Publication Abstract

Reduction in the estrogenic activity of a treated sewage effluent discharge to an English river as a result of a decrease in the concentration of industrially-derived surfactants

Reduction in the estrogenic activity of a treated sewage effluent discharge to an English river as a result of a decrease in the concentration of industrially-derived surfactants

D. A. Sheahan, G. C. Brighty, M. Daniels, S. Jobling, J. E. Harries, M. Hurst, J. Kennedy, S. Kirby, S. Morris, E. J. Routledge, J. P. Sumpter, M.J. Waldock

As a result of the introduction of tighter discharge limits and effluent treatment processes at source, the concentration of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) present in the final effluent discharge from a sewage treatment works that treats trade effluent from the textiles industry was reduced. The estrogenic effects of the final effluent discharge to the River Aire were compared over a four- year period in which the alkylphenol concentration was reduced. Male rainbow trout exposed to the effluent on four occasions in consecutive years (1994 to 1997) showed a reduction in the level of induced vitellogenesis between 1994 and 1997. Various organ indices also showed reduced changes over consecutive years. The reduction in the effects of the effluent paralleled the reduction in APEs and in particular of the concentration of nonylphenol and its mono and di-ethoxylates, which have been demonstrated to produce estrogenic effects in trout exposed to them in the laboratory.

This study demonstrates that the setting of more specific discharge limits for known estrogenic chemicals of industrial origin can lead to significant reductions in the biological activity of the watercourses into which the effluents are discharged

Reference:

D. A. Sheahan*, G. C. Brighty, M. Daniels, S. Jobling, J. E. Harries, M. Hurst, J. Kennedy, S. Kirby*, S. Morris*, E. J. Routledge, J. P. Sumpter, M.J. Waldock* (2001) Reduction in the estrogenic activity of a treated sewage effluent discharge to an English river as a result of a decrease in the concentration of industrially-derived surfactants. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 21(3): 515-519

 

D. A. Sheahan*, G. C. Brighty, M. Daniels, S. Jobling, J. E. Harries, M. Hurst, J. Kennedy, S. Kirby*, S. Morris*, E. J. Routledge, J. P. Sumpter, M.J. Waldock*

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 21(3): 515-519