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Factors Affecting Distribution of Estrogenicity in the Influents, Effluents, and Biosolids of Canadian Wastewater Treatment Plants

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Abstract

Canadian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release significant amounts of estrogenic chemicals to nearby surface waters. Environmental estrogens have been implicated as the causative agents of many developmental and reproductive problems in animals, including fish. The goals of this study were to assess the estrogenic activity in the influents, effluents, and biosolids of thirteen Canadian WWTPs using the yeast estrogen screen (YES) bioassay and to investigate whether factors, such as wastewater treatment method, sample storage, extraction efficiency, population, and summer/winter temperature had any effects on the distribution of estrogenicity in the WWTPs. Results of the study showed that estrogenicity from the influent to the effluent decreased in seven WWTPs, increased in two WWTPs, and did not change in four WWTPs during the winter. Estrogenic concentrations generally decreased in the order of biosolids > influents > effluents and ranged from 1.57 to 24.6, 1.25E−02 to 3.84E−01, and 9.46E−03 to 3.90E−01 ng estradiol equivalents/g or ml, respectively. The estrogenicity in the final effluents, but not those in the influents and biosolids, was significantly higher in the summer than the winter. Among the WWTP treatment methods, advanced, biological nutrient removal appeared to be the most effective method to remove estrogenic chemicals from wastewaters in Canada. Our studies help to identify factors or mechanisms that affect the distribution of estrogenicity in WWTPs, providing a better understanding on the discharges of estrogenic chemicals from WWTPs.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Metro Vancouver contract PO#0000115952. We thank Dr. Shirley Anne Smyth, Environmental Canada for her assistance in collecting WWTP samples across Canada and Mr. Robert Ng, Metro Vancouver for helpful discussion on wastewater treatment methods in Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A1S6, Canada

    Ben H. H. Shieh, Alvin Louie & Francis C. P. Law

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  1. Ben H. H. Shieh
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  2. Alvin Louie
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  3. Francis C. P. Law
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Correspondence to Francis C. P. Law.

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Shieh, B.H.H., Louie, A. & Law, F.C.P. Factors Affecting Distribution of Estrogenicity in the Influents, Effluents, and Biosolids of Canadian Wastewater Treatment Plants. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 70, 682–691 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0230-z

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