Pollution profile by n-alkanes in sediment and surface water of the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex

Abstract

The increase in urban demand derived from human activities has contributed to pollution levels in water environments, compromising the quality of water, sediments, and aquatic biota. Estuarine environments receive multiple influences from anthropogenic activities that contribute to the deposition of organic pollutants in the environment, including n-alkanes. In this context, n-alkanes are hydrocarbons that can be found in the environment through natural ecosystem activities as well as through pollution by human practices. Due to their degradation resistance characteristics, they are considered good markers of environmental pollution. The presence of hydrocarbons in the environment can become a major stressor in the environment, being associated with cases of cancer, mutations, and changes in the endocrine system of animals and humans. This study aimed to evaluate the pollution profile of surface water and sediments caused by the presence of n-alkanes. For this, it was evaluated the presence of n-alkanes in surface water and sediment at ten points in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (Paraná – Brazil), comprising areas influenced by the sea and part of an urbanized river, during four distinct events. The concentrations in water reached a maximum value of 61.7 µg L-1, while in the sediment, the value was 8825.09 µg Kg-1. The diagnostic reasons suggest mixed sources of contribution, but reaffirm the portion of anthropic contribution to estuarine pollution and reinforce the pressures of human activities in processes of degradation of water bodies. It is expected that the data found will serve as a basis for future work and support decision-making in the context of water resources management in the region.