Identifying chemicals and mixtures of potential biological concern detected in passive samplers from Great Lakes tributaries using high-throughput data and biological pathways

Water-borne contaminants were monitored in 69 tributaries of the Laurentian Great Lakes in 2010 and 2014 using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs), and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS). Analyses included 185 chemicals (143 detected) including PAHs, legacy and current-use pesticides, fire retardants, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and others. Hazard quotients were calculated by dividing detected concentrations by biological effect concentrations reported in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase (Toxicity quotients, TQs) or ToxCast database (Exposure Activity Ratios, EARs).