In situ active sampling of steroid hormones in water using a novel TIMFIE device: Validation and applicability

Abstract

Monitoring trace levels of endocrine-disrupting steroid hormones in water is essential in environmental assessment, necessitating development of appropriate sampling techniques. Grab/passive sampling methods are commonly used, but use of time-integrated microflow in-situ extraction (TIMFIE) for sampling steroid hormones remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of TIMFIE samplers equipped with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced sorbent for monitoring seven different steroid hormones in different water matrices. Method validation demonstrated good reproducibility and accuracy of the TIMFIE samplers for extracting almost all target hormones in surface water and effluent wastewater, but not influent wastewater. Method quantification limit (0.4 ng L-1) of TIMFIE samplers for estrone (E1) in surface water and effluent wastewater met EU Water Framework Directive requirements. Comparison of TIMFIE samples and the parallel flow-based composite samples confirmed the consistency of E1, estradiol (E2), 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol, and dienogest measurements in effluent wastewater. With TIMFIE samplers deployed in surface water, the timeweighted average concentrations of E1 (0.5-1.5 ng L-1) and E2 (0.3-0.4 ng L-1) were found below the predicted no-effect concentrations, indicating low risk to aquatic organisms. Given the challenges in assessing trace levels of steroid hormones in waters, TIMFIE as active, time-integrated samplers is a promising, green sampling tool for efficient, resource-conscious in situ extraction of steroid hormones, allowing a sustainable monitoring of these chemicals in the environment, including conditions under frozen-surfaced water bodies.

Keywords

Persistent organic pollutants; Endocrine disrupting compounds; Time-integrated sampling; Green sampling; Surface Water

Published in

Green Analytical Chemistry
2024, Volume: 11, article number: 100143Publisher: ELSEVIER

SLU Authors

• Löffler, Paul

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Jonsson, Ove

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Niemeyer, Annika

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Dahlberg, Anna-Karin

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Golovko, Oksana

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Haalck, Inga

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ahrens, Lutz

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wiberg, Karin

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Lai, Foon Yin

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Analytical Chemistry


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.greeac.2024.100143

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132611