Occurrence and seasonal distribution of steroid hormones and bisphenol A in surface waters and suspended sediments of Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Limited information is available regarding the seasonal and spatial distribution of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in Canadian surface waters. Using improved analytical methods, we set out to evaluate the occurrence and risks of 15 EPA-priority EDCs in the St. Lawrence River and its main tributaries (69 locations). Surface water samples were also collected during a complete seasonal cycle along the Mille Iles River (17 locations), a tributary impacted by wastewater effluents and sewer overflows. In total, 137 surface water samples were analyzed for steroid hormones (altrenogest, androstenedione, equilin, equilenin, ethinylestradiol, α-estradiol, β-estradiol, estriol, estrone, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, progesterone, testosterone) and bisphenol A, in both the dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Of the 15 targeted EDCs, 14 compounds presented positive detections in the dissolved phase and 13 in the SPM. Summed EDC concentrations were reported in the range of 0.4–73 ng L−1 in dissolved phase samples and 0.1–228 ng g−1 in SPM samples. Bisphenol A was rarely detected in the dissolved phase but accumulated at high levels in suspended solids. Summed concentrations of hormones were generally higher during the spring and winter seasons, and lower during the summer. Estradiol (β-E2) presented the most frequent exceedances to the predicted no-effect concentration threshold (28/137 samples above the PNEC, or 20%), while a few exceedances were also reported for ethinylestradiol (4/137 above the PNEC, or 3%). The total estrogenic activity (EEQtotal) was higher than the threshold of 1 ng E2 L−1 for 26/137 samples, with estriol (E3) and β-E2 the preponderant contributors.

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