Fate and Transformation of a Conjugated Natural Hormone 17β-Estradiol-3-Glucuronide in Soil-Water Systems

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to investigate the sorption and degradation of a glucuronide conjugated natural hormone, 17β-estradio1-3-glucuronide (E2-3G), and its estrogenic metabolites in soil-water systems. Radiolabeled E2-3G was first synthesized in the laboratory. Soil-water batch experiments were then conducted using natural and sterilized topsoil (0-6 cm) and subsoil (18-24 cm) with the radiolabeled E2-3G to investigate the effects of soil organic matter content and microbial activity. The aqueous dissipation of 14C in the batch experiments followed a biphasic pattern with an initial rapid dissipation phase followed by a second slower phase. Significant differences in total aqueous 14C dissipation were observed for the different initial concentrations for both soils, with greater persistence of intact E2-3G at higher initial concentrations.