Endokrin wirksame Stoffe in aquatischen Systemen

It is assumed that endocrinally active compounds can be transported into the environment via wastewater. Research results published by numerous investigators so far have shown that small amounts of natural and synthetic steroids (in the ng/L range) are found in wastewater treatment plant runoffs. However, these concentrations are seldom detected in potable water supplies or in river water. Yet, xenoestrogens have been detected at higher concentrations (in the μg/ml range) not only in wastewater treatment plant runoff, but also in surface waters receiving wastewater runoff. Even though the discussion about the potential hazard of such compounds in groundwater and potable water contaminated with runoff from wastewater treatment facilities may seem exaggerated in the light of "natural" contamination via food supplies, an extensive risk assessment has not yet been done. Further research is essential in order to evaluate the degradation behaviour of these compounds with respect to different wastewater technologies. In addition, the possibility of groundwater contamination as a result of sludge deposition should also be investigated.