A new Integrated Water Quality Index (IWQI) and your application with emergent pollutants in the Atlantic Forest biome basin in southern Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The presence of emerging contaminants in surface water is a growing concern, as these substances are not typically monitored by environmental quality systems, potentially leading to the consumption of contaminated water. In this study, the presence of caffeine, an emerging contaminant that is ingested solely by humans and is present in surface water due to its chemical characteristics, was investigated as a potential indicator of anthropogenic contamination in the Itajaí-Açu River in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome. Additionally, twelve other emerging pollutants were examined in the Itajaí-Açu River, including estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), ethinylestradiol (EE2), estriol (E3), prednisone (PD), hexestrol (HEX), acetaminophen (ACM), Oxytetracicline (OC). Surface water samples were collected over five months and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that caffeine was present in 84% of the analyzed samples, and emerging pollutants were present in all monitored municipalities. The study also investigated the relationship between an integrated water quality index, the magnitudes and occurrences of caffeine, and land use. The emerging pollutants Estrone, Ethinylestradiol, Hexestrol, Naproxen and Oxytetracycline were not detected in the analyzed samples. However, Ibuprofen, Tetracycline, Prednisone, and Acetaminophen were present in 44% and 36% of the samples, respectively, with Estriol, Ketoprofen, and Estradiol having a lower occurrence. The mean concentrations of Estradiol, Estriol, Ketoprofen, Acetaminophen, and Ibuprofen were 0.08 µg L-1, 0.23 µg L-1, 0.15 µg L-1, 0.42 µg L-1, and 0.44 µg L-1, respectively, and were higher than previously reported. The concentration range of caffeine during the study was <0.10 to 1.48 µg L-1, with the mean concentration being 0.30 µg L-1. These findings highlight the presence of emerging pollutants in the Itajaí-Açu River and the need for continued monitoring and regulatory legislation to protect surface water quality in Brazil.

Keywords

• Water Quality Index
• Land use and occupation
• Concerning emergent compounds