RESEARCH ARTICLE Uptake and elimination, and effect of estrogen-like contaminants in estuarine copepods: an experimental study Kevin Cailleaud & Hélène Budzinski & Sophie Lardy & Sylvie Augagneur & Sabria Barka & Sami Souissi & Joëlle Forget-Leray Received: 15 July 2009 / Accepted: 7 June 2010 / Published online: 4 July 2010 # Springer-Verlag 2010 Abstract Background, aim, and scope In recent years, anthropogenic chemicals which can disrupt the hormonal systems of both humans and wildlife have been raised to a major cause of concern. The aim of the present work was to determine the bioconcentration factors of the two major alkylphenols (AP) of the Seine Estuary [4-nonylphenol (4 NP) and nonylphenol acetic acid (NP1EC)] and of the synthetic estrogen, estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2), in Eurytemora affinis after exposure in a continuous flow-through system under environmental realistic conditions. Moreover, the elimination of these compounds in copepods from the Seine Estuary has been investigated by measuring concentrations after 1 week in clean water in comparison to background levels. Materials and methods In this study, the dominant copepod species of the Seine Estuary, E. affinis, was exposed at environmental relevant concentrations under laboratory- controlled conditions to selected waterborn contaminants, a mixture of 4 NP/NP1EC, and a synthetic EE2. The uptake and the elimination of these contaminants by E. affinis have been studied. Results The results show that, at the end of the uptake period, both 4 NP and NP1EC, and also EE2 were accumulated in exposed copepods with respective concen- tration factors of 324, 3,020, and 5,383. A rapid elimination of these compounds was also observed in copepods placed in clean water since 54% of total NP1EC and 100% of EE2 amounts have been lost after 3 days. Pregnenolone was synthesized after exposure to EE2 and AP mixture. Discussion These results demonstrate that E. affinis has the potency to accumulate but also to eliminate endocrine disrupters which suggests a non-negligible role of this copepod species in the biogeochemical cycles of these contaminants in estuarine ecosystems. Hence, these results also suggest that a transfer of 4 NP, NP1EC, and EE2 to copepod predators and subsequently that secondary poison- ing of these organisms might be possible. Estrogen-like contaminants can induce pregnenolone synthesis and affect the reproduction of E. affinis. Conclusions These results suggest the important role of this copepod species in biogeochemical cycles of non-ionic surfactants as well as synthetic steroids in estuarine ecosystems. Recommendations and perspectives E. affinis could be a non-negligible route of exposure for juvenile fish and underline the potential for deleterious effects on copepod predators. Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues K. Cailleaud : H. Budzinski : S. Lardy : S. Augagneur University of Bordeaux 1, CNRS, ISM-LPTC-UMR 5255, 351 cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence, France S. Souissi Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8187 LOG, 32 avenue Foch, 62930 Wimereux, France S. Barka Laboratoire de Toxicologie Marine et Environnementale, UR 09-03, IPEI, Sfax, Tunisia J. Forget-Leray (*) Faculté des Sciences et Techniques du Havre, LEMA-UPRES EA3222 (Laboratoire d’Ecotoxicologie-Milieux Aquatiques), GDR EXECO, 25 rue Philippe Lebon, 76058 Le Havre, France e-mail: joelle.leray@univ-lehavre.fr Environ Sci Pollut Res (2011) 18:226–236 DOI 10.1007/s11356-010-0355-6