High-Throughput Transcriptomics of Water Extracts Detects Reductions in Biological Activity with Water Treatment Processes.

The presence of numerous chemical contaminants from industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical sources in water supplies poses a potential risk to human and ecological health. Current chemical analyses suffer from limitations, including chemical coverage and high cost, and broad-coverage in vitro assays such as transcriptomics may further improve water quality monitoring by assessing a large range of possible effects. Here, we used high-throughput transcriptomics to assess the activity induced by field-derived water extracts in MCF7 breast carcinoma cells. Wastewater and surface water extracts induced the largest changes in expression among cell proliferation-related genes and neurological, estrogenic, and antibiotic pathways, whereas drinking and reclaimed water extracts that underwent advanced treatment showed substantially reduced bioactivity on both gene and pathway levels. Importantly, reclaimed water extracts induced fewer changes in gene expression than laboratory blanks, which reinforces previous conclusions based on targeted assays and improves confidence in bioassay-based monitoring of water quality.

Passive-Sampler-Derived PCB and OCP Concentrations in the Waters of the World─First Results from the AQUA-GAPS/MONET Network.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has been missing due to logistical, analytical, and financial reasons. Passive samplers have emerged as an attractive alternative to active water sampling methods as they accumulate POPs, represent time-weighted average concentrations, and can easily be shipped and deployed. As part of the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, passive samplers were deployed at 40 globally distributed sites between 2016 and 2020, for a total of 21 freshwater and 40 marine deployments. Results from silicone passive samplers showed α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and γ-HCH displaying the greatest concentrations in the northern latitudes/Arctic Ocean, in stark contrast to the more persistent penta (PeCB)- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which approached equilibrium across sampling sites. Geospatial patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) aqueous concentrations closely matched original estimates of production and use, implying limited global transport. Positive correlations between log-transformed concentrations of Σ7PCB, ΣDDTs, Σendosulfan, and Σchlordane, but not ΣHCH, and the log of population density (p < 0.05) within 5 and 10 km of the sampling sites also supported limited transport from used sites. These results help to understand the extent of global distribution, and eventually time-trends, of organic pollutants in aquatic systems, such as across freshwaters and oceans. Future deployments will aim to establish time-trends at selected sites while adding to the geographical coverage.

Bioanalytical and non-targeted mass spectrometric screening for contaminants of emerging concern in Southern California bight sediments.

Assessing the impact of chemical contaminants on aquatic ecosystem health remains challenging due to complex exposure scenarios and the myriad of impact metrics to consider. To expand the breadth of compounds monitored and evaluate the potential hazard of environmental mixtures, cell-based bioassays (estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)) and non-targeted chemical analyses with high resolution mass spectrometry (NTA-HRMS) were used to assess the quality of ∼70 marine sediment samples collected from 5 distinct coastal and offshore habitats of the Southern California Bight. AhR responses (<0.12-4.5 ng TCDD/g dry weight) were more frequently detectable and more variable than for ERα (<0.1-0.5 ng E2/g dry weight). The range of AhR and ERα responses increased by habitat as follows: Channel Islands < Mid-shelf < Marinas < Ports < Estuaries. The narrow range and magnitude of ERα screening response suggested limited potential for estrogenic impacts across sediments from all 5 habitats. The AhR response was positively correlated with total PAH and PCB concentrations and corresponded with a chemical score index representing the severity of metal and organic contamination. NTA-HRMS fingerprints generated in positive electrospray ionization mode were clearly distinguishable among coastal vs. offshore samples, with the greatest chemical complexity (n = 982 features detected) observed in estuarine sediment from a highly urbanized watershed (Los Angeles River). The concordance and complementary nature of bioscreening and NTA-HRMS results indicates their utility as holistic proxies for sediment quality, and when analyzed in conjunction with routine targeted chemical monitoring, show promise in identifying unexpected contaminants and novel toxicants.

Bioanalytical and chemical-specific screening of contaminants of concern in three California (USA) watersheds.

To broaden the scope of contaminants monitored in human-impacted riverine systems, water, sediment, and treated wastewater effluent were analyzed using receptor-based cell assays that provide an integrated response to chemicals based on their mode of biological activity. Samples were collected from three California (USA) watersheds with varying degrees of urbanization and discharge from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To complement cell assay results, samples were also analyzed for a suite of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC- and LC-MS/MS). For most water and sediment samples, bioassay equivalent concentrations for estrogen and glucocorticoid receptor assays (ER- and GR-BEQs, respectively) were near or below reporting limits. Measured CEC concentrations compared to monitoring trigger values established by a science advisory panel indicated minimal to moderate concern in water but suggested that select pesticides (pyrethroids and fipronil) had accumulated to levels of greater concern in river sediments. Integrating robust, standardized bioanalytical tools such as the ER and GR assays utilized in this study into existing chemical-specific monitoring and assessment efforts will enhance future CEC monitoring efforts in impacted riverine systems and coastal watersheds.

Transcriptomic response patterns of hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) dosed with polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

To evaluate the impact of environmental contaminants on aquatic health, extensive surveys of fish populations have been conducted using bioaccumulation as an indicator of impairment. While these studies have reported mixtures of chemicals in fish tissues, the relationship between specific contaminants and observed adverse impacts remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to characterize the toxicological responses induced by persistent organic pollutants in wild-caught hornyhead turbot (P. verticalis). To do so, hornyhead turbot were interperitoneally injected with a single dose of PCB or PBDE congeners prepared using environmentally realistic mixture proportions. After 96-hour exposure, the livers were excised and analyzed using transcriptomic approaches and analytical chemistry. Concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs measured in the livers indicated clear differences across treatments, and congener profiles closely mirrored our expectations. Distinct gene profiles were characterized for PCB and PBDE exposed fish, with significant differences observed in the expression of genes associated with immune responses, endocrine-related functions, and lipid metabolism. Our findings highlight the key role that transcriptomics can play in monitoring programs to assess chemical-induced toxicity in heterogeneous group of fish (mixed gender and life stage) as is typically found during field surveys. Altogether, the present study provides further evidence of the potential of transcriptomic tools to improve aquatic health assessment and identify causative agents.

Evaluating the estrogenicity of an effluent-dominated river in California, USA: Comparisons of in vitro and in vivo bioassays.

Estrogenically active compounds (EACs) in surface waters can disrupt the endocrine system of biota, raising concern for aquatic species. Concentrations of EACs are generally higher in effluent-dominated aquatic systems, such as California's Santa Ana River (SAR). Addressing estrogenicity of effluent-dominated waters is increasingly important due to both increasing urbanization and climate change. To this end, water samples were collected from multiple sites downstream of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and intermittent points along the SAR during 2018-2019 and cell-based bioassays were used to determine estrogen receptor activity. During baseflow conditions, the highest estradiol equivalencies (EEQs) from all SAR water between summer (August and September) and fall (November) sampling events in 2018 were from Yorba Linda (EEQ = 1.36 ± 0.38 ng/L) and Prado (1.14 ± 0.13 ng/L), respectively. Water extracts in January 2019 following a major rainfall generally had higher EEQs with the highest EEQ of 10.0 ± 0.69 ng/L observed at Yorba Linda. During low flow conditions in November 2018, male Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) fish were exposed to SAR water to compare to cell bioassay responses and targeted analytical chemistry for 5 steroidal estrogens. Chemical-based EEQ correlations with in vitro EEQs were statistically significant. However, vitellogenin (vtg) mRNA expression in the livers of medaka exposed to SAR water was not significantly different compared to controls. These results indicate that seasonal variation and surface water runoff events influence estrogenic activity in the SAR and may induce estrogenic effects to native fish populations in wastewater-dominated streams in general.

Ex situ determination of freely dissolved concentrations of hydrophobic organic chemicals in sediments and soils: basis for interpreting toxicity and assessing bioavailability, risks and remediation necessity.

The freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) of hydrophobic organic chemicals in sediments and soils is considered the driver behind chemical bioavailability and, ultimately, toxic effects in benthic organisms. Therefore, quantifying Cfree, although challenging, is critical when assessing risks of contamination in field and spiked sediments and soils (e.g., when judging remediation necessity or interpreting results of toxicity assays performed for chemical safety assessments). Here, we provide a state-of-the-art passive sampling protocol for determining Cfree in sediment and soil samples. It represents an international consensus procedure, developed during a recent interlaboratory comparison study. The protocol describes the selection and preconditioning of the passive sampling polymer, critical incubation system component dimensions, equilibration and equilibrium condition confirmation, quantitative sampler extraction, quality assurance/control issues and final calculations of Cfree. The full procedure requires several weeks (depending on the sampler used) because of prolonged equilibration times. However, hands-on time, excluding chemical analysis, is approximately 3 d for a set of about 15 replicated samples.

Apex marine predators and ocean health: Proactive screening of halogenated organic contaminants reveals ecosystem indicator species.

Despite decades-long bans on the production and use of certain chemicals, many halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are persistent and can bioaccumulate in the marine environment with the potential to cause physiological harm to marine fauna. Highly lipid-rich tissue (e.g., marine mammal blubber) functions as a reservoir for HOCs, and selecting ideal indicator species is a priority for retrospective and proactive screening efforts. We selected five marine mammal species as possible indicators for the Southern California Bight (SCB) and applied a non-targeted analytical method paired with an automated data reduction strategy to catalog a broad range of known, known but unexpected, and unknown compounds in their blubber. A total of 194 HOCs were detected across the study species (n = 25 individuals), 81% of which are not routinely monitored, including 30 halogenated natural products and 45 compounds of unknown structure and origin. The cetacean species (long-beaked common dolphin, short-beaked common dolphin, and Risso's dolphin) averaged 128 HOCs, whereas pinnipeds (California sea lion and Pacific harbor seal) averaged 47 HOCs. We suspect this disparity can be attributed to differences in life history, foraging strategies, and/or enzyme-mediated metabolism. Our results support proposing (1) the long- and short-beaked common dolphin as apex marine predator sentinels for future and retrospective biomonitoring of the SCB ecosystem and (2) the use of non-targeted contaminant analyses to identify and prioritize emerging contaminants. The use of a sentinel marine species together with the non-targeted analytical approach will enable a proactive approach to environmental contaminant monitoring.

An exponential model based new approach for correcting aqueous concentrations of hydrophobic organic chemicals measured by polyethylene passive samplers.

Although low density polyethylene (PE) passive samplers show promise for the measurement of aqueous phase hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs), the lack of a practical and unsophisticated approach to account for non-equilibrium exposure conditions has impeded widespread acceptance and thus application in situ. The goal of this study was to develop a streamlined approach based on an exponential model and a convection mass transfer principle for correcting aqueous concentrations for HOCs deduced by PE samplers under non-equilibrium conditions. First, uptake rate constants (k1), elimination rate constants (k2), and seawater-PE equilibrium partition coefficients (KPEWs) were determined in laboratory experiments for a diverse suite of HOCs with logKow range of 3.4-8.3. Linear relationships between log k2 and logKow, and between log KPEW and logKow were established. Second, PE samplers pre-loaded with 13C-labeled performance reference compounds (PRCs) were deployed in the ocean to determine their k2in situ. By applying boundary layer and convection mass transfer theories, ratio (C) of k2 values in field and laboratory exposures was estimated. This C value was demonstrated a constant that was only determined by water velocities and widths of PE strips. A generic equation with C and logKow as parameters was eventually established for extrapolation of non-equilibrium correction factors for the water boundary layer-controlled HOCs. Characterizing the hydrodynamic conditions indicated the sampler configuration and mooring mode should aim at sustaining laminar flow on the PE surface for optimal mass transfer. The PE estimates corrected using this novel approach possessed high accuracy and acceptable precision, and can be suited for a broad spectrum of HOCs. The presented method should facilitate routine utilization of the PE samplers.

Advancing the Use of Passive Sampling in Risk Assessment and Management of Sediments Contaminated with Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals: Results of an International Ex Situ Passive Sampling Interlaboratory Comparison.

This work presents the results of an international interlaboratory comparison on ex situ passive sampling in sediments. The main objectives were to map the state of the science in passively sampling sediments, identify sources of variability, provide recommendations and practical guidance for standardized passive sampling, and advance the use of passive sampling in regulatory decision making by increasing confidence in the use of the technique. The study was performed by a consortium of 11 laboratories and included experiments with 14 passive sampling formats on 3 sediments for 25 target chemicals (PAHs and PCBs). The resulting overall interlaboratory variability was large (a factor of ∼10), but standardization of methods halved this variability. The remaining variability was primarily due to factors not related to passive sampling itself, i.e., sediment heterogeneity and analytical chemistry. Excluding the latter source of variability, by performing all analyses in one laboratory, showed that passive sampling results can have a high precision and a very low intermethod variability (

Linking in vitro estrogenicity to adverse effects in the inland silverside (Menidia beryllina).

High-throughput cell assays that detect and integrate the response of multiple chemicals acting via a common mode of action have the potential to enhance current environmental monitoring practices. Establishing the linkage between in vitro and in vivo responses is key to demonstrating that in vitro cell assays can be predictive of ecologically relevant outcomes. The present study investigated the potency of 17ß-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), nonylphenol (NP), and treated wastewater effluent using the readily available GeneBLAzer® estrogen receptor transactivation assay and 2 life stages of the inland silverside (Menidia beryllina). In vitro estrogenic potencies were ranked as follows: E2 > E1 >> NP. All 3 model estrogens induced vitellogenin and choriogenin expression in a dose-dependent manner in larvae and juveniles. However, apical effects were only found for E2 and E1 exposures of juveniles, which resulted in female-skewed sex ratios. Wastewater effluent samples exhibiting low in vitro estrogenicity (below the 10% effective concentration [EC10]), did not cause significant changes in M. beryllina. Significant induction of estrogen-responsive genes was observed at concentrations 6 to 26 times higher than in vitro responses. Gonadal feminization occurred at concentrations at least 19 to 26 times higher than the in vitro responses. These findings indicated that in vitro cell assays were more sensitive than the fish assays, making it possible to develop in vitro effect thresholds protective of aquatic organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:884-892. © 2017 SETAC.

Measuring freely dissolved DDT and metabolites in seawater using solid-phase microextraction with performance reference compounds.

The coupling of disposable solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with performance reference compounds (PRCs) has been recently introduced to measure time-averaged freely dissolved concentrations (Cfree) of hydrophobic organic contaminants in sediments under laboratory conditions. To explore the use of PRC-SPME for in situ sampling in seawater, disposable PDMS fibers (35-µm and 100-µm coating) preloaded with stable isotope labeled analogues as PRCs were deployed at six stations (each with three depths) in the open ocean of the Palos Verdes Shelf (CA, USA) Superfund site for 33d to measure Cfree of DDT and its degradates. The observed values of fractional equilibration (feq) of PRCs were mostly <0.85, suggesting nonequilibrium conditions at the end of deployment. The observed feqs for the samplers varied with compound, sampling station and depth, validating the need for calibration to derive accurate Cfree. The Cfree values of DDE and DDD determined with PRC-SPME were in good agreement with those previously measured by in situ large-volume water sampling or polyethylene devices. The highest Cfree in seawater 5m off the ocean floor was 750pgL-1 for o,p'-DDE, 2170pgL-1 for p,p'-DDE, 24pgL-1 for o,p'-DDD, and 75pgL-1 for p,p'-DDD. Results of this study demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of using disposable PDMS fiber coupled with PRCs for in situ sampling.

Nontargeted Screening of Halogenated Organic Compounds in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

To catalog the diversity and abundance of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) accumulating in high trophic marine species from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, tissue from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded or incidentally captured along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed by a nontargeted approach based on GC×GC/TOF-MS. A total of 158 individual HOCs from 32 different structural classes were detected in the blubber of 4 adult male T. truncatus. Nearly 90% of the detected compounds are not routinely monitored in the environment. DDT-related and mirex/dechlorane-related compounds were the most abundant classes of anthropogenic origin. Methoxy-brominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs) and chlorinated methyl- and dimethyl bipyrroles (MBPs and DMBPs) were the most abundant natural products. Reported for the first time in southwestern Atlantic cetaceans and in contrast to North American marine mammals, chlorinated MBPs and DMBPs were more abundant than their brominated and/or mixed halogenated counterparts. HOC profiles in coastal T. truncatus from Brazil and California revealed a distinct difference, with a higher abundance of MeO-BDEs, mirex/dechloranes and chlorinated bipyrroles in the Brazilian dolphins. Thirty-six percent of the detected HOCs had an unknown structure. These results suggest broad geographical differences in the patterns of bioaccumulative chemicals found in the marine environment and indicate the need to develop more complete catalogs of HOCs from various marine environments.

A New Film-Based Passive Sampler for Moderately Hydrophobic Organic Compounds.

Passive samplers for moderately hydrophobic organic compounds (MHOCs) (i.e., log Kow ranging from 2 to 5) are under-developed compared to those that target polar or strongly hydrophobic compounds. The goal of this study was to identify a suitable polymer and develop a robust and sensitive film-based passive sampler for MHOCs in aquatic systems. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) exhibited the highest affinity for fipronil and its three metabolites (i.e., fipronils) (log Kow 2.4-4.8) as model MHOCs compared with polyethylene and nylon films. In addition, a 30-60 min treatment of PMMA in ethyl ether was found to increase its sorption capacity by a factor of 10. Fipronils and 108 additional compounds (log Kow 2.4-8.5) reached equilibrium on solvent-treated PMMA within 120 h under mixing conditions and their uptake closely followed first-order kinetics. PMMA-water partition coefficients and Kow revealed an inverse parabolic relationship, with vertex at log Kow of 4.21 ± 0.19, suggesting that PMMA was ideal for MHOCs. The PMMA sampler was tested in an urban surface stream, and in spiked sediment. The results demonstrated that PMMA film, after a simple solvent swelling treatment, may be used as an effective passive sampler for determining Cfree of MHOCs in aquatic environments.

Newly Identified DDT-Related Compounds Accumulating in Southern California Bottlenose Dolphins.

Nontargeted GC×GC-TOF/MS analysis of blubber from 8 common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting the Southern California Bight was performed to identify novel, bioaccumulative DDT-related compounds and to determine their abundance relative to the commonly studied DDT-related compounds. We identified 45 bioaccumulative DDT-related compounds of which the majority (80%) is not typically monitored in environmental media. Identified compounds include transformation products, technical mixture impurities such as tris(chlorophenyl)methane (TCPM), the presumed TCPM metabolite tris(chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH), and structurally related compounds with unknown sources, such as hexa- to octachlorinated diphenylethene. To investigate impurities in pesticide mixtures as possible sources of these compounds, we analyzed technical DDT, the primary source of historical contamination in the region, and technical Dicofol, a current use pesticide that contains DDT-related compounds. The technical mixtures contained only 33% of the compounds identified in the blubber, suggesting that transformation products contribute to the majority of the load of DDT-related contaminants in these sentinels of ocean health. Quantitative analysis revealed that TCPM was the second most abundant compound class detected in the blubber, following DDE, and TCPMOH loads were greater than DDT. QSPR estimates verified 4,4',4″-TCPM and 4,4'4,″-TCPMOH are persistent and bioaccumulative.

Trophic transfer and effects of DDT in male hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) from Palos Verdes Superfund site, CA (USA) and comparisons to field monitoring.

High concentrations of DDT and metabolites (ΣDDT) have been detected in sediment and the demersal flatfish hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichtys verticalis) collected from Palos Verdes (PV), California, USA, a site contaminated with over 100 metric tons of DDT throughout 1960s-70s. This study was conducted to assess the transfer of ΣDDT from PV-sediment into polychaetes (Neanthes arenaceodentata) and hornyhead turbot, and to investigate if the responses in turbots from two different laboratory exposures mimic those in turbots caught in PV (PV-turbot). Turbot fed PV-sediment-contaminated polychaete for 7 days had liver concentrations of ΣDDT similar to PV-turbot. After 28 days, ΣDDT also accumulated in livers of turbot gavaged with a ΣDDT mixture. In vitro cell bioassays indicated significant increases of 17ß-estradiol equivalents (EEQ) in turbot bile extracts as compared to the control in the 7-day study. These responses corresponded to those measured in PV-fish. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR), anti-androgen receptor (anti-AR), estrogen receptor (ER) or aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activities were also observed in extracts of PV-sediment, and PV-sediment-exposed worm. Anti-AR, AhR and GR activities were significantly higher in PV-sediment than reference sediment (San Diego, SD). Higher transcripts of hepatic VTG, ERα and ERß were found in PV-turbot than SD-turbot, but were unaltered in fish exposed to sediment-contaminated worms for the 7-day study. In contrast, liver extracts from the 28-day treatment of ΣDDT showed lower EEQ but similar hepatic VTG and ERß transcripts relative to those of PV-turbot. These data indicated that trophic transfer of sediment-associated DDT in 7-day exposures corresponded to field measurements of DDT residues and in vitro ER bioactivities, but failed to mimic in vivo biological effects observed in field fish. In contrast, treatment with ΣDDT alone for 28 days mimicked in vivo biological effects of DDTs in PV fish, but did not correspond to liver concentrations or in vitro bioactivities.

Multimedia screening of contaminants of emerging concern (CECS) in coastal urban watersheds in southern California (USA).

To examine the occurrence and fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and inform future monitoring of CECs in coastal urban waterways, water, sediment, and fish tissue samples were collected and analyzed for a broad suite of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), commercial and/or household chemicals, current use pesticides, and hormones in an effluent-dominated river and multiple embayments in southern California (USA). In the Santa Clara River, which receives treated wastewater from several facilities, aqueous phase CECs were detectable at stations nearest discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants but were attenuated downstream. Sucralose and the chlorinated phosphate flame retardants tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were most abundant in water, with maximum concentrations of 35 µg/L, 3.3 µg/L, 1.4 µg/L, and 0.81 µg/L, respectively. Triclocarban, an antimicrobial agent in use for decades, was more prevalent in water than triclosan or nonylphenol. Maximum concentrations of bifenthrin, permethrin, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and degradates of fipronil exceeded CEC-specific monitoring trigger levels recently established for freshwater and estuarine sediments by factors of 10 to 1000, respectively. Maximum fish tissue concentrations of PBDEs varied widely (370 ng/g and 7.0 ng/g for the Santa Clara River and coastal embayments, respectively), with most species exhibiting concentrations at the lower end of this range. These results suggest that continued monitoring of pyrethroids, PBDEs, and degradates of fipronil in sediment is warranted in these systems. In contrast, aqueous pharmaceutical concentrations in the Santa Clara River were not close to exceeding current monitoring trigger levels, suggesting a lower priority for targeted monitoring in this medium. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1986-1994. © 2016 SETAC.

Screening for Endocrine Activity in Water Using Commercially-available In Vitro Transactivation Bioassays.

In vitro transactivation bioassays have shown promise as water quality monitoring tools, however their adoption and widespread application has been hindered partly due to a lack of standardized methods and availability of robust, user-friendly technology. In this study, commercially available, division-arrested cell lines were employed to quantitatively screen for endocrine activity of chemicals present in water samples of interest to environmental quality professionals. A single, standardized protocol that included comprehensive quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checks was developed for Estrogen and Glucocorticoid Receptor activity (ER and GR, respectively) using a cell-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay. Samples of treated municipal wastewater effluent and surface water from freshwater systems in California (USA), were extracted using solid phase extraction and analyzed for endocrine activity using the standardized protocol. Background and dose-response for endpoint-specific reference chemicals met QA/QC guidelines deemed necessary for reliable measurement. The bioassay screening response for surface water samples was largely not detectable. In contrast, effluent samples from secondary treatment plants had the highest measurable activity, with estimated bioassay equivalent concentrations (BEQs) up to 392 ng dexamethasone/L for GR and 17 ng 17ß-estradiol/L for ER. The bioassay response for a tertiary effluent sample was lower than that measured for secondary effluents, indicating a lower residual of endocrine active chemicals after advanced treatment. This protocol showed that in vitro transactivation bioassays that utilize commercially available, division-arrested cell "kits", can be adapted to screen for endocrine activity in water.

A tiered, integrated biological and chemical monitoring framework for contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic ecosystems.

The chemical-specific risk-based paradigm that informs monitoring and assessment of environmental contaminants does not apply well to the many thousands of new chemicals that are being introduced into ambient receiving waters. We propose a tiered framework that incorporates bioanalytical screening tools and diagnostic nontargeted chemical analysis to more effectively monitor for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). The framework is based on a comprehensive battery of in vitro bioassays to first screen for a broad spectrum of CECs and nontargeted analytical methods to identify bioactive contaminants missed by the currently favored targeted analyses. Water quality managers in California have embraced this strategy with plans to further develop and test this framework in regional and statewide pilot studies on waterbodies that receive discharge from municipal wastewater treatment plants and stormwater runoff. In addition to directly informing decisions, the data obtained using this framework can be used to construct and validate models that better predict CEC occurrence and toxicity. The adaptive interplay among screening results, diagnostic assessment and predictive modeling will allow managers to make decisions based on the most current and relevant information, instead of extrapolating from parameters with questionable linkage to CEC impacts. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:540-547. © 2015 SETAC.

A passive sampler based on solid phase microextraction (SPME) for sediment-associated organic pollutants: Comparing freely-dissolved concentration with bioaccumulation.

The elevated occurrence of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and legacy organchlorine pesticides (e.g. chlordane and DDT) in estuarine sediments continues to poses challenges for maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. Current efforts to develop and apply protective, science-based sediment quality regulations for impaired waterbodies are hampered by non-concordance between model predictions and measured bioaccumulation and toxicity. A passive sampler incorporating commercially available solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers was employed in lab and field studies to measure the freely dissolved concentration of target HOCs (Cfree) and determine its suitability as a proxy for bioaccumulation. SPME deduced Cfree for organochlorines was highly correlated with tissue concentrations (Cb) of Macoma and Nereis spp. co-exposed in laboratory microcosms containing both spiked and naturally contaminated sediments. This positive association was also observed in situ for endemic bivalves, where SPME samplers were deployed for up to 1 month at an estuarine field site. The concordance between Cb and Cfree for PAH was more variable, in part due to likely biotransformation by model invertebrates. These results indicate that SPME passive samplers can serve as a proxy for bioaccumulation of sediment-associated organochlorines in both lab and field studies, reducing the uncertainty associated with model predictions that do not adequately account for differential bioavailability.