Occurrence and ecological risks of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in three National Aquatic Germplasm Resources Reserves in the South China Sea

National Aquatic Germplasm Resources Reserves (NAGRRs) are pivotal protected areas in delivering ecological and socio-economic advantages. This study focuses on three NAGRRs in the South China Sea, meticulously examining the pollution levels of 31 common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within these protected areas and their surrounding coastal areas. The highest cumulative concentrations in the dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter (SPM) phase, and surface sediment were recorded at 280.59 ng/L in the dry season, 192.89 ng/L in the wet season, and 411.89 ng/g dry weight in the dry season, respectively. The log K_D−SED (2.17−5.49 in the wet season and 2.51−5.50 in the dry season) were relatively lower than log K_D−SPM (3.21−6.09 during the wet season and 3.79−5.75 during the dry season), suggesting a higher likelihood of EDC distribution to the SPM than surface sediment. The sum of five estradiol equivalent concentrations in the waters of the coastal and protected areas significantly surpassed the threshold for endocrine-disrupting activity, suggesting that the targeted estrogens in these regions may potentially disrupt the endocrine systems of aquatic organisms. Norgestrel, 17α-ethinylestradiol, 4-tert-octylphenol, bisphenol A, bisphenol B, and bisphenol F were pinpointed as pollutants necessitating urgent concern due to their ecological risks and detection frequencies. These research findings provided valuable insights into the effective management and remediation of emerging pollutants within NAGRRs, thereby contributing to strengthening their protection and biodiversity conservation. © 2024 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.