Recovery of Fish Community Suffered from Feminization by Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in Surabaya River, East Java

Abstract

There had been reports of a significant increase in female fish populations in the Surabaya River, induced by water pollution. This research aims to study the current sex condition and the level of Endocrine Disrupter Chemicals (EDC) in the river fishes after the river cleaning program promoted by the municipality. 420 fish samples from various species were taken from the river during 2017-2018. The fishes were sexed and analyzed their contents of estradiol, phthalate, and chlorpyrifos. The average sex ratio found was nearly normal (Male: Female=52:48), recovered significantly from the previous record in 2013 (16:84). Meanwhile the concentrations of EDC estradiol, phthalate, and chlorpyrifos found were 0.000; 0.033; and 0.037 mg/kg subsequently; except for chlorpyrifos, most of the chemicals were below the residue maximum limit by Indonesia National Standard (SNI).