Assessment of Different Substrates for Removal of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Wastewater and the Potential Effects on Food Chain Pathways

Treating endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC’s) in domestic wastewater has become a major concern for the safety of human health and the environment. Human derived EDC’s, such as 17βestradiol are present in domestic wastewater effluent at levels high enough to jeopardize normal endocrine functions of aquatic organisms leading to decreased fecundity and feminization. In wastewater treatment facilities, biologically active sludge along with extending both hydraulic and sludge retention times appear to be critical processes important for degradation of 17βestradiol. By extending retention times, 17β-estradiol is able to stay in the system long enough to allow the biological process to prolong contact and maximize effectiveness. An additional biologically active transport approach that might show promise is the use of algae as a facilitator further reducing 17β-estradiol in tertiary wastewater. Historically, algal cultures have been used to polish contaminated water for discharge. Processes include further reducing nitrogen levels, removal of toxic heavy metals and concentrating and potentially transforming organic compounds to nonlethal concentrations. This study investigates using algae for the recovery and recycling of 17β-estradiol, via adsorption, from wastewater and possible transfer of toxicity to higher organisms in the food chain. Specifically, algal cells will be exposed to 17β-estradiol in solution to examine potential adsorption capabilities and also examine potential concentration effects of 17β-estradiol on algal cells. Additionally, contaminated algae will be fed to daphnia to investigate possible transfer of 17β-estradiol and its toxicological effects up the food chain. Survival and reproduction of daphnia will be considered to explain