Anthropogenic tracers, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and endocrine disruption in Minnesota lakes

Science of the Total Environment
By: , and 

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Abstract

Concentrations of endocrine disrupting chemicals and endocrine disruption in fish were determined in 11 lakes across Minnesota that represent a range of trophic conditions and land uses (urban, agricultural, residential, and forested) and in which wastewater treatment plant discharges were absent. Water, sediment, and passive polar organic integrative samplers (POCIS) were analyzed for steroidal hormones, alkylphenols, bisphenol A, and other organic and inorganic molecular tracers to evaluate potential non-point source inputs into the lakes. Resident fish from the lakes were collected, and caged male fathead minnows were deployed to evaluate endocrine disruption, as indicated by the biological endpoints of plasma vitellogenin and gonadal histology. Endocrine disrupting chemicals, including bisphenol A, 17β-estradiol, estrone, and 4-nonylphenol were detected in 90% of the lakes at part per trillion concentrations. Endocrine disruption was observed in caged fathead minnows and resident fish in 90% of the lakes. The widespread but variable occurrence of anthropogenic chemicals in the lakes and endocrine disruption in fish indicates that potential sources are diverse, not limited to wastewater treatment plant discharges, and not entirely predictable based on trophic status and land use.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Anthropogenic tracers, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and endocrine disruption in Minnesota lakes
Series title Science of the Total Environment
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.07.018
Volume 409
Issue 1
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, National Research Program - Central Branch
Description 12 p.
First page 100
Last page 111
Country United States
State Minnesota
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