Abstract

HERNANDEZ-QUIROZ, Manuel; RUIZ-MEZA, Diego; ROJO-CALLEJAS, Francisco  and  PONCE DE LEON-HILL, Claudia. DETERMINATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF EMERGING POLLUTANTS IN INTERSTITIAL WATER FROM WETLAND SEDIMENTS THROUGH THE OPTIMIZATION AND VALIDATION OF AN ANALYTICAL METHOD. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2019, vol.35, n.2, pp.407-419.  Epub Feb 19, 2020. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2019.35.02.12.

The present work shows the methodology (study of a method) for the analysis of four emerging pollutants. Each studied pollutant represents a family from emerging pollutants (an estrogenic compound, an antibacterial, a pharmaceutical and a fragrance). The method was optimized to be used in a complex environmental matrix such as sediment interstitial water of a wetland with high organic matter content. The extraction of the compounds was carried out by solid phase extraction technique and quantified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in single ion monitoring mode. The method was validated using the “Single Laboratory Method Validation Process” through the determination of the performance parameters of the method. The optimized method was applied to the analysis of sediment interstitial water from the canals of the periurban agricultural zone of Xochimilco, Mexico. This preliminary study showed that the sampling point close to the wastewater discharge area from the secondary treatment wastewater plant had the highest concentration of emerging pollutants. Also, an inversely proportional relationship was observed between the concentrations of ibuprofen and musk with the concentration of organic matter in the sediments. The optimization of the method and the ratification with sediment interstitial water samples from the wetland, showed the worthiness of the method for the evaluation of the presence and distribution of emerging pollutants.

Keywords : active pharmaceutical compounds; pore water; Xochimilco; gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.