Publication Abstract

Characterisation of estrogeniccompounds in water samples collected from United Kingdom estuaries

K.V. Thomas, M.R. Hurst, P. Matthiessen and M.J. Waldock

This report describes the identification of important estrogeniccompounds in surface and sediment pore-water samples collected from the Tyne and Teesestuaries (United Kingdom) through the application of toxicity identification evaluation(TIE) procedures. The Tyne and Tees estuaries represent estuaries that have beenhistorically impacted by industrial activities and continue to receive treated domesticsewage and industrial effluent. In 1998, Dabholm Gut on the Tees received a mixture oftreated and untreated effluent, while Howdon sewage treatment works (STW) dischargedprimary treated effluents. An estrogenically active water sample collected from Howdon STWon the Tyne was shown to contain 17β-estradiol, androsterone, and an unknown estrogenic compound(s). Most of the activity contained in a sample collected from the Dabholm Gut combineddischarges on the Tees was also due to 17β-estradiol with additional activity from nonylphenol and (tentatively) bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. The only sediment pore-water sample todemonstrate estrogenic activity was collected from Dabholm Gut.

Reference:

K.V. Thomas, M.R. Hurst, P. Matthiessen and M.J. Waldock, 2001. Characterisation ofestrogenic compounds in water samples collected from United Kingdom estuaries.Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 20(10): 2165-2170.