Ocorrência e remoção de fármacos no Sistema de Abastecimento de Água da Zona Norte de Natal/RN

Abstract

Successful technological advances in industrial sectors such as agriculture, cosmetics, personal care products and pharmaceuticals have enabled the development of new chemicals useful to the “modern man”. Some chemical compounds, however, can reach environmental compartments after disposal, so they are considered contaminants of emerging interest as they are found in concentrations of ng / L to μg / L. Among the chemical classes thus considered, drugs stand out. In this context, monitoring of these products in aquatic matrices is essential, as they may cause adverse effects on more sensitive populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of sixteen drugs (Naproxen, Diclofenac, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Sulfamethoxazole, Linezolid, Acyclovir, Losartan, Diltiazem, Propanolol, Loratadine, Bezafibrate, Promethazine, Caffeine, Metformin, and Genfibroz samples). collected at points of interest of a Water Treatment Plant located in Natal / RN (ETA Extremoz), to investigate the occurrence and removal of drugs in the said ETA. Monitoring was carried out from December 2017 to May 2019, totaling 12 campaigns. The collections were performed at four ETA points: raw water, filtered water, treated water and filter wash water. The most frequently occurring drug was losartan, detected in 83% of campaigns. The highest concentrations observed were 681.3 ng / L of propranolol in raw water and 3114.01 ng / L of acyclovir in treated water. Among the compounds analyzed, 5 drugs (caffeine, metformin, diclofenac, bezafibrate and diltiazem) were not detected above the LD and LQ limits in all collected samples. Removal analysis at the station indicated that there was no removal of compounds throughout the treatment process.