Xenobiotics in the aquatic environment of the area of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece
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Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Chemistry Department, Greece
Introduction. In the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC environmental objectives for the proper quality of inland, surface, transitional, coastal and ground waters have been set. Member states are required to identify chemical pollutants of significance in the water bodies, to establish emission control measures and to achieve quality standards. A specific category of pollutants are the compounds that may possess endocrine related functions known as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). This means that member states have the obligation to take action in order to prevent human exposure to these compounds via aquatic environment. The objective of this research was to study the occurrence and distribution of phenolic and steroid EDCs in coastal area of Thermaikos Gulf, Thessaloniki, Northern Greece.
Methods. Samples were collected from representatives sites of Thermaikos Gulf, from rivers, streams, municipal and industrial wastewaters discharged into the gulf. The target EDCs were recovered by solid phase extraction and ultrasonic extraction from the dissolved phase and particulate phase, respectively and determined by employing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Results. Results revealed the presence of phenolic EDCs in all water and wastewater samples. Seawater exhibited relatively low concentrations of EDCs. Rivers exhibited higher concentrations of EDCs; similar to minimally impacted surface waters worldwide. The concentrations of nonylphenol and octylphenol occasionally exceeded the environmental criteria proposed for inland waters. High concentrations of EDCs were determined in streams, urban and industrial wastewater. The occurrence of EDCs in inland waters and wastewaters discharged to Thermaikos Gulf results in an increased risk to the marine environment.
Conclusion. These systems should be regularly monitored, especially for NP, OP and BPA that are considered as priority hazardous compounds in the Water Framework Directive.
References
1. A. Arditsoglou, D. Voutsa. Determination of Phenolic and Steroid Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Environmental Matrices. ESPR 15(3), 228-236 (2008)
2. A. Arditsoglou, D. Voutsa Passive sampling of selected endocrine disrupting compounds using polar organic chemical integrative samplers.Environ. Pollut. 156, 316-324 (2008)
3. P. Pothitou, D. Voutsa Endocrine disrupting compounds in municipal and industrial wastewaters treatment plants in Northern Greece.Chemosphere 73, 1716-1723 (2008)
4. A. Arditsoglou, D. Voutsa. Partitioning of EDCs in inland waters and wastewaters in the coastal area of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece.ESPR (2009)
5. D. Voutsa.Endocrine disrupting compounds in the coastal environment. Coastal portal (http://www.encora.eu).Coastal wiki, Theme 4. Pollution, prevention and mitigation in the coastal area.
6. A. Arditsoglou, D. Voutsa Endocrine disrupting compounds in coastal and surface waters in the area of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. 1st European Chemistry Congress, 27-31 August 2006, Budapest, Hungary, Proceedings p. 179.
Keywords:
Xenobiotics,
endocrine disrupting compounds,
Thermaikos Gulf
Conference:
8th Southeast European Congress on Xenobiotic Metabolism and Toxicity - XEMET 2010, Thessaloniki, Greece, 1 Oct - 5 Oct, 2010.
Presentation Type:
Oral
Topic:
Food, drugs and environmental xenobiotics
Citation:
Voutsa
D
(2010). Xenobiotics in the aquatic environment of the area of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece.
Front. Pharmacol.
Conference Abstract:
8th Southeast European Congress on Xenobiotic Metabolism and Toxicity - XEMET 2010.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fphar.2010.60.00214
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Received:
05 Mar 2011;
Published Online:
04 Nov 2010.
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Correspondence:
Dr. Dimitra Voutsa, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Chemistry Department, Thessaloniki, Greece, dvoutsa@chem.auth.gr