Levels of endocrine disrupting compounds in South China Sea

Mar Pollut Bull. 2014 Aug 30;85(2):628-33. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.040. Epub 2014 Feb 17.

Abstract

The occurrence of estrogens in the aquatic environment has become a major concern worldwide because of their strong endocrine disrupting potency. In this study, concentrations of four estrogenic compounds, estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), estriol (E3) were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses in surface water from South China Sea, and distributions and potential risks of their estrogenic activity were assessed. The estrogenic compounds E1, E2 and E3 were detected in most of the samples, with their concentrations up to 11.16, 3.71 and 21.63 ng L(-1). However, EE2 was only detected in 3 samples. Causality analysis, EEQ values from chemical analysis identified E2 as the main responsible compounds. Based on the EEQ values in the surface water, high estrogenic risks were in the coastal water, and low estrogenic risks in the open sea.

Keywords: Estrogenic activities; Estrogenic compounds; South China Sea; Surface water.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Endocrine Disruptors / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Estradiol / analysis*
  • Estriol / analysis
  • Estrogens / analysis*
  • Estrone / analysis*
  • Ethinyl Estradiol / analysis
  • Limit of Detection
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Oceans and Seas
  • Quality Control
  • Water
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Estrogens
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water
  • Estrone
  • Ethinyl Estradiol
  • Estradiol
  • Estriol