title: Identification of nonregulated pollutants in North Sea-produced water discharges.
abstract: Produced water collected from oil and gas platforms on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf was characterized for nonregulated pollutants through an effects-directed analysis procedure. Produced water samples were characterized for the presence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptor (ER) agonists using the dioxin-responsive, chemical-activated luciferase gene expression assay (DR-CALUX) and yeast estrogen screen (YES) bioassays. The AhR and ER agonists were then isolated by normal-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography and identified using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in a number of formats. The identified compounds were cross-referenced with those compounds routinely analyzed and regarded by the Oslo and Paris (OSPAR) Commission for the North East Atlantic as priority hazardous substances. The occurrence in produced water of a number of nonregulated compounds with demonstrable potential environmental effects is presented, to our knowledge for the first time. These include persistent organic contaminants, such as hexachlorobenzene, decachlorobiphenyl, and octachlorodibenzofuran.
authors.affiliation: Center for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 OHT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Balaam
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chan-Man
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Kevin V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000819:agonists; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000819:agonists; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008156:Luciferases