Revealing ecological risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals in marine protected areas through an integrative approach

Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in urbanized coastal cities like Hong Kong are often situated in close proximity to urbanized areas and inevitably influenced by anthropogenic activities such as discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater, and leaching of antifouling biocides from vessels. Hence, marine organisms inhabiting these MPAs are probably at risk. In this presentation, an integrative approach will be introduced and applied to comprehensively assess the ecological risks of eight priority endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in four MPAs of Hong Kong. First, environmental and biota samples are collected to reveal the current contamination levels of these EDCs in different seasons. Second, the black mussels (Septifer virgatus) and semi-permeable membrane devices are deployed to determine the extent of EDCs’ accumulation. Furthermore, extracts from the environmental samples are also subjected to the yeast estrogen screen and a novel human cell-based catechol-O-methyltransferase enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay to evaluate the integral estrogenic activities of the contaminant mixtures. The overall assessment results indicate high risks of some of the EDCs in the Cape d’Aguilar Marine Reserve of Hong Kong. This study illustrated a pragmatic integrated approach for effectively evaluating the ecological risks posed by EDCs through linking the EDC concentrations in various matrices of interest to the biological effects as reflected by the two bioassays. Finally, an innovative approach coupling field-based study and hydrodynamic modelling will be introduced as an effective means for tracking major endocrine disruptors in coastal waters.