Identification of organic pollutants in the dam Billings - São Paulo

Author(s)

Gleby Aparecida de Almeida

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2003-10-01

Examining board members

Rolf Roland Weber; Lucio Angnes; Maria Olimpia de Oliveira Rezende; Aristides Almeida Rocha; Marina Franco Maggi Tavares

• Advisor: Rolf Roland Weber

Abstract

Chemicals from a wide range of sources as traffic, industry, agriculture and domestic wastewater are transported over long distances and can reach the aquatic environment. There is great concern about the proliferation of synthetic organic chemicals and their toxic effects as these chemicals may be affecting the environment. Even at low levels, they interfere in the endocrine system both in humans and in animals and other living organism. The aim of this study was to carry out an analytical-environmental analysis in the Billings reservoir, near the city of São Paulo in order to assess the occurrence of organic pollutants in water and sediment. Chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pharmaceuticals were analyzed. Sediments and water were collected during July and November 1999, May 2000 and January 2001. Sediments were collected in core samples that provided vertical delineation of contamination. Validation of the analytical procedure in order to determine persistent organic pollutants such as chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic (PAHs) in water samples was carried out. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for sample preparation and detection and confirmation by GC/MS. The determination of pharmaceuticals was performed by tandem LC-MS(LC/MS-MS) after a solid phase extraction. Chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic and pharmaceuticals such Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and caffeine were detected.in sediment and water. The conclusion of the study was the occurrence of these compounds in the reservoir is due to sources like atmospheric particles, municipal and industrial waste. (AU)