR ligands which pose a danger to aquatic biota and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hsin Chou
- Department of Technology and Ecology, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-Ku Yoshida-Honmachi, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Balaam JL, Thomas KV. Bioanalytical characterisation of estrogen and arylhydrocarbon receptor agonists in transplanted blue mussels (Mytilus edulis): proof of concept. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:419-23. [PMID: 17492086 DOI: 10.1039/b614884k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The characterisation of estrogen (ER) and arylhydrocarbon (AhR) receptor agonists was performed in extracts of the tissues of transplanted blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). The yeast estrogen screen (YES) was used to detect the presence of ER agonists, whilst the DR-CALUX assay was used to detect AhR agonists. The concentration of ER agonists in mussel tissue from the Tees estuary, Brancaster and River Crouch (UK) were below the limits of detection for the YES assay (0.87 pg E2 g(-1)). AhR agonists were measured at concentrations of between 1 and 950 pg TCDD g(-1) in mussel tissue. A bioassay-directed fractionation of the sample extracts, followed by advanced broad spectrum gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was then used in an attempt to identify the AhR agonists present. This showed that a complex mixture of AhR agonists occurs in the samples and that further work will be required in order to isolate and identify the individual compounds responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan L Balaam
- Cefas, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK.
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