Pollution characteristics, sources and ecological risks of steroid hormones in Fangchenggang Bay, South China Sea: Significant impacts of rivers and domestic sewage entering the sea

Abstract

The characteristics, sources and ecological risk of steroid hormone pollution were investigated at 14 stations in Fangchenggang Bay. The results revealed that the detection rate of the steroid hormones in both seawater and sediment was 100%. Twenty-four types of steroid hormones were detected in seawater, and the concentrations ranged from 0.05 (P) to 7.40 ng/L (HCT). Seventeen types of steroid hormones were detected in marine sediments, and the concentrations ranged from 0.02 (SZL) to 0.82 ng/g (E3). The monthly contributions of rivers flowing into the sea and domestic sewage treatment plants were 2178.2 kg and 46.03 kg, respectively. Based on the ecological risk assessment results, MT and EE2 in seawater were considered to be at high risk level, and E2α was at medium risk, whereas the others were considered to be low or no risk levels; in marine sediments, MT, E2αand EE2 were at a high risk level; AED, E1, E2 α, and E3 were at a medium risk level; and the others were at low or no risk levels. The steroid hormones in the monitoring area were mainly affected by land-based pollution. This issue warrants immediate attention from the relevant management departments, and effective preventive measures need to be performed.