Determination of the impact and occurrence of emerging pollutants in Ríos de la Costa Ecuadorian and treatment proposals for its removal

There is a worldwide concern about the so -called emerging pollutants (CES) present in the water. CES are chemical compounds, among which we have antibiotics, pesticides, surfactants, caffeine, illegal drugs among others. That are not eliminated in conventional water treatments and are therefore released to the environment. Generally, they are found in low concentrations, but when they are continuously unloaded to the environment they accumulate generating a problem for public health and the environment. Studies around the world have detected these pollutants in surface, underground and drinkable waters. The studies have shown that they are not eliminated after being treated in conventional wastewater treatment plants, so the waters still have a burden of these pollutants that are later released to surface water sources. On this problem three fundamental issues arise: 1) What is the occurrence of emerging pollutants in the rivers of Ecuador?, 2) What is the impact of these pollutants on the aquatic environment? And 3) How can these contaminants be treated in wastewater before being released to the rivers? The objective of this research is to determine the occurrence and impact of emerging pollutants of the aquatic biota of the Esmeraldas rivers, and evaluate the development of an alternative for its removal. The project is divided into three parts. In the first part, the occurrence of the model CES will be determined: triclosán, sulfametoxazole, diclofenaco, ibuprofen, nicotine, paracetamol, trimetoprim and estradiol in rivers of esmeraldas: Santiago de Maldonado, cayapas in stone tip, green in El Alto, Collope in Colop Colorado The listings have been chosen because it has been found in various studies around the world that its occurrence is usual in surface waters and for being part of the list of drugs or components of mass consumption products best selling in Ecuador. In the second part, the risks of the presence of these contaminants in the aquatic biot will be determined. In the third part, cladoceras and absorbent materials will be studied as low cost and impact methods for the removal of these pollutants. These results are intended to raise public awareness about the presence of these pollutants in Esmeraldas rivers and their effects on aquatic biota and at the same time propose solutions on this problem already studied worldwide and very little at the local level.

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