| Effluent Concentrations | Estrone was reported in 37% of 95-144 samples of central California municipal waste water treatment plant effluent with a maximum concentration of 19.5 ng/L(1). The compound was tested for but not detected (detection limit = 0.4 ng/L) in effluent samples collected from the Jefferson Parish East Bank Wastewater Treatment Plant in New Orleans, Louisiana between September and November, 2001. It was not detected in effluent samples collected during the same time from the A.H. Weeks Water Treatment Plant and the ENWIN Pilot Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada(2). The mean estrone concentration in effluents samples from a large coastal primary sewage treatment plant in Malabar, Sydney, Australia was 54 ng/L(3). Estrone was detected in 15 of 16 effluent samples collected from Ulm, Langenau, and Blaubeuren, southern Germany between June to October 2000 at concentrations ranging from 0.35 to 18 ng/L, median 3.4 ng/L(4). Estrone was detected in 20 of 38 German municipal sewage treatment plant effluents at a median concentration of 0.001 ug/L, maximum 0.070 ug/L(5). Estrone was detected at concentrations of 71.4 (July 2003), 57.8 (Sept 2003), and 17.2 ng/L (Feb 2004) in effluent from the Eysines Sewage Treatment Plant (northern suburbs, Bordeaux, France) and runs through agricultural and residential areas(6). Concentrations in sewage treatment plant effluents were as follows: Italy, 10/99-03/2000, 30 samples, 2.5-92.1 ng/L (9.3 ng/L median)Netherlands, 10/97-12/97, 6 samples, <0.4-47 ng/L (4.5 ng/L median)Germany, 11/97, 16 samples, <detection limit-70 ng/L (9 ng/L median)Canada, 11/97, 10 samples, <detection limit-48 ng/L (3 ng/L median): UK, 5/95-1/96, 21 samples, 1.4-76 ng/L (9.9 ng/L median)Germany, 6/2000-10/2000, 16 samples, <0.1-18 ng/L (1.5 ng/L median)(7).Estrone was detected in a typical dairy waste disposal system for 2000 dairy cows in San Jacinto, CA (ug/kg dry weight) as followsfresh manure less than 2 hrs old, 535piled manure at 2 weeks, 6973 lagoon dams at 3 months at 93, 107, and 68, respectively(2).Land application of animal manures such as poultry litter is a common practice, especially in states with surplus manure. Past studies have shown that animal manure may contain estrogens, which are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and may pose a threat to aquatic and wildlife species. We evaluated the concentrations of estrogens in surface runoff from experimental plots (5 x 12 m each) receiving raw and pelletized poultry litter. We evaluated the free (estrone, E117beta-estradiol, E2betaestriol, E3) and conjugate forms (glucuronides and sulfates) of estrogens, which differ in their toxicity. Sampling was performed for 10 natural storm events over a 4-mo period (April-July 2008). Estrogen concentrations were screened using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), followed by quantification using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Concentrations of estrogens from ELISA were much higher than the LC/MS/MS values, indicating crossreactivity with organic compounds. Exports of estrogens were much lower from soils amended with pelletized poultry litter than the raw form of the litter. No-tillage management practice also resulted in a lower export of estrogens with surface runoff compared with reduced tillage. The concentrations and exports of conjugate forms of estrogens were much higher than the free forms for some treatments, indicating that the conjugate forms should be considered for a comprehensive assessment of the threat posed by estrogens. |
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