Inputs of Domestic and Industrial Sewage in Upper Iguassu, Brazil Identified by Emerging Compounds

Abstract

The presence of emerging compounds was investigated in surface water samples from Iguassu River watershed in the metropolitan region of Curitiba (Brazil). Emerging compounds are substances present in domestic and industrial sewage. Generally, the emerging compounds are present in the environment due to the indiscriminate release of untreated domestic and industrial sewage. Even treated sewage may contain emerging compounds due to the difficulty in removing them. In this work, the presence of caffeine, musk xylene (a fragrance), and bisphenol-A was investigated in surface water samples. Also, traditional parameters used in water quality monitoring were determined, such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate, and fecal coliforms. The emerging compounds were extracted in solid phase and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Caffeine is eliminated in the urine (approximately 0.5% to 10% of the consumption), and the only source is domestic sewage. Bisphenol is widely used in food packs, while musk xylene is found in personal care products, easily eliminated in sewage. The caffeine concentration was between 1.74 ± 0.54 and 123.45 ± 0.81 µg/L. Musk xylene and bisphenol-A had their concentrations between 0.04 ± 0.07 and 0.56 ± 0.12 and between 0.62 ± 0.15 and 12.61 ± 0.21 µg/L, respectively. Positive correlations were found between caffeine and traditional monitoring parameters (BOD and fecal coliforms). Higher values of emerging compounds were determined at points considered extremely polluted. The positive correlations confirm the origin of emerging compounds and show that chemical markers are good parameters for monitoring pollution when the use of traditional parameters makes the diagnosis doubtful.