Fluorescent characteristics of estrogenic compounds in landfill leachate
Journal
Environmental Technology
Journal Volume
30
Journal Issue
9
Pages
953-961
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
Estrogens in landfill leachate could probably contaminate receiving water sources if not properly polished before discharge. This work measured, using an estrogen receptor-α competitor screening assay, the estrogenic potentials of leachate samples collected at a local sanitary landfill in Shanghai, China and their compounds fractionated by molecular weights. The chemical structures of the constituent compounds were characterized using fluorescence excitation and emission matrix (EEM). The organic matters of molecular weight <600 Da and of 3000-14,000 Da contributed most of the estrogenic potentials of the raw leachates. The former were considered as the typical endocrine disrupting compounds in dissolved state; while the latter the fulvic acids with high aromaticity that were readily adsorbed with estrogens (bound state). Statistical analysis on EEM peaks revealed that the chemical structures of noted estrogens in dissolved state and in bound state were not identical. Aerobic treatment effectively removed dissolved estrogens, but rarely removed those bound estrogens. ? 2009 Taylor & Francis.
Subjects
Adsorption
Estrogenic potential
Excitation and emission matrix
Fluorescence
Leachate
Size exclusion
Type
journal article