Presence of organic compounds in river surface water in a neotropical environment of south Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Many industrially synthesized human - therapeutic agents, agrochemicals, and additives used by industries are heterocyclic compounds. Many of these contribute to increased environmental contamination in localized and diffuse sources of water bodies, reflecting soil quality, communities, and human health. This concern led us to develop this research to evaluate the presence of organic compounds in the surface waters of the Pirapó river basin, Paraná, Brazil, influenced by the soybean and safflower corn crops that are cultivated in adjacent areas around the river. The water samples were collected from October 2017 to January 2019, at three collection points. Organic compounds were analyzed by GC-MS, after the solid phase extraction (SPE). Two organic compounds were analyzed: azetidine and sarcosine that are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Organic compounds existing in drugs and/or contaminants that were observed in this study reveal the importance of further investigation into their origins and the consequences for the health of the biota and the population.

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical compounds
• GC-MS method
• Environmental monitoring