title: An integrated assessment of estrogenic contamination and biological effects in the aquatic environment of The Netherlands.
abstract: An extensive study was carried out in the Netherlands on the occurrence of a number of estrogenic compounds in surface water, sediment, biota, wastewater, rainwater and on the associated effects in fish. Compounds investigated included natural and synthetic hormones, phthalates, alkylphenol(ethoxylate)s and bisphenol-A. The results showed that almost all selected (xeno-)estrogens were present at low concentrations in the aquatic environment. Locally, they were found at higher levels. Hormones and nonylphenol(ethoxylate)s were present in concentrations that are reportedly high enough to cause estrogenic effects in fish. Field surveys did not disclose significant estrogenic effects in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) in the open sea and in Dutch estuaries. Minor to moderate estrogenic effects were observed in bream (Abramis brama) in major inland surface waters such as lowland rivers and a harbor area. The prevalence of feminizing effects in male fish is largest in small regional surface waters that are strongly influenced by sources of potential hormone-disrupting compounds. High concentrations of plasma vitellogenin and an increased prevalence of ovotestes occurred in wild male bream in a small river receiving a considerable load of effluent from a large sewage treatment plant. After employing in vitro and in vivo bioassays, both in situ and in the laboratory, we conclude that in this case hormones (especially 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol) and possibly also nonylphenol(ethoxylate)s are primarily responsible for these effects.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Coastal and Marine Management, P.O. Box 20907, 2500 EX The Hague, The Netherlands. a.d.vethaak@rikz.rws.minvenw.nl
authors.forename: A Dick
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vethaak
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahr
authors.forename: S Marca
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schrap
authors.forename: Angélique C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Belfroid
authors.forename: Gerard B J
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Rijs
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gerritsen
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: Astrid S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bulder
authors.forename: Guy C M
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Grinwis
authors.forename: Raoul V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Kuiper
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Legler
authors.forename: Tinka A J
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Murk
authors.forename: Willie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peijnenburg
authors.forename: Henk J M
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Verhaar
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Voogt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D005399:Fishes / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D004967:Estrogens; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical