RESUMO
Sunscreens are used to protect skin against ultraviolet radiation, avoiding the damages that can be caused by it. However, in vitro and in vivo studies report that some organic substances employed as sunscreens can alter the biological effects of several hormones. Therefore, a methodology for passive sampling using a semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of some organic compounds employed in sunscreen formulations, such as benzophenone (BZP), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BZP-3), 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC), 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate (4-MCN), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), and homomethyl salicylate (HMS), from swimming pool waters where exposure to these substances is unintended. The determination of these analytes in the acceptor phase was performed using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The optimization of the methodology included the evaluation of several variables, such as type and volume of acceptor phase, dimensions and time of exposure of the SPMD, sample pH, and volume. The optimum conditions for the collection of the solar filters were achieved with an 8-cm device filled with 3.0 mL of acetonitrile and without adjustment of the sample pH, which was approximately 5.8. The collection time was 24 h. Afterwards, some parameters of merit of the developed method were determined. The working range for BZP, BZP-3, 4-MBC, 4-MCN, EHS, and HMS was established as 25-500 µg L-1. The methodological limits of detection and quantification for these analytes were 0.2-1.0 µg L-1 and 0.7-3.1 µg L-1, respectively. Quantification of the analytes was performed on four samples collected from different swimming pools. Recovery tests were performed with the samples spiked with 100 µg L-1 of each substance, and recovery percentages in the range of 75-116% were obtained. The performance of the SPMD was also verified through the determination of BZP-3, EHS, and HMS in a swimming pool water sample intentionally contaminated with a commercial sunscreen.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Química Analítica/métodos , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Protetores Solares/análise , Piscinas , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Água/químicaRESUMO
The Potiguar Basin has oil and gas production fields offshore and onshore. All treated produced water (PW) from these fields is discharged through submarine outfalls. Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are minor constituents of PW, their input into the marine ecosystem is environmentally critical due to potential ecological hazards. A 2-year monitoring program was conducted in the vicinity of the outfalls to evaluate PAH bioaccumulation in marine life from PW discharges. The study was performed using transplanted bivalves Crassostrea brasiliana and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) to measure PAH concentrations via bioaccumulation and in seawater. The bioaccumulation of PAH in transplanted bivalves reached up to 1105 ng g(-1) in the vicinity of the monitored outfall. Significantly lower PAH concentrations were found in the reference area in comparison to the studied area around the outfalls. Time-integrated PAH concentrations in seawater ranged from 38 to 0.3 ng L(-1) near the outfalls and from 10 ng L(-1) to not detected in the reference area. Both measurement techniques were found to be effective for determining a gradient of descending PAH concentrations from the outfalls. In addition, this study also evaluated the bioavailability of PAH for local marine biota and provided information about the influence of PW discharges on the water quality of marine ecosystems.