Comparative Analysis of Hormonal Content in Drinking and Surface Waters of the Caucasus Region

The introduction of biologically active compounds, particularly hormonal substances of natural and synthetic origin, into aquatic ecosystems poses a global environmental safety problem for the population. Steroid hormones — 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone – have high estrogenic activity and are considered key endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study was a comparative assessment of the content of 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone in drinking water of some settlements in the Prokhladnensky district of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), as well as in the surface waters of the Malka River. The methodology involved collecting drinking water samples from centralized water supply systems in populated areas of the Prokhladnensky District. Solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography — tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the water samples. 17β-estradiol (E2) was detected in surface waters of the Malka River in the Prokhladnensky District, with concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 3.2 ng/L. The highest concentrations were recorded in surface water samples near agricultural areas. Estriol (E3) was similarly detected in surface water samples at concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 ng/L. Progesterone levels ranged from 2.5 to 3.4 ng/L. Comparative analysis revealed that progesterone was the dominant hormonal pollutant in the surface waters studied. This study provides the first systematic assessment of the presence of 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone in drinking and surface waters of the KabardinoBalkarian Republic. Despite the lack of a direct toxicological risk to public health at the current level, the detected prevalence of 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and progesterone indicates anthropogenic impacts on the region's water resources (agriculture, municipal wastewater, etc.). Therefore, based on the conducted analysis, it is necessary to include hormonal substances in the regional programs for monitoring the quality of water bodies, as well as to improve the efficiency of treatment facilities for municipal and other wastewater. 

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