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(W/EH010) Bioassay-directed chemical analysis: a tool to identify estrogenic compounds in water samples. Heisterkamp, Inga1, Neidhart, Bernd1, Ruck, Wolfgang2, 1 2 ABSTRACT- Bioassay-directed chemical analysis (BDCA) combines chemical non-target analysis and biotests with the aim to identify the analytes which mainly contribute to different toxic potentials detected by the biotests. For the BDCA, environmental samples are extracted and fractions and/or subfractions of the extracts are evaluated in order to link toxic potentials to individual chemicals or classes of compounds. In the present study we apply the BDCA approach to xenoestrogens in surface water samples and effluents of sewage treatment plants. Estrogen-like compounds are of interest as they may have adverse effects on waterborne organisms in influencing their endocrine system. As biotest in this BDCA serves a yeast screen with the human estrogen receptor [1], based on the genetically engineered yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae developed by Glaxo Wellcome and kindly provided by Prof. J.P. Sumpter (Brunel University, UK). For the part of the chemical analysis we use liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The different steps of this BDCA scheme will be presented at examples of assumed hot spots (close to discharges of waste water treatment plants or chemical facilities) within the catchment area of the river Elbe. Afterwards the study will continue to evaluate the relevance of the identified estrogen-like compounds in sections of the river not closely related to known point sources. [1] Routledge E.J., Sumpter J.P. (1996): Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 15, Nr.3, pp. 241-248. Key words: xenoestrogens, yeast screen, LC/MSMS |
