Ocorrência de hormônios estrogênicos e avaliação da atividade estrogênica de esgoto bruto e tratado de uma ETE do município do Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

Abstract

Several chemical residues natural and synthetic estrogens considered emerging contaminants have been found in environmental matrices. Although detected in trace concentrations, these micropollutants are able to promote changes in the endocrine system, interfering in the growth, reproduction and development of organisms exposed to them. The identification of endocrine disruptors may be performed by analytical methods that involve techniques of analytes concentration and extraction coupled with chromatographic tests. In addition, in vitro assays (Yeast estrogen screen) allow to detect estrogenic activity of the compounds and environmental samples. In this study it was analyzed the presence of estrogenic activity by the YES test in raw and treated sewage samples in a WWTP of Rio de Janeiro municipality, and the chromatographic analyzes were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The physical and chemical parameters were analyzed, and using the statistical test Spearman correlation it was possible to evaluate the relationship between the physical and chemical parameters and the concentrations of estrogens. The results of the in vitro assay YES, have shown that in only one sample among 10 samples had no estrogenic activity. The highest average value of EQ-E2 found was 4,61 ng.L-1. The estrogen that was mainly detected was estriol, with concentrations ranging from 0.261μg.L-1 and 7,136μg.L-1. Estrogen was predominantly detected estriol with concentrations ranging from 0.261 μg.L -1 and 7,136 μg.L -1. The 17α - ethinylestradiol was detected in only one raw sewage sample from the 20 samples analyzed and treated sewage in four samples having the lowest concentration 0.049 μg. L-1 and the highest 0.564 μg.L -1. Estradiol was detected in only one raw sewage sample concentration of 0.64 μg.L-1. Taking into account that most of the samples showed estrogenicity effect and although conventional treatment processes do not completely remove the micropollutants, it is recommended that more studies should be performed on this subject, focusing on the implementation of effective treatments for micropollutants removal, in order to reduce their presence in environmental matrices and increase the effects on organisms exposed to them.