Role of Conjugates in the Fate and Transport of Steroid Hormones.

Estrogenic hormones are hydrophobic and readily partition to the soil. Also, estrogenic hormones degrade readily in soil. Laboratory studies indicate estrogenic hormones dissipate within a few hours; however, field studies frequently detect these hormones. Estrogen conjugates were investigated as means of contributing to the persistence and mobility of estrogens in the environment. Soil batch studies were conducted with glucuronide and sulfate conugates of estrogens. Both conjugates contributed free, potent estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) compounds and resulted in the persistence of estrogens in the laboratory up to 14 d. Additionally, compared to E2 and E1, the sorption of the conjugated estrogens was much less, which would lead to greater mobility in the environment. The results from these studies suggest estrogen conjugates have been overlooked as a means of contributing to the detection of estrogens in the environment.