Dissolved organic carbon as an indicator of the presence of zearalenone in the aquatic environment

Abstract

Zearalenone is a non-steroidal, strongly oestrogenic substance, which can occur in food and feed. It causes functional changes in the reproductive system similar to those of oestrogens. Due to the occurrence of this toxin in agricultural areas it has been assumed that it may penetrate to surface and ground waters and thus poses a health hazard both for humans and animals. We examined the occurrence of zearalenone in Polish surface and ground waters as well as in sewage during 2010 and investigated the relation between organic carbon found in samples and toxin concentration. The highest zearalenone concentration was found in samples collected from the river Bogdanka: 65.2 ng/l, in August. In addition, in all cases investigated the dissolved organic carbon concentration was found to decrease with an increase in zearalenone concentration.