Modeling the dispersion of endocrine disruptors in the Santos Estuarine System (Sao Paulo State, Brazil)

Giovana Teixeira Gimiliani,Denis Moledo De Souza Abessa,Roberto Fioravanti Carelli Fontes

doi:10.1590/s1679-87592016072806401

Giovana Teixeira Gimiliani, Denis Moledo De Souza Abessa + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-87592016072806401

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Abstract

Abstract Estrogens are hormones responsible for growth and reproduction. They are naturally synthesized by animals and humans alike. Xenoestrogens are identical to natural hormones, but they are man-made and used as oral contraceptives. Xenoestrogens are a specific group of drugs found in domestic wastewater and some environmental matrices. These compounds remain after conventional sewage treatment and, consequently, affect both the environment and non-target aquatic organisms. In this study, we used the Delft3D hydrodynamic model to estimate the amount of both natural and synthetic estrogens that have been released in the Estuarine System of Santos and São Vicente and the Santos Bay. The data on flow from the sewage treatment plants and on average concentrations of natural and synthetic estrogens released in aquatic environments were obtained from the literature. The results of the modeling showed higher concentrations of estrogens in the estuarine waters of the Largo Pompeba region, the São Vicente Canal, and the Santos Bay, which are regions that receive greater inflows of domestic sewage. The results also suggest that higher concentrations of estrogenic compounds are expected to be found in areas with higher levels of salinity.

Highlights

Estrogenic hormones are primarily responsible for the growth and maintenance of a healthy reproductive system of both humans and animals
Natural and synthetic estrogens are a group of the most potent class of drugs found worldwide in different environmental matrices. Estrogens and their metabolites have been identified in domestic sewage in nature, in effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and in surface and drinking waters (BILA; DEZOTTI, 2007; MULROY, 2001; TERNES, 2001; BELFROID et al, 1999; STUMPF et al, 1999; TERNES et al, 1999)
The flow data from the Santos drainage channels, sewage point, and diffuse sources used in this study were derived from the model that was implemented in the Laboratory of Estuarine Dynamics and Coastal Seas (LADIN / EMC) at São Paulo State University in São Vicente (UNESP)

Summary

Introduction

Estrogenic hormones are primarily responsible for the growth and maintenance of a healthy reproductive system of both humans and animals. The current study estimated the dispersion of natural and synthetic estrogens in the Santos Estuarine System using the Delft-3D hydrodynamic model combined with a water quality module.

Results

Conclusion