Use of nuclear receptor luciferase-based bioassays to detect endocrine active chemicals in a biosolids-biochar amended soil. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson, Carolyn G.; Joshi, Geetika; Bair, Daniel A.; Oriol, Charlotte; He, Guochun; Parikh, Sanjai J.; Denison, Michael S.; Scow, Kate M.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 181(2017)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Biosolids -- Biochar -- Land application -- Endocrine disruption -- CALUX bioassay; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Biosolids are a potentially valuable source of carbon and nutrients for agricultural soils; however, potential unintended impacts on human health and the environment must be considered. Virtually all biosolids contain trace amounts endocrine-disrupting chemicals derived from human use of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). One potential way to reduce the bioavailability of PPCPs is to co-apply biosolids with biochar to soil, because biochar's chemical (e.g., aromaticity) and physical properties (e.g., surface area) give it a high affinity to bind many organic chemicals in the environment. We developed a soil-specific extraction method and utilized a luciferase-based bioassay (CALUX) to detect endocrine active chemicals in a biosolids-biochar co-amendment soil greenhouse study. Both biochar (walnut shell, 900 °C) and biosolids had positive impacts on carrot and lettuce biomass accumulation over our study period. However, the walnut shell biochar stimulated aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity, suggesting the presence of potential endocrine active chemicals in the biochar. Since the biochar rate tested (100 t ha −1 ) is above the average agronomic rate (10–20 t ha −1 ), endocrine effects would not be expected in most environmental applications. The effect of high temperature biochars on endocrine system pathways must be explored further, using both quantitative analytical tools to identify potential endocrine active chemicals and highly sensitive bioanalytical assays such as CALUX to measure the resulting biological activity of such compounds. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Biosolids and biochar can have positive effects on plant growth. Some high temperature biochars may contain endocrine active chemicals. A soil-specific extraction and luciferase-based bioassay (CALUX) can be used to detect endocrine active chemicals in soil.