Environmental estrogens in surface water and their interaction with microalgae: A review

Abstract

Environmental estrogens (EEs) have received extensive attention because they interfere with biological endocrine and reproduction systems by mimicking, antagonizing, or otherwise affecting the actions of endogenous hormones. Additionally, harmful algal blooms have become a global problem in surface water. Microalgae, as an essential primary producer, is especially important for aquatic life and the entire ecosystem. The presence of EEs in surface water may be a potential promoting factor for algal blooms, and microalgae may have effects on the degradation of EEs. This review focuses on the distribution and pollution characteristics of EEs in global surface waters, effects of single and mixed EEs on microalgae regarding growth and toxin production, mechanisms of EEs on microalgae at the cellular and molecular level. The impacts of microalgae on EEs were also discussed. This review provides a risk assessment of EEs and identifies essential clues that will aid in formulating and revising the relevant standards of surface water regarding EEs, which is significant for ecosystems and human health.

Keywords: Combined effects; Degradation; Environmental estrogens (EEs); Microalgae; Molecular mechanism.