Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158622
Document author version
Title (Primary) Spatial and temporal variations in anti-androgenic activity and environmental risk in a small river
Author Zhou, S.; Schulze, T. ORCID logo ; Brack, W.; Seiler, T.-B.; Hollert, H.
Source Titel Science of the Total Environment
Year 2022
Department WANA
Volume 853
Page From art. 158622
Language englisch
Topic T9 Healthy Planet
Keywords Cell viability; Antiandrogen; In vitro bioassay; Risk assessment
Abstract The biological effects of multiple compounds have been widely investigated in aquatic environments. However, investigations of spatial and temporal variations in biological effects are rarely performed because they are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, the variability of the anti-androgen, receptor-mediated activity of surface water samples was observed over 3 years using in vitro bioassays. Large-volume water samples were collected at one site upstream (Wer site) and two sites downstream (Sil and Nien sites) of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall in the Holtemme River. Anti-AR activity was persistently present in all surface water samples over the three years. Large spatial variations in anti-androgenic activity were observed, with the lowest activity at the Wer site (mean concentration of 9.5 ± 7.2 μg flutamide equivalents/L) and the highest activity at the Sil site (mean concentration of 31.1 ± 12.0 μg flutamide equivalents/L) directly influenced by WWTP effluents. On the temporal scale, no distinct trend for anti-AR activity was observed among the seasons in all three years. The anti-androgenic activity at the upstream Wer site showed a decreasing trend from 2014 to 2016, indicating improved water quality. A novel bioanalytical-equivalent-based risk assessment method considering the frequency of risk occurrence was developed and then utilized to assess the environmental risk of anti-androgenic activity in the Holtemme River. The results revealed that the highest risk was present at the Sil site, while the risk was considerably reduced at the Nien site. The risk at the upstream Wer site was the lowest.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=26587
Zhou, S., Schulze, T., Brack, W., Seiler, T.-B., Hollert, H. (2022):
Spatial and temporal variations in anti-androgenic activity and environmental risk in a small river
Sci. Total Environ. 853 , art. 158622 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158622