Occurrence and Environmental Risk Assessment of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Brazilian Surface Waters

Author(s)

Oliveira, Thiessa M. A. ; Mansano, Adrislaine S. ; Holanda, Carlos A. ; Pinto, Tiago S. ; Reis, Jonas B. ; Azevedo, Eduardo B. ; Verbinnen, Raphael T. ; Viana, Jose Lucas ; Franco, Teresa C. R. S. ; Vieira, Eny M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; v. 43, n. 10, p. 12-pg., 2024-07-29.

Abstract

We investigated the occurrence and the environmental risk of eight contaminants of emerging concern (CECs; acetaminophen, naproxen, diclofenac, methylparaben, 17 beta-estradiol, sulfathiazole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfamethazine) in three Brazilian water bodies, namely, the Monjolinho River Basin (S & atilde;o Paulo State), the Mogi Gua & ccedil;u River (S & atilde;o Paulo State), and the Itapecuru River (Maranh & atilde;o State) in three sampling campaigns. The CECs were only quantified in surface water samples collected at the Monjolinho River Basin. Acetaminophen, naproxen, and methylparaben were detected in the range of <200 to 575.9 ng L-1, <200 to 224.7 ng L-1, and <200 to 303.6 ng L-1, respectively. The detection frequencies of the three measured compounds were between 33% and 67%. The highest concentrations of CECs were associated with intense urbanization and untreated sewage discharge. Furthermore, CEC concentrations were significantly correlated with total organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen levels, suggesting that domestic pollution from urban areas is an important source in the distribution of CECs in the Monjolinho River Basin. The environmental risk assessment indicated a high risk for acetaminophen (risk quotient [RQ] values between 2.1 and 5.8), a medium risk for naproxen (RQs between 0.6 and 0.7), and a low risk for methylparaben (RQs < 0.1) to the freshwater biota of the Monjolinho River Basin. Our findings show potential threats of CECs in Brazilian water bodies, especially in vulnerable areas, and reinforce the need for improvements in environmental regulations to include monitoring and control of these compounds in aquatic systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-12. (c) 2024 SETAC (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/02739-6 - Water reuse in irrigation and aquaculture: inactivation of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors by solar photo-fenton
• Grantee: Eduardo Bessa Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/03770-9 - Development of gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) modified with micro and nanostructured metallic oxides for in situ electrogeneration of H2O2 for environmental applications
• Grantee: Jonas Batista Reis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/18124-4 - Fluxes, speciation and bioavailability of arsenic at the water/sediment interface in alkaline lakes of the Pantanal of Nhecolândia using DGT
• Grantee: José Lucas Martins Viana
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 23/15970-7 - Rare earth elements (REEs) as emerging contaminants in Brazil: Occurrence and distribution of total, dissolved, labile and nanoparticulate Ce in the environment
• Grantee: José Lucas Martins Viana
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral