Effect-based and chemical analytical methods to monitor estrogens under the European Water Framework Directive
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2018 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165993617304338?via%3Dihub |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2018.02.008 |
| Keywords | Science-policy interface; Estrogen screening; Endocrine disruption; Surface and waste water assessment; Emerging pollutants; EU watch-list; Steroid analyses; In vitro bioassays; Integrated effects of mixtures |
| Description | The European Decision EU 2015/495 included three steroidal estrogens, estrone, 17 beta-estradiol and 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol, in the "watch-list" of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). As consequence, these substances have to be chemically monitored at the level of their environmental quality standards, which can be challenging. This project aimed to identify reliable effect-based methods (EBMs) for screening of endocrine disrupting compounds, to harmonise monitoring and data interpretation methods, and to contribute to the current WFD review process. Water and wastewater samples were collected across Europe and analysed using chemical analyses and EBMs. The results showed that 17 beta-estradiol equivalents were comparable among methods, while results can vary between methods based on the relative potencies for individual substances. Further, derived 17 beta-estradiol equivalents were highly correlated with LC-MS/MS analyses. This study shows that the inclusion of effect-based screening methods into monitoring programmes for estrogens in surface waterbodies would be a valuable complement to chemical analysis. |
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