Endocrine Disruptors in the aquatic environment from non- wastewater sources Poul Bjerregaard Ecotoxicology Group Institute of Biology University of Southern Denmark EEA ’Chemicals and Water’ Workshop, December 6-7, 2010
UK and many other countries Discharges from waste water treatments plants cause feminisation in male fish
Feminisation expressed as: Intersex –Ovotestes
Intersex in roach Rutilus rutilus
♀♂
Normal testis ♂ ♂ - intersex Bjerregaard et al Ecotox. Environ Safety
Intersex-frequency among British roach Jobling et al Env. Sci. Technol. 32, 2498
Intersex in roach Intersex frequency (%) Lake AlmindLake Ravn Aarhus EgaaKristrup landkanal Control sites *** Streams receiving sewage effluents Bjerregaard et al. 2006
Recent French investigation 474 roach examined in uncontaminated area Frequency of intersex: 0 –Geraudie et al Fish Physiol. Biochem. 36,
Feminisation expressed as: Intersex –Ovotestes Elevated vitellogenin levels Ovary Liver Gonadotropins Estrogen Vitellogenin
Estrogenic effect of UK discharges Harries et al Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 15,
Danish WWTP effluents No nitrifi- cation Nitrifi- cation E1: 60-70% E2: 30-40% EE2: Less importance Stuer-Lauridsen et al Danish EPA-report PNEC
Little estrogenic effect from Danish WWTPs Still endocrine disrupted fish
Brown trout vitellogenin levels Bjerregaard et al. Ecotoxicol. 15, , 2006 & Bjerregaard et al. Environ.Toxicol.Chem. 27, , 2008
Other possibilities Leaching of estrogens from agriculture
Leaching from pig manure Kjær et al Env. Sci. Technol. 41,
Leaching from pig manure Kjær et al Env. Sci. Technol. 41,
EC 50 values for brown trout Induction of vitellogenin synthesis after days’ exposure –E2: 15 ng/l –E1:88 ng/l
Phytoestrogens Clover AlfalfaPeasLupine
Naturally produced estrogens Biochanin A 17β-estradiol
Biochanin A Effects in brown trout
Phytoestrogens from silage Suggested as a potential source of estrogenic activity in UK streams in farmland Matthiessen et al Sci. Tot. Environ. 367,
Phytoestrogen concentrations in water Most determinations: –Nanogrammes per litre range Some determinations: –Microgrammes per litre.
Other possibilities? Discharges from scattered houses in the open land with simple waste water treatment
Danish survey Up to 414 ng/l E2-equivalents in drains from septic tanks Stuer-Lauridsen et al Danish EPA report
Pesticides Numerous pesticides have endocrine disrupting potential Many pesticides detected in freshwater systems
Other natural sources? Extracts from oak leves have anti- androgenic activity Hermelink et al Saponins from horse chestnut?
Endocrine disruption in the aquatic environment Potentially a mix various sources: –Natural estrogens From humans or livestock –Synthetic estrogens and androgens –Pesticides –Phytoestrogens –Other natural products
Endocrine disrupting effects – also extending into coastal areas UK flounders Matthiessen et al. UK mussels Langston & Chesman (2006, 2007) DK flounders Unpublished results Baltic eelpout? Unpublished results