The 17a-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a synthetic estrogen that is used worldwide as a contraceptive drug. This endocrine disruptor have been frequently detected in surface waters in several countries, mainly due to the fact that up to 60% of most of the pharmaceuticals administered doses are released from the body unmetabolized and reaches the aquatic system. The amount of detected EE2 is in the range of ng L-1, however, this concentration can be enough to cause environmental problems such as fish feminization. The objectives of the present work were to monitor the presence of EE2 in the Sapuca� river, which crosses the city of Itajub�, where the Universidade Federal de Itajub� (UNIFEI) is located, and to study the removal of this compound by Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions. The quantification of EE2 was performed by HPLC (Agilent Infinity - fluorescence detector) equipped with Zorbax SB-C8 column using as a mobile phase a mixture of 50% acetonitrile and 50% deionized water. Optimization study of Fentons reagents showed that 0.0125 mol.L-1 of Fe(II) and 0.045 mol.L-1 of H2O2 were the reagents ratio that resulted in optimum EE2 degradation. The comparison of studies using Fenton, photo-Fenton (using Hg vapor lamp of 125 W) and solar photo-Fenton (irradiation studies were held during 10 am to 2 pm) systems showed that after 60 minutes of reaction time 82%, 92% and 61% of the initial EE2 (1 mg L-1) presented in a spiked water solution were removed, respectively. The generations of some by-products were observed and their determinations and further degradations are the aim of future study. The presence of the EE2 in the Sapuca� river was confirmed and further studies of seasonal influence is on course.

Monitoring and degradation of 17a-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in Sapuca� river (MG - Brazil) by Fenton and photo-Fenton reaction

248th National Meeting (2014)

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