Pharmaceuticals, natural and synthetic hormones and phenols in sediments from an eutrophic estuary, Jurujuba Sound, Guanabara Bay, Brazil

A screening for microcontaminants performed by gas chromatography detected several microcontaminants in 12 sediment samples from the eutrophic estuary Guanabara Bay (GB) in southeastern Brazil. Bisphenol A (BPA) ranged from 1.4 to 20.3 ng g^-1, 4-octylphenol, from <limit of detection (LD) to 0.9 ng g^-1, 4-nonylphenol, from <LD to 3 ng g^-1, gemfibrozil, from <LD to 1.4 ng g^-1, naproxen, from <LD to 15.5 ng g^-1m Ibuprofen, from <LD ng g^-1 and diclofenac, from <LD to 0.9 ng g^-1. Among estrogens, estrone, estradiol, ethinylestradiol and estriol were detected, ranging, respectively from <LD to 5.7 ng g^-1, <LD to 18.1 ng g^-1, <LD to 22.9 ng g^-1 and <LD to 0.5 ng g^-1. A strong and positive correlation between 4-nonylphenol and estrone and a moderate and positive correlation between bisphenol A and estradiol were noted. These findings demonstrating high levels of the detected microcontaminants in all analyzed samples, indicating chronic GB pollution.

Determination of water quality, toxicity and estrogenic activity in a nearshore marine environment in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) can be found in domestic sewage, wastewater treatment plant effluents, natural water, rivers, lakes and in the marine environment. Jurujuba Sound, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, receives untreated sewage into its waters, one the main sources of aquatic contamination in this area. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the estrogenic potential of water sampled from different depths and from areas with differential contamination levels throughout Jurujuba Sound. Water quality was evaluated and acute toxicity assays using Allviibrio fischeri were conducted, while estrogenic activity of the water samples was determined by a Yeast Estrogen Screening assay (YES). Water quality was mostly within the limits established for marine waters by the Brazilian legislation, with only DOC and ammoniacal nitrogen levels above the maximum permissible limits. No acute toxicity effects were observed in the Allivibrio fisheri assay. The YES assay detected moderate estrogenic activity in bottom water samples from 3 sampling stations, ranging from 0.5 to 3.2ngL^-1, as well as in one surface water sample. Estrogenic activity was most frequently observed in samples from the bottom of the water column, indicating adsorption of estrogenic compounds to the sediment.