Occurrence, control and fate of contaminants of emerging concern in environmental compartments in Brazil

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2019-06, Vol.372, p.17-36
• Main Authors: Starling, Maria Clara V.M., Amorim, Camila C., Leão, Mônica Maria D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drinking water; Ecotoxicology; Emerging pollutants; Municipal wastewater; Surface water
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.04.043

[Display omitted] •Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in Brazil is compiled.•Control of contaminants of emerging concern in MWWTP in Brazil is analyzed.•The fate of pesticides in agricultural areas in Brazil is assessed.•Legislation concerning CEC in Brazil is presented and contrasted to the US and EU.•Status of CEC contamination in Brazil is transposable to other developing nations. This is the first review to present data obtained in Brazil over the years regarding contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) and to contrast it with contamination in other countries. Data gathered indicated that caffeine, paracetamol, atenolol, ibuprofen, cephalexin and bisphenol A occur in the μg L−1 range in streams near urban areas. While endocrine disruptors are frequently detected in surface waters, highest concentrations account for 17α-ethynylestradiol and 17β-estradiol. Organochlorine pesticides are the most frequently found and persistent in sediments in agricultural regions. Moreover, in tropical agricultural fields, pesticide volatilization and its implications to ecosystem protection must be better investigated. The reality represented here for Brazil may be transposed to other developing countries due to similarities related to primitive basic sanitation infrastructure and economic and social contexts, which contribute to continuous environmental contamination by CEC. Municipal wastewater treatment facilities in Brazil, treat up to the secondary stage and lead to limited CEC removal. This is also true for other nations in Latin America, such as Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Therefore, it is an urgent priority to improve sanitation infrastructure and, then, the implementation of tertiary treatment shall be imposed.