Occurrence of estrogenic chemicals in South Korean surface waters and municipal wastewaters

Broad scale monitoring of estrogenic compounds was performed at 19 sampling points throughout the Yeongsan and Seomjin river basins and 5 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) adjacent to the Gwangju area, Korea, from December 2005 to August 2007. The concentrations of estrogenic compounds, including estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol-A, nonylphenol (NP) and 4-octylphenol (OP), in the samples was measured with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, the estrogenic activities throughout the river were investigated using the E-screen assay. Of the six estrogenic chemicals, NP (114.6-336.1 ng L(-1)) and EE2 (0.23-1.90 ng L(-1)) were detected at the highest and lowest levels, respectively in both the river waters and the WWTP effluents. Bisphenol-A showed the largest concentration range, from 7.5 to 335 ng L(-1). The concentrations of E1, E2 and octylphenol ranges were 3.6-69.1, 1.2-10.7, and 2.2-16.9 ng L(-1), respectively. According to the calculated estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ); however, no estrogenic contribution was observed due to the phenolic compounds in the river waters and effluents. E1 and E2 dominated in both the river water and effluent samples, with contributions to the calculated EEQ of over 79 and 77%, respectively. Conversely, EE2 was rarely detected in the river waters (21%) and effluents (0%). The largest contribution of EE2 to the calculated EEQ was 21% in the river water at S-7. The levels of E1, E2, and EE2 were remarkably decreased in the effluents, indicating that the 5 WWTPs did not contribute to the estrogenic effect of the receiving streams. Overall, the WWTPs did not contributed to the estrogenic activity of the receiving waters, but the livestock industry or wildlife may play an important role in the estrogenic contribution to river water.     

Emission of volatile organic sulfur compounds from a heavily polluted river in Guangzhou, South China

Emissions of five volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs), including methanethiol, carbonyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, and dimethyl disulfide, from a heavily polluted river, Shijing River in Guangzhou of South China, was studied. The results showed that the amounts of all VOSCs emitted from the river increased from downstream to upstream along the river with increasing magnitude of water pollution. The emission of carbonyl sulfide was the highest among the target analytes, ranging from 23.8 microg m(-2) h(-1) to 42.6 microg m(-2) h(-1) at the water surface of Shijin River. The concentration levels of VOSCs on the riverbank were lower than those at the water surface either in Shijing River or in Liuxi River. However, the contribution of dimethyl disulfide to the total VOSCs on the riverbank was higher than that at the water surface in most sampling sites, indicating that there might be a point source of dimethyl disulfide on the riverbank besides diffusion from water surface. The 24-h semi-continuous monitoring data revealed that the emissions of VOSCs at the water surface peaked at 9:00 and 21:00, which was consistent with the water quality variability in Shijin River caused by daily tidal variation.     

Endocrine disrupting chemicals in New Orleans surface waters and Mississippi Sound sediments

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), represented by steroid hormones, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and bisphenol A have been determined in four sediment cores from the Gulf of Mexico, from New Orleans surface water (Lake Pontchartrain and Mississippi River), and from the influent and effluent of a New Orleans municipal sewage treatment plant. During the five-month monitoring of selected EDCs in the Mississippi River (MR) and Lake Pontchartrain (LP) in 2008, 21 of 29 OCPs in MR and 17 of 29 OCPs in LP were detected; bisphenol A was detected in all of the samples. Steroid hormones (estrone, 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol) were detected occasionally. Total EDC (OCPs + PCBs + steroid hormones + bisphenol A) concentrations in the two surface water samples were found to vary from 148 to 1112 ng L(-1). Strong correlation of the distribution of total OCPs, total PCBs and total EDCs between solid and water phases was found in LP, while moderate or no correlation existed in MR. OCPs, PCBs, steroid hormones, and bisphenol A were all detected in the ocean sediments, and total EDCs were measured in the range of 77 to 1796 ng g(-1) dry sediment weight. The EDCs were also found in untreated and treated municipal sewage samples with a removal efficiency of 83% for OCPs but no removal efficiency for 17α-ethinylestradiol.     

Occurrence and removal efficiencies of eight EDCs and estrogenicity in a STP

The occurrence and removal of eight endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), including estrone (E(1)), 17β-estradiol (E(2)), estriol (E(3)), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE(2)), diethylstilbestrol (DES), bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP), and their estrogenicities were investigated in a sewage treatment plant in Harbin city, China. The EDCs were extracted from wastewater samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) method and analyzed with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The average concentrations in the influents and effluents ranged from 6.3 (EE(2)) to 1725.8 ng L(-1) (NP) and from 相似文献   

Input of selected human pharmaceutical metabolites into the Norwegian aquatic environment

The occurrence of the metabolites of five human pharmaceuticals was investigated in treated wastewater, surface waters and sediments. Metabolites of carbamazepine (carbamazepine epoxide), diclofenac (4'- and 5-hydroxy diclofenac) and atorvastatin (o- and p-hydroxy atorvastatin) were typically detected in flow proportional 24 h composite samples of wastewater effluent collected from the Norwegian cities of Oslo and Troms? at higher concentrations than the parent pharmaceutical. The concentrations determined in discharged effluent were as high as 3700 ng L(-1) for 5-hydroxy diclofenac. The overall mean concentration of metabolites being typically higher in the primary treated effluent from the city of Troms? compared to the tertiary treatment performed on the Oslo effluent. Metabolites of carbamazepine (carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide), metoprolol (α-hydroxy metoprolol) and simvastatin (hydroxy simvastatin) were detected in surface water samples collected from Oslofjord at concentrations of up to 108 ng L(-1), whilst α-hydroxy metoprolol and simvastatin hydroxy carboxylic acid were also detected in sediments at low ng L(-1) concentrations. These screening data show that the metabolites of selected pharmaceuticals are being discharged into the Norwegian coastal environment and that certain metabolites occur in marine surface waters and sediments.     

Distribution and risk assessment of organochlorine contaminants in surface water from River Chenab, Pakistan

Concentrations in surface waters (including particulate phase) of the River Chenab ranged from 27-1100 ng L(-1) and 25-1200 ng L(-1) for OCPs and 7.7-110 ng L(-1) and 13-99 ng L(-1) for PCBs during summer and winter, respectively from 2007-2009. DDTs exhibited the highest concentration, followed by HCHs > chlordane > ∑(24)PCBs > ∑other OCPs. Different indicative ratios for organochlorines suggest that current use, long range transport and also past application of these chemicals contribute to the total burden. Statistical analysis highlighted agricultural and industrial activities and municipal waste disposal as main sources of OCPs and PCBs in the riverine ecosystem of the River Chenab. Risk Quotients (RQ(CCCs)) > 10 for DDTs and PCBs levels in collected water samples from the River Chenab suggest that risk from DDTs and PCBs is moderate to severe and fluxes calculated for OCPs and PCBs from the River Chenab to the Indus River were 7.5 tons per year and 1.0 tons per year, respectively.     

Bioluminescent yeast estrogen assay (BLYES) as a sensitive tool to monitor surface and drinking water for estrogenicity

Estrogenic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are a concern due to their ubiquity and recognized adverse effects to humans and wildlife. Methods to assess exposure to and associated risks of their presence in aquatic environment are still under development. The aim of this work is to assess estrogenicity of raw and treated waters with different degrees of pollution. Chemical analyses of selected EDCs were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and estrogenic activity was evaluated using in vitro bioluminescent yeast estrogen assay (BLYES). Most raw water samples (18/20) presented at least one EDC and 16 rendered positive in BLYES. When EDCs were detected, the bioassay usually provided a positive response, except when only bisphenol A was detected at low concentrations. The highest values of estrogenic activity were detected in the most polluted sites. The maximum estrogenic activity observed was 8.7 ng equiv. of E2 L(-1). We compared potencies observed in the bioassay to the relative potency of target compounds and their concentrations failed to fully explain the biological response. This indicates that bioassay is more sensitive than the chemical approach either detecting estrogenic target compounds at lower concentrations, other non-target compounds or even synergistic effects, which should be considered on further investigations. We have not detected either estrogenic activity or estrogenic compounds in drinking water. BLYES showed good sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1 ng equiv. E2 L(-1) and it seems to be a suitable tool for water monitoring.     

东江下游污染源和纳污水体的雌激素效应水平

利用重组双杂交酵母快速检测技术分析了东江下游两个污水厂、8个工业废水排放口和6条受纳河流水体共16个样品中的雌激素效应物质浓度,并按照雌二醇当量(EEQ)计算了水中雌激素效应水平。在被检测废水样品中,排水的EEQ值处于0.3~2.8ng/L之间,其中造纸厂与纸制品厂排水具有明显雌激素效应。采自河涌的6个样品有4个样品检出雌激素活性,雌激素效应水平在1.9~8.8ng EEQ/L之间。结果表明,东江下游行业废水处理厂出水中的EEQ浓度应与河涌水体中的EEQ在相同数量级, 与国内报道的其他地区河流及工厂排水污染水平类似。污染较为严重的河涌水体雌激素水平明显高于污水处理厂及工厂排水,推断污染河涌水体中的雌激素效应物质应来自未经处理的污染源。     

Occurrence, distribution and bioaccumulation of antibiotics in the Haihe River in China

The occurrence, distribution and bioaccumulation of 22 antibiotics, including eight fluoroquinolones (FQs), nine sulfonamides (SAs) and five macrolides (MLs), in the Haihe River were investigated. Surface water, sediment and fish samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. Ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine, erythromycin and roxithromycin were found in all surface water samples. SAs were the predominant antibiotics in surface water samples in the mainstream of Haihe River, with the maximum concentration of 201 ng L(-1) for sulfamethoxazole. Compared with Haihe River, higher concentrations of antibiotics were found in the surface water samples in the Dagu and Chentaizi Drainage Rivers. The antibiotics pollution in the mainstream of Haihe River may derive from its tributaries, whereas the wastewater from fish ponds was not the main source of FQs, SAs and MLs in the river water. In sediment samples, FQs were the most frequently detected antibiotics and their concentrations were much higher than SAs and MLs. The high concentrations and detection frequencies of FQs in sediments indicate that sediments are an important reservoir for FQs as they are strongly adsorbed onto sediments. Ciprofloxacin and erythromycin exhibited potential bioaccumulation in crucian carp, with mean bioaccumulation factors of 3262 L kg(-1) and 4492 L kg(-1), respectively.     

氯胺酮对水生生物的毒性效应及生态风险评估

通过检索在国内外期刊发表的文献中关于我国河流、湖泊中氯胺酮(KET)的数据，评估其在地表水中的暴露水平，利用风险商（RQ）初步分析KET在我国部分地表水环境中的生态风险。结果表明，我国地表水中KET的检出率为20%~100%，最高检出值为420 ng/L，基于发育、繁殖和行为等慢性毒性数据推导出的预测无效应浓度（PNEC）为1.36×10^-6mg/L；基于慢性毒性计算的风险商值为0.03~36.76，表明我国地表水中KET存在风险，其中台湾淡水河、金梅河和广东珠江具有高风险，而北方大部分河流潜在风险较低。     

Occurrence and distribution of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in anthropogenically affected groundwater

Occurrence and distribution of chlorinated and non-chlorinated organophosphates in 72 groundwater samples from Germany under different recharge/infiltration conditions were investigated. Tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were the most frequently detected organophosphates in groundwater samples. Highest individual organophosphate concentrations (>0.1 μg L(-1)) were determined in groundwater polluted by infiltrating leachate and groundwater recharged via riverbank filtration of organophosphate-loaded recipients. In samples from springs and deep groundwater monitoring wells that are not affected by surface waters, organophosphate concentrations were mostly below the limit of detection. The occurrence (3-9 ng L(-1)) of TCPP and TCEP in samples from aquifers with groundwater ages between 20 and 45 years indicates the persistence of both compounds within the aquifer. At urban sites organophosphate-loaded precipitation, surface runoff, and leakage of wastewater influenced groundwater quality. For rural sites, where groundwater recharge is only influenced by precipitation, organophosphates were very rarely detectable in groundwater.     

Determination of six anti-infectives in wastewater using tandem solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A rugged and specific method based on tandem solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of anti-infectives in raw sewage and wastewater plant effluents was developed. Analyte recoveries from spiked effluents ranged from 68 to 104%. Two specific selected reaction monitoring transitions and their peak area ratios were used to avoid false positives and confirm the presence of the targeted substances. Detection limits allowed low nanogram per litre detection (0.3-22 ng L(-1)). The method was successfully applied to real samples from the Montréal wastewater treatment plant. All the studied anti-infectives were found in the wastewater samples in concentrations ranging from 39 to 276 ng L(-1). Mean flows of anti-infectives were estimated from effluent concentrations and it was found that large amounts (>118 g day(-1) up to 830 g day(-1)) are discharged in the receiving waters of the St Lawrence River.     

Occurrence and removal of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in wastewater treatment plants in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, Chongqing, China

Concentrations of six endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), bisphenol A (BPA), estrone (E(1)), 17β-estradiol (E(2)), estriol (E(3)), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE(2)) and diethylstilbestrol (DES), were assessed in influents, effluents and excess sludge in ten municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) area, Chongqing, China. Three types of activated sludge treatment processes, oxidation ditch (OD), reversed anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (rA(2)/O) technology and sequential batch reactor (SBR), were used in the surveyed WWTPs. These WWTPs were all combined landfill leachate-sewage treatment plants. All analytes were extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) in the dissolved phase and by accelerated solvent-based extraction (ASE) in sludge. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for the analysis of EDCs. Among these EDCs, BPA was the most frequently detected and abundant compound (100.0-10566.7 ng L(-1), 15.5-1210.7 ng L(-1) and 85.0-2470.4 ng g(-1) with respect to the influents, effluents and excess sludge samples). The greatest levels of steroidal estrogens in municipal influents were observed in E(3) which were all >100 ng L(-1), followed by E(1) (42.2-110.7 ng L(-1)) and E(2) (7.4-32.7 ng L(-1)), and in the effluents and sludge were E(1) > E(3) > E(2) which were all <31 ng L(-1) and 105 ng g(-1), respectively. Regarding synthetic estrogens, EE(2) was frequently detected in the influents, occurring below 50 ng L(-1), while DES was not detected at all. A high correlation coefficient was observed between the leachate-sludge ratio and concentrations of influent EDCs, and it was statistically significant (i.e., R > 0.65, P < 0.05), but removal efficiency of the EDCs did not show significant differences with OD, rA(2)/O and SBR processes. Furthermore, modification of treatment technology as well as operational parameters, such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), sludge retention time (SRT) and disinfection process (DP), were recommended to further eliminate the residual EDCs.     

中国表层水体沉积物中多环芳烃源解析及评价

采用索氏提取气相色谱-质谱法测定中国6个重点水体表层沉积物中16种多环芳烃的含量。各化合物含量范围分别为长江6.20~163 ng/g、淮河7.90~249 ng/g、海河12.1~401 ng/g、松花江5.75~152 ng/g、太湖29.1~2 810 ng/g和滇池19.1~795ng/g；16种多环芳烃的总量分别为：长江1 147 ng/g、淮河1 723 ng/g、海河2 595 ng/g、松花江793 ng/g、太湖12472 ng/g、滇池3 714 ng/g，属中等污染水平。利用特征分子比值法分析结果表明6条水体表层沉积物中PAHs均可能以燃料（包括柴油、汽油、煤、木材）燃烧以及焦化污染为主。淮河和滇池还可能存在轻微石油泄漏污染。利用沉积物质量基准法（SQGs）和沉积物质量标准法分别对6条水体表层沉积物中多环芳烃的风险评估表明严重的多环芳烃生态风险在这些水体表层沉积物中不存在，但长江、淮河、松花江、海河均可能存在一定的潜在风险，负面生物毒性效应会偶尔发生，风险主要来源于荧蒽和菲。太湖和滇池水体中存在的潜在多环芳烃风险种类较多，风险主要来源于菲、荧蒽、芘、苯并（a）蒽、苊和蒽，对水生生物毒性效应较高，有必要进行更深入细致的调查研究高风险区域底栖生物的受损状况、污染来源和途径，以制定合理的污染控制对策。     

Occurrence of selected antibiotics in Jiulongjiang River in various seasons, South China

The concentrations of six sulfonamides (SAs) and three tetracyclines (TCs) were investigated in Jiulongjiang River during the low water season and the high water season. They were monitored in both surface water and sediment. Total concentrations of all these antibiotics varied from 31 to 25,771 ng g(-1) in sediment samples. In water they ranged from 60 to 2607 ng L(-1) during the low water season and from ND (not detected) to 134 ng L(-1) during the high water season. At the sites nearby breeding farms, chlorotetracycline was found to have the highest concentration of 1036 ng L(-1) in water and 14,666 ng g(-1) in sediments. According to the published data, the concentrations of sulfamethazine, sulfameter and TCs at these sites were higher than that in most rivers. The concentrations during the low water season were tens to hundreds of times higher than that in the high water season. The lower concentrations of TCs in the high water season might result from both dilution and photo-degradation, while dilution and bio-degradation might lead to the lower concentrations of SAs. However, further study is needed to clarify the specific reasons. Concerning the relationship between sediment and water samples, the pseudo-partitioning values of TCs were much higher than SAs. It indicates that the TCs are prone to accumulate in the sediment.     

Dynamics of steroid estrogen daily concentrations in hospital effluent and connected waste water treatment plant

Hospital effluent and connected waste water treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent were sampled daily to determine the levels and inter-day variations of three naturally occurring steroid estrogens: estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, and synthetic 17α-ethinylestradiol. After solid phase extraction, interferences were removed with a silica gel clean-up step and the samples analysed using gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC-MSD). The determined inter-day concentrations in hospital effluent were between 8.6 to 31.3 ng L(-1) for estrone, 相似文献   

Total estrogenic activity and nonylphenol concentration in the Donggang River, Taiwan

We report a survey on the occurrence and distribution of nonylphenol (NP) and 17β-estradiol equivalent quotient (EEQ) concentrations in Donggang River, Taiwan. Concentrations of NP were measured with a high-performance liquid chromatography/fluorescent system and EEQs were carried with an MVLN cell line. Concentrations of NP ranged from less than 93 to 511 ng/L; EEQs ranged from less than 0.16 to 8.64 ng-E2/L. Concentrations of NP were higher in the dry season than in the wet season, which was affected by a high flow rate. In the main watercourse, higher EEQ occurred in the wet season than in the dry season; rainfall may have flushed substances containing estrogenic activity. NP and EEQ concentrations occurred in seawater only in the dry season, especially high EEQ values, and were not detected in the wet season. The reasons are not clear at this moment. Furthermore, NP concentrations provided low contribution to the total estrogenic activity.     

Water and sediment quality of dry season pools in a dryland river system: the upper Leichhardt River, Queensland, Australia

This article presents the geochemical characteristics and physicochemical properties of water and sediment from twelve semi-permanent, dryland pools in the upper Leichhardt River catchment, north-west Queensland, Australia. The pools were examined to better understand the quality of sediments and temporary waters in a dryland system with a well-established metal contamination problem. Water and sediment sampling was conducted at the beginning of the hydroperiod in May and September 2007. Water samples were analyzed for major solute compositions (Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cl, SO(4), HCO(3)) and water-soluble (operationally defined as the <0.45 μm fraction) metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn). Sediment samples were analyzed for total extractable and bioaccessible metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn), elemental composition and grain morphology. At the time of sampling a number of pools contained water and sediment with elevated concentrations, compared to Australian regulatory guidelines, of Cu (maximum: water 28 μg L(-1); sediment 770 mg kg(-1)), Pb (maximum: water 3.4 μg L(-1); sediment 630 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (maximum: water 150 μg L(-1); sediment 780 mg kg(-1)). Concentrations of Cd and As in pools were relatively low and generally within Australian regulatory guideline values. Localized factors, such as the interaction of waters with anthropogenic contaminants from modern and historic mine wastes (i.e. residual smelter and slag materials), exert influence on the quality of pool waters. Although the pools of the upper Leichhardt River catchment are contaminated, they do not appear to be the primary repository of water and sediment associated metals when compared to materials in the remainder channel and floodplain. Nevertheless, a precautionary approach should be adopted to mitigating human exposure to contaminated environments, which might include the installation of appropriate warning signs by local health and environmental authorities.     

Occurrence of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments in Shenzhen, South China and its relationship to urbanization

One hundred and fourteen surface sediments were collected from the Maozhou River Watershed in Shenzhen, China from December 2009 to January 2010. Three individual chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ClPAHs), six individual brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BrPAHs), and five corresponding parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined. The concentration of 9-chlorophenanthrene was the highest ranging from 0.51-289 ng g(-1) (average, 16.5 ng g(-1)). For BrPAHs, the concentration of 2-bromofluorene was the highest ranging from 0.31-266 ng g(-1) (average, 35.3 ng g(-1)). No correlation was observed between the concentrations of ClPAHs and parent PAHs in surface sediments. In addition, there was no correlation between 1-bromopyrene, 7-bromobenz(a)anthracene and 9,10-dibromoanthracene, and corresponding parent PAHs. However, a significant correlation was found between 9-bromophenanthrene and phenanthrene (p < 0.01), between 9-bromoanthracene and anthracene (p < 0.05), and between 2-bromofluorene and fluorene (p < 0.05). Six fly ash samples collected from one of the municipal domestic waste incineration plants in Shenzhen were also analyzed for source identification. The concentration of 7-bromobenz(a)anthracene was the highest, ranging from 3.21-4.08 ng g(-1). In addition, 2-bromofluorene was not detected in all the fly ash samples. No correlation was found between the concentrations of Cl-/BrPAHs and corresponding parent PAHs in fly ashes. We also examined the relationship between the levels of Cl-/BrPAHs in surface sediments and the urbanization process. Our results suggested the levels of individual Cl-/BrPAHs congeners presented a similar increasing trend with the increasing urbanization level.     

The distribution of triclosan and methyl-triclosan in marine sediments of Barker Inlet, South Australia

In this work, we investigated the transport and burial of triclosan and its methylated derivative, in surface sediments near the mouth of Barker Inlet in South Australia. The most likely source of this commonly used bactericide to the area is a wastewater outfall discharging at the confluence of the inlet with marine waters. Triclosan was detected in all samples, at concentrations (5-27 μg kg(-1)) comparable to values found in other surface sediments under the influence of marine wastewater outfalls. Its dispersal was closely associated with fine and organic-rich fractions of the sediments. Methyl-triclosan was detected in approximately half of the samples at concentrations <11 μg kg(-1). The occurrence of this compound was linked to both wastewater discharges and biological methylation of the parent compound. Wastewater-borne methyl-triclosan had a smaller spatial footprint than triclosan and was mostly deposited in close proximity to the outfall. In situ methylation of triclosan likely occurs at deeper depositional sites, whereas the absence of methyl-triclosan from shallower sediments was potentially explained by photodegradation of the parent compound. Based on partition equilibrium, a concentration of triclosan in the order of 1 μg L(-1) was estimated in sediment porewaters, a value lower than the threshold reported for harmful effects to occur in the couple of species of marine phytoplankton investigated to date. Methyl-triclosan presents a greater potential for bioaccumulation than triclosan, but the implications of its occurrence to aquatic ecosystem health are difficult to predict given the lack of ecotoxicological data in the current literature.