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Estrogens are chemical compounds considered to be endocrine disruptors. They are thought to affect the endocrine system even at low concentrations found in water (ng.l(-1)). The aim of this work was to determine estrogenic compound levels in the rivers in the Brno area. The concentration of 17 beta-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, estrone and diethylstilbestrol was estimated in the water samples collected in the Svratka and Svitava rivers.

Estrogens were isolated from the samples using solid-phase extraction with Oasis HLB cartridges and determined by means of reversed phase HPLC with UV detection. The detection limit of the method used was 6 ng.l(-1), repeatability expressed as RSD was 11%, and recovery was 87-103%. Estrogen values detected ranged in the interval of 6-209 ng.l(-1), depending on the sampling site. After treatment in the sewage water treatment plant, the water displayed markedly lower levels of estrogenic compounds.

The results of the experiment demonstrate that HPLC-UV is a suitable method for determination of low concentrations of estrogens in water. The sewage water treatment plant reduces concentrations of estrogens but not sufficiently to prevent their estrogenic effect on fish.