Evaluation of the Pathway of Contaminants in the Environment: A Case Study of Different Aquatic Environmental Compartments

Jonathan Cawettiere Espíndola (), Nazareno Scaccia, Inalmar Barbosa Segundo (), Davi da Silva Diniz, José Uelton Diniz and José Carlos Mierzwa
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Jonathan Cawettiere Espíndola: International Reference Center on Water Reuse of the University of São Paulo (IRCWR-USP), Environmental and Hydraulic Department (PHA), Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-020, SP, Brazil
Nazareno Scaccia: Institute of Tropical Medicine (IMT-SP), Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05403-000, SP, Brazil
Inalmar Barbosa Segundo: Renewable Energies and Environmental Sustainability Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
Davi da Silva Diniz: SENAI Betim UI CETEM M a Madalena Nogueira, Betim 32600-075, MG, Brazil
José Uelton Diniz: SENAI Betim UI CETEM M a Madalena Nogueira, Betim 32600-075, MG, Brazil
José Carlos Mierzwa: International Reference Center on Water Reuse of the University of São Paulo (IRCWR-USP), Environmental and Hydraulic Department (PHA), Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-020, SP, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: The occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in several environmental compartments has raised significant concern given the extensive array of compounds and their consistent detection across various environmental matrices. Monitoring all potentially harmful compounds and identifying their sources is nearly impossible. However, providing data on their occurrence is crucial and lays the groundwork for decision makers to craft mitigation strategies toward a more sustainable water policy. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to conduct an evaluation study on CECs occurrence in the environment. The main novelty relies on understanding their specific pathway in three different environmental aquatic compartments. For that, a combined study of a systematic review and systemic analysis was performed. Initially, the five most common types of CECs found in aquatic ecosystems (groundwater and surface water) and wastewater were considered. For each group of CECs, five contaminants were identified. A bibliographic portfolio was generated through the application of a systematic review. Finally, a systemic analysis of the bibliographic portfolio was conducted. All classes of contaminants studied were identified in the environmental compartments evaluated. Except for pesticides, the degree of contamination by CECs followed a sequence based on the aquatic compartment (i.e., WW–SW–GW).

Keywords: pollutants; contaminant dispersion; pharmaceutical; water pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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