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Identifying Non-point Sources of Endocrine Active Compounds and Their Biological Impacts in Freshwater Lakes

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Abstract

Contaminants of emerging concern, particularly endocrine active compounds (EACs), have been identified as a threat to aquatic wildlife. However, little is known about the impact of EACs on lakes through groundwater from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). This study aims to identify specific contributions of OWTS to Sullivan Lake, Minnesota, USA. Lake hydrology, water chemistry, caged bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), and larval fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposures were used to assess whether EACs entered the lake through OWTS inflow and the resultant biological impact on fish. Study areas included two OWTS-influenced near-shore sites with native bluegill spawning habitats and two in-lake control sites without nearby EAC sources. Caged bluegill sunfish were analyzed for plasma vitellogenin concentrations, organosomatic indices, and histological pathologies. Surface and porewater was collected from each site and analyzed for EACs. Porewater was also collected for laboratory exposure of larval fathead minnow, before analysis of predator escape performance and gene expression profiles. Chemical analysis showed EACs present at low concentrations at each study site, whereas discrete variations were reported between sites and between summer and fall samplings. Body condition index and liver vacuolization of sunfish were found to differ among study sites as did gene expression in exposed larval fathead minnows. Interestingly, biological exposure data and water chemistry did not match. Therefore, although results highlight the potential impacts of seepage from OWTS, further investigation of mixture effects and life history factor as well as chemical fate is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to homeowners along the shore of Sullivan Lake who provided us with access to near-shore environments and information about onsite OWT systems. Students at St. Cloud State University and the University of St. Thomas assisted in sampling events. This study was supported by funding from the State of Minnesota and a St. Cloud State University Denise M. McGuire student research award to B. H. B. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Cloud State University, WSB-273, 720 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, USA

    Beth H. Baker & Heiko L. Schoenfuss

  2. University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55105, USA

    Dalma Martinovic-Weigelt

  3. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155, USA

    Mark Ferrey

  4. United States Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA

    Larry B. Barber & Jeffery H. Writer

  5. United States Geological Survey, MS413, Bldg. 53, DFC, Box 25046, Lakewood, CO, 80225, USA

    Donald O. Rosenberry

  6. United States Geological Survey, 2280 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, MN, 55112, USA

    Richard L. Kiesling

  7. Minnesota Department of Health, 625 Robert St N, St. Paul, MN, 55164, USA

    James R. Lundy

  8. Water Quality Laboratory, Mississippi State University, Thompson Hall 253, Starkville, MS, 39762, USA

    Beth H. Baker

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  1. Beth H. Baker
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Correspondence to Beth H. Baker.

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Baker, B.H., Martinovic-Weigelt, D., Ferrey, M. et al. Identifying Non-point Sources of Endocrine Active Compounds and Their Biological Impacts in Freshwater Lakes. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 67, 374–388 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0052-4

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