Endocrine disruptors in the Leça River and nearby Porto Coast (NW Portugal): presence of estrogenic compounds and hypoxic conditions

The Leça River and two beaches close to the north and south margins of the estuary, nowadays an important seaport harbor, show signs of contamination. However, the chemical nature of that contamination is uncertain. Therefore, this study checked for the presence of 11 endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) of animal (17β-estradiol and estrone), pharmaceutical (17α-ethynylestradiol), and industrial (alkylphenols, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and bisphenol A) origins in water samples collected from six points at the river gradient and at two sites in the coastline (Atlantic Ocean). Along with the EDCs, evaluated by gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) during spring, summer, and autumn, physico-chemical parameters were also assessed and particular attention was given to dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Data showed the presence of high amounts of estrogens (up to 10?ng?L^?1 for estrone) and industrial compounds (up to 2?µg?L^?1 for the nonylphenol ethoxylates) at both river and seacoast. Along with this, clear signs of hypoxia were found in the river (DO??1 at several sampling sites). Taking into account these issues, it was concluded that there are local conditions for the occurrence of endocrine disruption in aquatic animals.     

Occurrence of endocrine disruptor compounds in the estuary of the Iberian Douro River and nearby Porto Coast (NW Portugal)

Previous studies in the Douro River estuary, based on occasional sampling, showed the presence of several estrogenic disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In sequence, we hypothesized that such type of pollution was more likely an enduring issue than an occasional phenomenon, and that it may even affect recreational beaches in each side of the estuarine mouth. Thus to conclude about the continuous influx of EDCs, water samples were taken twice a day, once per a week, from March to May of 2009, at four sites within the estuary and at two sites in the coastline. After solid-phase extraction, the extracts were prepared for GC-MS analysis of 11 reference EDCs. These embraced natural and pharmaceutical estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone and 17α-ethynylestradiol) and xenoestrogenic industrial pollutants (4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol, and their mono and diethoxylates and bisphenol A). Data showed the ubiquitous presence of potentially hazardous amounts of natural estrogens (particularly of estradiol, ca 5.5?ng?L^?1) and persistent organic pollutants such as nonylphenol mono (up to 550?ng?L^?1) and diethoxylate (up to 2000?ng?L^?1). It was concluded that the targeted area is continuously polluted by the assayed EDCs, and as a consequence, conditions exist for endocrine disturbance in the biota by chronic exposure to EDCs.     

Quantification of 17 endocrine disruptor compounds and their spatial and seasonal distribution in the Iberian Ave River and its coastline

The Ave River flows through the most urbanized and industrialized Porto district areas. Despite ovotestis was recently reported in male fish from the estuary, no data exist on the water levels of natural and pharmaceutical estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone, and 17α-ethynylestradiol), xenoestrogenic industrial pollutants (4-octylphenol, 4-nonylphenol and their mono and diethoxylates, and bisphenol A), phytoestrogens (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, and genistein), and sitosterol. Absence of analyses applies to the river, estuary, and nearby coastline. Those compounds mimic the action of endogenous estradiol, being well-recognized endocrine disrupters (EDCs). To conclude about suspected influxes of estrogenic EDCs into the river and coastline, water samples were taken at eight sites every two months, during one year (2010), at low tide. Data showed ubiquitous presence of potentially hazardous amounts of estrogens (particularly ethynylestradiol, up to 10 ng L^?1), nonylphenol (up to 250 ng L^?1), and sitosterol (up to 6 μg L^?1), which helps explaining the ovotestis emergence in local fish. Also, because physicochemical parameters used in water quality evaluation, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and nitrites levels, were within legal limits – suggesting good quality – our study supports that assessment of human and environmental risks by targeting surface waters requires integrating EDCs monitoring in routine analyses.     

同位素内标-高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定畜禽粪便中6种雌激素

为了研究畜禽粪便中雌激素的污染特征及其环境影响,建立了一种同时提取、分离和检测畜禽粪便中雌酮(E1)、17α-雌二醇(17α-E2)、17β-雌二醇(17β-E2)、雌三醇(E3)、17α-炔雌醇(17α-EE2)和己烯雌酚(DES)共6种雌激素的高选择性和高灵敏性方法——同位素内标-固相萃取-高效液相色谱-串联质谱法。对提取剂、淋洗剂、洗脱剂、色谱分离条件和质谱测定条件等进行了优化。最终的优化方法为:粪便样品加入100 ng同位素内标后,先后用乙腈重复超声提取3次(每次10 mL,每次15 min),离心后合并上清液,旋转蒸发近干再复溶于1 mL甲醇,加7 mL纯水稀释并超声混匀后离心,上清液过0.45μm滤膜后用HLB固相萃取柱净化,经10 mL 15%乙腈水溶液淋洗后,用10 mL的甲醇进行洗脱,氮吹浓缩定容至1 mL,过0.22μm滤膜后测定。用2 mM氟化铵-甲醇为流动相,经TAB色谱柱分离后采用电喷雾离子源和选择反应监测负离子扫描模式进行检测,同位素内标定量。在5、50、200、1000 ng·g^?1加标水平下,6种雌激素的平均回收率为90.2%—103.2%,相对标准偏差为0.09%—9.08%,方法检出限(LOD)和方法定量限(LOQ)分别为0.25—0.95 ng·g^?1和1.00—3.82 ng·g^?1。应用此方法检测了6个猪粪、3个牛粪和3个鸡粪样品中6种雌激素的含量,结果为?1(干质量)。该方法灵敏度高,定量准确且定量范围广,适用于畜禽粪便中6种雌激素的定性定量分析。     

珠江三角洲两条主要河流沉积物中的典型内分泌干扰物污染状况

为了调查珠江三角洲河流沉积物中典型内分泌干扰物的污染状况,采用超声提取-衍生化-GC/MS法研究了双酚A（BPA）、雌酮（E1）、雌二醇（E2）、己烯雌酚（DES）、17α-乙炔雌二醇（EE2）、雌三醇（E3）等典型内分泌干扰物在珠江广州河段和东江东莞河段表层沉积物中的质量分数水平、分布特征,并对其来源进行了分析。结果显示,BPA在所有样品中均有检出,E1和E2的检出率分别为72%和61%,其质量分数（以干质量计）分别在14.3～429.5 ng.g-1之间（中值为79.5 ng.g-1）、〈1.3～10.9ng.g-1之间（中值为3.4 ng.g-1）和〈0.9～2.6 ng.g-1之间（中值为1.6 ng.g-1）;其余几种雌激素均未被检出。东江东莞河段沉积物中BPA的污染水平整体高于珠江广州河段,而天然雌激素的污染状况则是珠江广州河段更为严重。3种化合物的质量分数总体呈现出沿河口方向降低的分布特征,这可能与沿岸工业废水和生活污水不规则排放以及水动力条件有关。BPA、E1、E2的质量分数均与沉积物总有机碳（TOC）质量分数呈正相关,表明有机质是控制沉积物中内分泌干扰物分布的一个重要因素。     

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the Pearl River Delta and coastal environment: sources,transfer, and implications

A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence and behavior of six endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in sewage, river water, and seawater from the Pearl River Delta (PRD). The six EDCs under study were 4-nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), estrone (E2), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). These EDCs, predominated by BPA, were found in high levels in the influents and the effluents of sewage treatment plants in the area. The relatively high concentrations (0.23–625 ng/L) of the EDCs detected in the receiving river water suggested that the untreated sewage discharge was a major contributor. The EDCs detected in eight outlets of the Pear River and the Pear River Estuary were in the ranges of 1.2–234 and 0.2–178 ng/L, respectively. The estrogen equivalents in the aquatic environments under study ranged from 0.08 to 4.5 ng/L, with E1 and EE2 being the two predominant contributors. As the fluxes of the EDCs from the PRD region to the nearby ocean are over 500 tons each year, the results of this study point to the potential that Pearl River is a significant source of the EDCs to the local environment there.     

Selective photocatalytic oxidation of steroid estrogens in presence of saccharose and ethanol as co-pollutants

The potential of the photocatalytic oxidation to selectively oxidise steroid estrogens, β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol, in the presence of saccharose and ethanol as co-pollutants was clearly demonstrated. The alkaline media conditions remained the most beneficial for the PCO regardless the presence of co-pollutants under consideration. Saccharose appeared to be the more powerful competitor than ethanol. The influence of the co-pollutants is explained by their competition for the adsorption sites and also scavenging of the OH-radicals.     

Occurrence of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals concern in sewage plant effluent

The purpose of this study was to give a worldwide overview of the concentrations of typical estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals （EDCs） in the effluent of sewage plants and then compare the concentra- tion distribution of the estrogenic EDCs in ten countries based on the survey data of the estrogenic EDCs research. The concentrations of three main categories （totally eight kinds） of estrogenic EDCs including steroidal estrogens （estrone （El）, estradiol （E2）, estriol （E3） and 17a- ethynylestradiol （EE2））, phenolic compounds （nonylphe- nol （NP） and bisphenol A （BPA）） and phthalate esters （dibutyl phthalate （DBP） and dibutyl phthalate （2- ethylhexyl） phthalate （DEHP）） in the effluents of sewage plants reported in major international journals over the past decade were collected. The statistics showed that the concentration distributions of eight kinds of EDCs were in the range of ng·L^-1 to μg·L^-1. The concentrations of steroidal estrogens mainly ranged within 50.00 ng. L-1, and the median concentrations of El, E2, E3 and EE2 were 11.00, 3.68, 4.90 and 1.00 ng·L^-1, respectively. Phenolic compounds and phthalate esters were found at pg. L-1 level （some individual values were at the high level of 40.00 μg·L^-1）. The median concentrations of BPA, NP, DBP and DEHP were 0.06, 0.55, 0.07 and 0.88 μg·L^-1, respectively. The concentrations of phenolic compounds and phthalate esters in the effluents were higher than that of steroids estrogens. The analysis of the concentration in various ten countries showed that steroids estrogens, phenolic compounds and phthalate esters in sewage plant effluents were detected with high concentration in Canada, Spain and China, respectively.     

17α-Ethinylestradiol in Lakes of Hanoi and its effect on seed germination

Abstract

The lakes of Hanoi are important water resources for urban agriculture. The concentrations of 17α-ethinylestradiol in the water of three major lakes were found to range from 0.1 to 9.1?ng/L, peaking during the rainy season. Effects at levels from 1?ng/L to 1?µg/L on the germination of mung bean (Vigna radiata) and bok choy (Brassica rapa) were studied. Soaking the seeds in solutions containing 17α-ethinylestradiol at 10?ng/L and higher increased the germination rate of mung bean but not of bok choy. For the latter, irrigation after sowing with solutions containing 17α-ethinylestradiol at 10?ng/L and higher accelerated germination.

Abbreviations: MNRE: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; PE₆₀: Population equivalent; USGS: U.S. Geological Survey; SPE: Solid phase extraction; EDTA: Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate; HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography; ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; DOM: Dissolved organic matter; EEQ: Estradiol equivalent     

对活性污泥中6种内分泌干扰物的定量测定

针对活性污泥中6种内分泌干扰物（Endocrine Disrupting Compounds,EDCs）：双酚A（BPA）,雌酮（E1）,17β-雌二醇（E2）,雌三醇（E3）,17α-乙炔雌二醇（EE2）和己烯雌酚（DES）,建立了快速溶剂萃取（Accelerated Solvent Extractor,ASE）,固相萃取（SPE）净化,GC-MS检测的测试方法.对比分析了不同衍生化试剂、衍生化条件对分析结果的影响,同时优化了净化步骤.通过所建立的方法对6种EDCs在污泥中的浓度进行分析,检测回收率为77.2%—118.3%,相对标准偏差小于9%.应用该方法测定了重庆某2个污水处理厂剩余污泥中的EDCs浓度.     

Pathway of 17��-estradiol degradation by Nitrosomonas europaea and reduction in 17��-estradiol-derived estrogenic activity

In recent years, natural and synthetic estrogens have been recognized as endocrine disruptors in aquatic organisms. Although natural and synthetic estrogens are known to be degraded by microbes, only limited information about their degradation pathways is available. Here, we studied the degradation pathways of a natural estrogen, 17β-estradiol, by the nitrifying microorganism Nitrosomonas europaea, and we determined whether the degradation products of 17β-estradiol had estrogenic activity. To identify the degradation products, we subjected the culture solution to solid-phase extraction, and the extract was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The potential estrogenic activity of the degradation products was investigated by means of a yeast two-hybrid assay. 1,3,5(10),16-Estratetraen-3-ol (estratetraenol) was newly identified as a degradation intermediate produced by dehydration of 17β-estradiol. Estratetraenol was also degraded by N. europaea, and its degradation rate was faster than that of 17β-estradiol. The two-hybrid assay confirmed that estratetraenol acted as a ligand for the estrogen receptor; estratetraenol thus has potential estrogenic activity. N. europaea eliminated the estrogenic activity derived from 17β-estradiol. This paper is the first to report dehydration as a mechanism of microbial estrogen degradation.     

基于ELISA的受体竞争结合法检测环境雌激素(Competitive Estrogen Receptor Binding Based ELISA for Detection of Estrogen in Environment)

为建立环境雌激素的体外快速筛选方法,采用免疫测定介导受体竞争结合试验定量检测环境雌激素.将17β-雌二醇-BSA固定在微孔板上,环境雌激素与微孔板上的17β-雌二醇-BSA竞争性地与雌激素受体结合,与微孔板上17β-雌二醇-BSA结合的受体与雌激素受体的抗体、雌激素受体抗体的二抗形成一个三明治形式的复合物,通过显色剂显色,最后用比色法对试验结果进行定量.结果表明,环境雌激素的浓度与溶液吸光度值成负相关.定量研究可以得到环境雌激素剂量-效应关系曲线,在一定浓度范围内(10ng·L-1～100μg·L-1),溶液的吸光度值与环境雌激素的浓度直接呈现良好的线性关系(R2=0.9583).利用这种方法能检测到的标准品雌二醇的最低浓度为10ng·L-1.以上结果表明,本方法检测环境雌激素操作简便,具有广泛的应用前景.     

高碑店湖表层水中雌激素的分布及其光降解影响因素

雌激素等内分泌干扰物在水体中普遍存在,其在再生水中的存在以及在水体中的迁移转化会产生潜在的健康和生态风险。光降解是水体中雌激素消除的主要途径之一,水体中共存的无机离子及有机质等对雌激素的光解存在不同的影响。对高碑店湖再生水体中雌激素的污染状况进行了调查,结果显示表层水中天然雌激素雌酮(E1)和人工合成雌激素17α-乙炔基雌二醇(EE2)的浓度最高。在模拟太阳光照射条件下对E1在水溶液中的降解规律及影响因素进行了研究,发现在模拟1 SUN的光密度条件下,15 min时E1降解率可达85%(C0=5μg·L-1),而氨氮对E1的光降解存在一定的抑制作用,并且抑制作用随着氨氮的升高而变大。与纯水系统相比,高碑店湖表层水基质中E1的光降解速率较低,说明整体上氨氮、HCO-3、浊度等因素对E1光降解产生的抑制作用占主导。对雌酮及其降解产物进行了红外光谱分析,结果显示1 720 cm-1对应的C=O键特征峰在光照时间为0、10和20 min样品中的强度逐渐减弱,而2 854 cm-1和2 925 cm-1对应的脂肪碳的C-H键特征峰先增强后减弱,可能是因为E1结构中的C-C=O发生了反应生成了C=C-OH,而随着反应的继续,C=C也被进一步氧化,但降解产物的结构需要进一步研究推断。随着E1的光降解,E1水溶液的内分泌干扰活性逐渐下降,氨氮虽然对E1的光降解有一定的抑制作用,但随着降解反应的进行E1水溶液的内分泌干扰活性依然呈下降趋势。     

Determination of glyoxal and methylglyoxal in atmospheric particulate matter by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatisation

A simple and rapid method has been optimised to determine glyoxal and methylglyoxal in atmospheric particulate matter by extraction and derivatisation with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine solutions. Minimal sample preparation was required by mixing a portion of filter charged with atmospheric particulate matter with 5?mL of a saturated solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (1.6?g?L^?1) in acetonitrile and acidified by H₂SO₄ (50?µL?L^?1). Chromatographic analyses were carried out 1?h after derivatisation solution was mixed. Finally, the proposed method was applied to quantify these dicarbonyls in atmospheric particulate matter samples, which were obtained as part of a large field study to characterise atmospheric aerosol from a rural area of Madrid. Glyoxal concentrations averaged 0.24?ng?m^?3, whereas mean values of methyl glyoxal were around 0.95?ng?m^?3. Methyl glyoxal levels showed a clear relationship with the particulate matter levels, whereas glyoxal data did not show such a correlation. This could indicate that both dicarbonyls come from different sources.     

Distribution of mercury in the sediments of some freshwater bodies in Ethiopia

Sediment samples were collected from Tinishu Akaki River (TAR), Lake Awassa, and Lake Ziway, Ethiopia for determination of mercury. The air-dried samples were analyzed for mercury with a differential atomic absorption spectrometer after thermal evaporation of bound mercury converting it to its atomic form. Certified reference materials (CRMs) of sediments and soils were used to validate the method. The recovery of mercury from CRMs and sediments was in the range of 95–100%. The limit of detection for the determination of mercury was 50?ng?kg^?1. The concentration of total mercury in the sediments varied from 3.9 to 110?µg?kg^?1 for TAR, 14 to 67?µg?kg^?1 for Lake Awassa, and 17 to 110?µg?kg^?1 for Lake Ziway. It was found that the total mercury concentrations in all samples were below the United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline of 200?µg?kg^?1.     

Effects of bisphenol A,two synthetic and a natural estrogens on head regeneration of the freshwater planarians,Dugesia japonica

Regeneration is a vital physiological process for survival of adult organisms. Bisphenol A (BPA), diethystilbestrol (DES), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and 17β-estradiol (E2) were examined for their effects on head formation in decapitated freshwater planarians (Dugesia japonica). The median lethal concentration of the test chemicals and the median inhibitory concentration for decapitated planarians and different regenerative endpoints, were determined for 3–7 d of exposure. For planarian head regeneration, the no-observed-effect level of BPA and DES was 0.05 mg L^?1 and 1 mg L^?1 for EE2 and E2. The effects of BPA, DES, and EE2 on asexual planarian regeneration did not correspond with the order of their estrogenic potencies, suggesting that the effects, at least partially, were due to general toxicity rather than their estrogenicity. In view of the published data on concentrations of xenoestrogens in water bodies versus the nominal levels tested here, this study suggests that the current environmental levels of BPA, DES, EE2, and E2 have no immediate adverse effects on freshwater planarian regeneration.     

Input and fate of anthropogenic estrogens and gadolinium in surface water and␣sewage plants in the hydrological basin of Prague (Czech Republic)

The concentration of the estrogens 17β-estradiol, estriol, estrone, 17α-ethinylestradiol, mestranol and norethisterone and of the anthropogenic gadolinium (Gd_ant) has been determined in the creeks and rivers, sewage treatment plants and water works of the city of Prague. The rapid degradation of estrogens in surface water allows the estrogen concentration gradient to be used as a very precise and sensitive guideline by which to pin-point sewage leaks into surface run-off water. The rather conservative behavior of Gd_ant in surface and ground water documents in the present case the presence of sewage water in the surface water cycle.     

Bioreduction of hexavalent chromium by Exiguobacterium indicum strain MW1 isolated from marine water of Paradip Port,Odisha, India

Hexavalent chromium-tolerant (1500?mg/L) bacterium MW1 was isolated from harbour water of Paradip Port and evaluated for Cr(VI) reduction potential. The isolate was identified as Exiguobacterium indicum by biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence methods. Salt tolerance of the bacterium was evaluated in a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0.5–13%, w/v). The Cr(VI) reduction of the strain was evaluated and optimised with varied Cr(VI) concentrations (100–1000?mg/L), pH (5.0–9.0), temperature (30–40°C) and shaking velocity (100–150?rpm) in two different minimal media (M9 and Acetate). Under optimised conditions, after 192?h of incubation nearly 92%, 50% and 46% reduction in the M9 minimal medium and 91%, 47% and 40% reduction in the acetate minimal medium were observed for 100, 500 and 1000?mg/L of Cr(VI), respectively. The exponential rate equation for Cr(VI) reduction yielded higher rate constant value, that is, 1.27?×?10^?2?h^?1 (M9) and 1.17?×?10^?2?h^?1 (Acetate) in case of 100?mg/L and became lower for 500 and 1000?mg/L Cr(VI) concentrations. Further, the association of bacterial cells with reduced product was ascertained by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, UV–Vis–DRS and field-emission scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The above study suggests that the higher reducing ability of the marine bacterium E. indicum MW1 will be suitable for Cr(VI) reduction from saline effluents.     

Phytoextraction of lead and its relationship with histidine in six plant species using ICP-MS and HPLC-MS

High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) methods were used for determination of histidine and lead in leaves of six plant species taken from industrial areas, including Gaziantep and Bursa cities, Turkey. For extraction of histidine from plant samples, ultrapure water was used at 90°C for 30?min. Using optimum conditions of 0.2?mL?min^?1, 70?V, 15?µL and 20°C, concentrations of histidine (in mg?kg^?1) were found to be between 2 and 9 for Morus L., 6 and 13 for Robinia pseudoacacio L., 2 and 10 for Populous nigra L., 3 and 10 for Thuja, 1 and 11 for Cupressus arizonica and 4 for Cedrus libani. Concentrations of lead were in the ranges of 4–378?mg?kg^?1 for Morus L., 1–122?mg?kg^?1 for R. pseudoacacio L., 1–14?mg?kg^?1 for P. nigra L., 1.6–224?mg?kg^?1 for Thuja (Cupressaceae), 1.5–57?mg?kg^?1 for C. arizonica and 1.8?mg?kg^?1 for C. libani. Related with correlation coefficient, significant linear correlation for Thuja (Cupressaceae) (r?=?0.81) and insignificant linear correlation for P. nigra L. (r?=?0.50) were seen. Further, the leaves of Morus L., Thuja and R. pseudoacacio L. have a potential as biomonitor and/or hyperaccumulator for Pb because the rates of their maximum/minimum concentrations were found higher than 90.     

Morpho-histological and enzymatic alterations in earthworms Drawida willsi and Lampito mauritii exposed to urea,phosphogypsum and paper mill sludge

The effects of varying concentrations of urea, phosphogypsum and paper mill sludge (PMS) on the morphology, histology, tissue protein content, lipid peroxidation (LPX), activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and catalase in earthworms Drawida willsi and Lampito mauritii have been studied over an exposure period of 24?hr. Integumentary lesions, clitellar swelling and loss of pigmentations were found to be major morpho-pathological changes in the worms. Histology indicated cuticular damage, ruptured epithelium and muscle fibres with accumulation of cellular debris. Lowest tissue protein content (57.02?±?4.02?mg/g tissue) and highest LPX (0.113?±?0.04, 0.137?±?0.08?nmol/mg protein) were noticed in D. willsi at a high concentration of PMS, whereas highest tissue protein content was observed in L. mauritii (115.32?±?7.18?mg/g tissue) with the same treatment. In both the species, LDH activity was minimum at a high concentration of urea (0.172?±?0.02; 0.247?±?0.08?U/mg protein). AChE activity was highest (0.099?±?0.002?U/mg protein) at a high concentration of PMS in D. willsi, whereas catalase activity was the maximum (0.338?±?0.02?U/mg protein) at high concentrations of PMS in L. mauritii. The study indicated that morpho-histological and enzymatic alterations in these earthworms exposed to agrochemicals could be useful biomarkers to evaluate soil toxicity.