Bioanalytical and instrumental analysis of estrogenic activities in drinking water sources from Yangtze River Delta

The estrogenic activities of source water from Yangtze River, Huaihe River, Taihu Lake and groundwater in Yangtze River Delta in the dry and wet season were determined by use of reporter gene assays based on African green monkey kidney (CV-1) cell lines. Higher estrogenic activities were observed in the dry season, and the estrogenic potentials in water samples from Taihu Lake were greater than other river basins. None of the samples from groundwater showed estrogen receptor (ER) agonist activity. The 17β-Estradiol (E2) equivalents (EEQs) of water samples in the dry season ranged from 9.41 × 10−1 to 1.20 × 101 ng E2 L−1. In the wet season, EEQs of all the water samples were below the detection limit as 9.00 × 10−1 ng E2 L−1 except for one sample from Huaihe River. The highest contribution of E2 was detected in Yangtze River as 99% of estrogenic activity. Nonylphenol (NP, 100% detection rate) and octylphenol (OP, 100% detection rate) might also be responsible for the estrogenic activities in water sources. Potential health risk induced by the estrogenic chemicals in source water may be posed to the residents through water drinking.

► We tested estrogenic activity of source water in eastern China in dry and wet season.
► Higher estrogenic potentials were observed in dry season and in Taihu Lake.
► ER agonist equivalent values showed six tested water samples had potential risks.
► Quantification analysis showed E2 was a contributor to estrogenic activity.
► Qualitative analysis showed NP and OP might also be decisive for estrogenic activity.