In situ active sampling of steroid hormones in water using a novel TIMFIE device: Validation and applicability

• First validation of TIMFIE samplers for steroid hormones in water. • TIMFIE performance met related EU compliance for E1 and E2 water monitoring. • Similar results between TIMFIE and flow-based samples in an effluent water stream. • Surface water concentrations of E1 and E2 below their predicted no-effect levels. Monitoring trace levels of endocrine-disrupting steroid hormones in water is essential in environmental assessment, necessitating development of appropriate sampling techniques. Grab/passive sampling methods are commonly used, but use of time-integrated microflow in-situ extraction (TIMFIE) for sampling steroid hormones remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of TIMFIE samplers equipped with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced sorbent for monitoring seven different steroid hormones in different water matrices. Method validation demonstrated good reproducibility and accuracy of the TIMFIE samplers for extracting almost all target hormones in surface water and effluent wastewater, but not influent wastewater. Method quantification limit (0.4 ng L −1 ) of TIMFIE samplers for estrone (E1) in surface water and effluent wastewater met EU Water Framework Directive requirements. Comparison of TIMFIE samples and the parallel flow-based composite samples confirmed the consistency of E1, estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol, and dienogest measurements in effluent wastewater. With TIMFIE samplers deployed in surface water, the time-weighted average concentrations of E1 (0.5–1.5 ng L −1 ) and E2 (0.3–0.4 ng L −1 ) were found below the predicted no-effect concentrations, indicating low risk to aquatic organisms. Given the challenges in assessing trace levels of steroid hormones in waters, TIMFIE as active, time-integrated samplers is a promising, green sampling tool for efficient, resource-conscious in situ extraction of steroid hormones, allowing a sustainable monitoring of these chemicals in the environment, including conditions under frozen-surfaced water bodies.