Regulamentação do estrogênio sintético 17α-etinilestradiol em matrizes aquáticas na Europa, Estados Unidos e Brasil

Fate, occurrence, and removal of estrogens in livestock wastewaters

During the last decades, livestock and animal feeding operations have been expanded. In parallel, these activities are among the major sources of estrogens in the environment. Thus, considering the environmental and health risks associated with estrogenic compounds, this work reviews the fate, occurrence, and removal of free and conjugated E1, E2, and E3 in livestock wastewaters. A systematic literature review was carried out, and after applying the eligibility criteria, 66 peer-reviewed papers were selected. Results suggest high estrogen concentrations and, consequently, high estrogenic activity, especially in samples from swine farming. E1 and E2 are frequently found in wastewaters from bovine, swine, and other livestock effluents. Aerobic treatment processes were more efficient for estrogen removal, whereas anaerobic systems seem poorly effective. Removal efficiencies of estrogens and estrogenic activity of up to 90% were reported for constructed wetlands, advanced pond systems, trickling filters, membrane bioreactors, aerated and nitrifying reactors, combined air flotation, and vegetable oil capture processes. High concentrations found in wastewaters from livestock allied to the removal efficiencies reported for anaerobic processes (usually used to treat livestock wastewaters) evidence the importance of monitoring these compounds in environmental matrices.

Membrane biorreactor, reverse osmosis and UV/H2O2 process integration for ethinylestradiol removal: A cost-benefit analysis

The presence of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water bodies and its potential risks to human health and the environment have been frequently described in the literature, in addition to its limited removal in conventional wastewater treatment plants. Many studies have evaluated this removal by advanced processes, including photodegradation and membrane separation. A significant number of studies also assess the economic analysis of these technologies. However, few works articulate both perspectives: the specificity involved in estrogen removal and economic analysis. Given this gap, this work evaluates the synergies involved in the integration of reverse osmosis (RO) and advanced oxidative processes by UV/H₂O₂ (AOP) in the post-treatment of membrane bioreactor (MBR) effluents. To this end, the integrated plant possibilities were represented through a superstructure that integrated EE2 removal and cost models of each process. The use of a Hook and Jeeves optimizer considering these processes standard operating conditions made it possible to determine the percentage of stream division for each equipment and even the absence of any of these in an integrated plant with lower cost and EE2 concentration output below the recommended limit by the European Union (0.035 ng.L^-1). For EE2 feed content up to 3 ng.L^-1, the lowest cost configuration is to route 20% of the MBR effluent to the AOP, 30% to the RO, and the remainder to a final mixer. For concentrations above 15 ng.L^-1, the sufficient and lowest cost configuration is the MBR-RO-AOP series. Intermediate values have a more advantageous integrated process configuration with the parallel and series configurations combined, with a stream distribution dependent on the feed concentration. Moreover, a parameter sensitivity analysis was performed, clarifying paths for design improvements and acting as a systematic guide for future work in this area. This analysis highlights that EE2 removal is more sensitive to temperature (1.04%), feed substrate concentration (-1.18%), solid retention time in the MBR (0.32%), and irradiance in AOP (-0.46%). Investment costs also proved to be decisive in the composition of the total cost, enhancing the relevance of the maturation process of these technologies in light of simple changes in operating parameters.

Biochar from fungiculture waste for adsorption of endocrine disruptors in water

The agricultural residues are ecofriendly alternatives for removing contaminants from water. In this way, a novel biochar from the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was produced and assessed to remove endocrine disruptor from water in batch and fixed-bed method. SMS were dried, ground, and pyrolyzed. Pyrolysis was carried out in three different conditions at 250 and 450 °C, with a residence time of 1 h, and at 600 °C with a residence time of 20 min. The biochar was firstly tested in a pilot batch with 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and progesterone. The residual concentrations of the endocrine disruptors were determined by HPLC. The biochar obtained at 600 °C showed the best removal efficiency results. Then, adsorption parameters (isotherm and kinetics), fixed bed tests and biochar characterization were carried out. The Langmuir model fits better to progesterone while the Freundlich model fits better to EE2. The Langmuir model isotherm indicated a maximum adsorption capacity of 232.64 mg progesterone/g biochar, and 138.98 mg EE2/g biochar. Images from scanning electrons microscopy showed that the 600 °C biochar presented higher porosity than others. In the fixed bed test the removal capacity was more than 80% for both endocrine disruptors. Thus, the biochar showed a good and viable option for removal of contaminants, such as hormones.

Effect of Applied Electrical Stimuli to Interdigitated Electrode Sensors While Detecting 17α-Ethinylestradiol in Water Samples

The effect of impedance measurements of applied voltage on the detection of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water samples using interdigitated electrodes (IDE) coated or not with thin films, is described. Firstly, the effect of immersion in EE2 aqueous solutions of layer-by-layer films prepared with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), graphene oxide (GO), poly(1-(4-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylazo) benzene sulfonamido) 1,2 ethanediyl, sodium salt) (PAZO), polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) was analyzed. These results demonstrated that PAH/GO films desorb during the immersion on EE2 solutions, while EE2 adsorbs on PAH/PAZO and PEI/PSS films with characteristic time values of 16.7 and 7.1 min, respectively, demonstrating that both films are adequate for the development of EE2 sensors. However, as the adsorption characteristic time is shorter, and the EE2 adsorbed amount is smaller, the PEI/PSS films are more suitable for the development of sensors. The effect of the applied voltage was analyzed using both IDEs covered with PEI/PSS films as well as those uncoated. The capacitance spectra are best fitted to analyze this effect, and the loss tangent spectra are advantageous to analyze the aqueous media. Furthermore, it was concluded that lower voltage values are best suited to perform measurements of this nature, given that higher voltages lead to less reliable results and cause irreparable damage to the sensors.

Medicines as an emergent contaminant: the review of microbial biodegration potential

Emerging environmental contaminants, such as medicine waste, are of great concern to the scientific community and to the local environmental and health departments because of their potential long-term effects and ecotoxicological risk. Besides the prolonged use of medicines for the development of modern society, the elucidation of their effect on the ecosystem is relatively recent. Medicine waste and its metabolites can, for instance, cause alterations in microbial dynamics and disturb fish behavior. Bioremediation is an efficient and eco-friendly technology that appears as a suitable alternative to conventional methods of water waste and sludge treatment and has the capacity to remove or reduce the presence of emerging contaminants. Thus, this review has the objective of compiling information on environmental contamination by common medicines and their microbial biodegradation, focusing on five therapeutic classes: analgesics, antibiotics, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and contraceptives. Their effects in the environment will also be analyzed, as well as the possible routes of degradation by microorganisms.

Assessment of 17α-ethinylestradiol effects in Daphnia magna: life-history traits, biochemical and genotoxic parameters

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystems and the need to study them have increased over the years since they enter continuously the environment. Besides, these compounds are not intended for applications with environmental purposes, and therefore, little is known about their ecological effects, particularly in non-target organisms, as invertebrate species. Inside these substances, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have recently come into the limelight, due to environmental concentrations and consequently their detrimental effects on different organisms. 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) has been detected in the aquatic environment in various locations around the globe since it is the main synthetic hormone used as a female oral contraceptive and is also applied in veterinary medicine and animal production. The present study was intended to assess the chronic effects of EE2, in the non-target organism as Daphnia magna. Thus, to analyze the individual and subindividual impact, this aquatic organism was chronically exposed (21 days) to 0.00 (control group), 0.10, 1.00, 10.0, and 100 μg/L of EE2. Results here obtained demonstrated that D. magna exposed to the EE2 concentrations had significant effects in individual (life-history) and sub-individual (biochemical levels) parameters. Alterations as anticipation in the age at first reproduction, a decrease of the growth rate, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation were detected, as well as genotoxic damage. Therefore, it was possible to infer that EE2 can disrupt several metabolic pathways and physiological functions of D. magna, since EE2 demonstrated ecotoxicity, at environmentally relevant concentrations. This work reinforces the importance of examining the effects of more relevant exposures (more prolonged and with ecologically pertinent concentrations) of potential endocrine disruptors like EE2, to the freshwater organisms and ecosystem.

Detecting Traces of 17α-Ethinylestradiol in Complex Water Matrices

Hormones have a harmful impact on the environment and their detection in water bodies is an urgent matter. In this work, we present and analyze a sensor device able to detect traces of the synthetic hormone 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) below 10⁻⁹ M in media of different complexities, namely, ultrapure, mineral and tap waters. This device consists of solid supports with interdigitated electrodes without and with a polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) layer-by-layer film deposited on it. Device response was evaluated through capacitance, loss tangent and electric modulus spectra and the data were analyzed by principal component analysis method. While the three types of spectra were demonstrated to be able to clearly discriminate the different media, loss tangent spectra allow for the detection of EE2 concentration, with a sensitivity of −0.072 ± 0.009 and −0.44 ± 0.03 per decade of concentration, for mineral and tap water, respectively. Detection limits values were found to be lower than the ones present in the literature and presenting values of 8.6 fM (2.6 pg/L) and of 7.5 fM (22.2 pg/L) for tap and mineral waters, respectively. Moreover, the obtained response values follow the same behavior with EE2 concentration in any medium, meaning that loss tangent spectra allow the quantification of EE2 concentration in aqueous complex matrices.

Determination of 17α-ethinylestradiol and toxic metals in surface waters, and estimation of daily intake

The presence of substances such as hormones and toxic metal in aquatic ecosystem is interesting to the scientific community due to their adverse effects. We quantified 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and toxic metals in the surface waters from Sorocaba and Pirajibu Rivers, in São Paulo State, and we estimated the daily intake for hormone, based on the amount of water consumed. EE2, Cd, Hg, As, Pb, and Mn were seasonally quantified in six different locations along the rivers. EE2 was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Toxic metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Considering the entire sample year, EE2 concentrations ranged from 4.5 to 48.2 μg L^-1. Comparing Sorocaba and Pirajibu rivers, the sample point in the entrance of the Pirajibu River through the city of Itu, São Paulo State, had higher amounts of EE2. Regarding metals, all results are according to the Brazilian and World Health Organization guidelines for drinking-water quality, except for Mn levels, which were higher than the limits in Autumn season in two locations. The estimated daily intake ranged from 13.45 to 40.9 μg/day/person. In conclusion, concentrations of EE2 in the Sorocaba and Pirajibu Rivers were higher than in other countries. The levels were as high as an intake of one pill for each person every day (considering an oral contraceptive has 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol). Even though concentrations of toxic elements are in accordance with the Brazilian Regulation and World Health Organization, legislation for hormones and drugs needs to advance.

Panorama da pesquisa sobre tratamento e reúso de efluentes da indústria de antibióticos

RESUMO Este trabalho realizou uma revisão integrativa de artigos científicos indexados entre 2007 e 2017 em diferentes bases de dados sobre o tratamento e o reúso de efluentes provenientes da indústria de antibióticos. Foram encontrados 31 artigos, sendo que somente 4 abordaram o reúso de efluente, e 1 utilizou um sistema de tratamento em escala real. A maior parte desses estudos foi realizado na Ásia, com destaque para a China. Observa-se que, no Brasil, que é um dos grandes produtores e consumidores de fármacos do mundo, esse tipo de pesquisa ainda é incipiente. Os processos mais encontrados foram os oxidativos avançados que mostraram maior eficiência na remoção de antibióticos, mas podem gerar subprodutos, o que pode representar um risco ainda maior dependendo da substância formada. Os processos biológicos devem ser primeiramente aclimatados aos antibióticos para não serem impactados, entretanto, a liberação desses micro-organismos resistentes no corpo receptor também apresenta um risco ambiental. Os sistemas integrados de membranas ao biológico também foram bem eficientes, mas atenta-se ao risco na destinação final dessas membranas que foram capazes de reter esses compostos. No geral, são necessários mais estudos sobre essa abordagem para reduzir os riscos no desenvolvimento de micro-organismos multirresistentes no meio ambiente.

Reproductive toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of the flowers ofAcmella oleraceaand spilanthol in zebrafish: In vivo and in silico evaluation

Hydroethanolic preparations of Acmella oleracea is used in the north of Brazil as a female aphrodisiac. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the action of the hydroethanolic extract of Acmella oleracea (EHFAo) flowers (21.873 and 44.457 mg/kg) and spilanthol (3 mg/kg) administered orally on reproductive performance and effects on the embryonic development of zebrafish F1 generation. It was observed that in the groups in which males and females received EHFAo and spilanthol, the spawning was interrupted, whereas in the groups in which only the females were treated, spawning occurred during the 21 days. Thus, in the histopathological evaluation of the gonads, it was possible to observe that the percentage of mature cells in the spermatozoa and females was significantly reduced. Only the embryo groups in which parental generation was treated with EHFAo showed lethal and teratogenic effects. On the other hand, the parental groups treated with the spilanthol presented only the lethality. Spilanthol and some metabolites showed good oral availability and important toxicological properties. Thus, it is suggested that the treatment of parental generation of zebrafish with EHFAo and spilanthol caused severe changes in the gonads and on fertility. However, on the embryo, the most striking effects in the development were recorded in the groups in which the parental generation was treated with the EHFAo, while the spilanthol influenced the lethality of the embryos.

Assessing the presence of endocrine disruptors and markers of anthropogenic activity in a water supply system in northeastern Brazil

Several chemical substances known as micropollutants are used in daily activities, and they pose risks to both human health and the environment. Some of these substances disrupt the endocrine system in addition to being responsible for major public health issues and for endangering some aquatic species. The aim of this research is to investigate the frequency of endocrine disruptors and anthropogenic activity markers in a Water Supply System (SAA) in Sergipe State, Brazil. Twenty-two water samples were collected from five SAA points from 2016 to 2017. They were prepared through solid phase extraction and analyzed in a gas chromatographer coupled to a mass spectrometer. In total, 13 compounds (diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, nonylphenol, pentachlorophenol, bisphenol A, androstane, estrone, estradiol, 17 α-ethinyl estradiol, progesterone, coprostanol, cholesterol and caffeine) that are endocrine disruptors and antrophic activity markers were herein assessed - both in raw (underground and surface) and treated water (distribution system and reservoir) samples. Based on our results, 50% of the samples contained caffeine; 45.5%, cholesterol; 31.81%, diethyl phthalate; 31.81%, dibutyl phthalate; 18.18%, bisphenol A; and 4.54%, estradiol. Therefore, it is important to create and implement public policies focused on public health and on assuring the safety of aquatic ecosystems.