Determinação de elementos tecnologicamente críticos no Rio Paraíba do Sul, trecho de São José dos Campos, utilizando a espectrometria de massas com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS) e a técnica de gradiente de difusão em filmes finos (DGT)

• Grant number: 21/00231-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2021
• End date: May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Amauri Antonio Menegário
• Grantee: Raquel de Carvalho Gradwohl
• Host Institution: Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Technology Critical Elements (TCE) are been used in large scale by emerging technologies to increase the products' functionality as in the department of the electronics industry, which massively produces cell phones, televisions and computers. These chemical elements present in the devices are discharged in aquatic environments due to the release of residual effluents from industrial processes. Thus, they represent risks both for human health and for the environment. Despite this, there are still gaps in the understanding of technologically critical elements, from environmental levels to their toxicological effects. In addition, due to the lack of application of risk assessment processes, these elements are not included in the risk assessment of environmental agencies. And thanks to the proximity of industries, the Paraíba do Sul River, which crosses the city of São José dos Campos, known as an industrial pole in the interior of São Paulo, represents a potential receiver of TCE's from industrial effluents. Thus, this research aims to determine and evaluate the lability and potential bioavailability of TCE in the water of the Paraíba do Sul River, in the São José dos Campos (SP) section. Initially, an analytical method will be implemented for multi-element determinations of TCE using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP-QMS). The main resources for overcoming spectral interferences in the determination of TCE will be the use of aerosol desolvation using the APEX and Spiro systems. The collections will take place in two periods, of flood and drought. Surface water samples will be collected at eight different points and, simultaneously, immersions of DGT devices will be performed in situ for at least 24 hours. Commercial DGT devices will be used and developed at CEA/UNESP. Thus, it is also expected to assess the lability of the TCE and, consequently, to infer some conclusions about their bioavailability.