Variations in seasonal and temporal EDC contamination in tributaries of the Shenandoah River in Virginia were measured over a period of two years; samples were collected from rivers and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to evaluate the contribution of rural and urban activities. After extraction, we determined estrogenic activity in samples with the Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES). The concentration of 17 �-estradiol (E2) was determined by ELISA.  In streams, EDC concentrations (EEQ) ranged from non-detectable to 18 ng/L, with a mean of 3.6 ng/L. We observed the highest amounts following rainfall events, particularly in streams impacted by agricultural activity. EDC levels rise about 150% after heavy rainfall, due to runoff. In WWTP effluents, the EDC levels ranged from non-detectable to 3.22 ng/L. Preliminary ELISA results appear to support the previous observation of rising EDC levels due to runoff; furthermore, the bulk of the estrogenic activity results from E2 in samples.

Effect of runoff and seasonal change on concentrations of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in rural and urban areas

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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