Surveillance of plasticizers, bisphenol A, steroids and caffeine in surface water of River Ganga and Sundarban wetland along the Bay of Bengal: occurrence, sources, estrogenicity screening and ecotoxicological risk assessment

The transboundary River Ganga serves as a conduit for meltwater from the Himalayas and is major freshwater source two thirds of Indian population before emptying into Sundarban Delta, largest estuary in Bay Bengal. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such phthalic acid esters (PAEs) bisphenol A (BPA) used organic plastic additives can pollute aquatic environment receiving litter. Hence, we have investigated these EDCs water samples wetland India. Since exhibit estrogenic potential, further measured steroids evaluated activity (estradiol equivalents, BioE2Eqs) using an in-vitro bioassay (E-Screen). Further BioE2Eqs were compared with sum predicted estradiol equivalents based on chemical concentrations PAEs BPA by E-Screen (ChemE2Eq) YES factors (ChemYES). Caffeine was marker anthropogenic wastewater discharge. Results showed that highest BioE2Eq (below lowest observable effect E2 fish) associated sites having sewer outfalls middle stretch river, concomitantly coinciding elevated caffeine. Neither ChemE2Eq nor ChemYES correlated BioE2Eqs. (0.04–4.46 µg/L) ∑7plasticizers (0.43–7.63 higher than (0.21–2.82 (0.85–2 wetland. only detected androgens, found at four (0.007 µg/L± 0.003, mean ± S.D.). estimated ecotoxicological risk to insect fish stemmed BPA. secondary effect, potential impact human health could be reflected via consumption productive fisheries region along lower Ganga. Identification areas estrogenicity, plasticizer steroid design implement interventions remediation emerging contaminants.