17β-estradiol and Organochlorine pesticide levels in the East and West sites of Laguna de bay

Issue Date

1-2011

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine contamination of Laguna de Bay with the hormone 17β-estradiol (E2) and organochlorine pesticides. Water samples were collected from the east and west bay of the lake particularly in sites adjacent to land-uses associated with the discharge of these compounds either through diffuse or point sources. While organochlorines were not detected at the limit of 0.05 ppb, E2 concentrations ranged from 0.29 ± 0.07 μg l-1 to 0.40 ± 0.16 μg l-1 in both sites. No inter-site difference (west vs. east) in E2 concentration was noted. The obtained E2 levels exceeded the reported threshold in literature for the induction of the yolk precursor vitellogenin and ovotestis formation in male fish. Whether or not the measured E2 concentrations could elicit biologic effects that can compromise reproduction and population dynamics in fish and in higher vertebrates should be a subject of future research endeavors. However, given the current weight of evidence on the adverse effects of estrogenic disruption, the implementation of measures that would prevent the discharge of these compounds in the watershed is recommended.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Environmental Science and Management

ISSN

0119-1144

Page

36-42

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

tables

Language

English

Subject

17beta-estradiol, Estrogenic disruptors, Laguna de bay, Organochlorine pesticides

Digital Copy

yes

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