4. Results and analysis

main sources of supply for the city, and points of the water distribution network; the potable water points were selected according to their distribution from the three current supply systems in the city, including the reservoirs used to supply each system. As for the residual water points, the determination was made at the plant (northwest of the city) and at a sewage

The selection of the compounds for the monitoring of EDs was based on preliminary and secondary information that allowed us to know the possible sources and quantities generated, groups and commercially available categories, and availability of external standards used in the assembly of the standards and their corresponding calibration curves. These categories are as follows: pharmaceutical compounds (14 compounds), organophosphorus pesticides (20 compounds), hormones and steroids (8 compounds), and phthalates (14 compounds); all

The sampling sites were monitored at selected points according to the criteria of representativeness, access, importance, and physicochemical characteristics. In the points that had current such as rivers, sewers, and channels, composite sampling was carried out, whereas specific samples were taken in the dams and wetlands. Table 1 shows the number of points

Samples were taken at the defined points on the dates scheduled for four monitoring days during the periods of August to December 2015 and February to May 2016. The method used

The main contributors of flow and pollutant load

the occurrence of EDs

points (6 per wetland)

49 Points in supply network 29 for Chingaza, 11 for Tibitoc, and 9 for Sumapaz

1 San Benito lift plant exit High presence of companies for tanning of skins

Table 1. Number and type of points selected for each component of the urban water cycle of the city of Bogotá.

sewage system.

The purpose is to observe the contribution of the city to

Within each wetland, samples were taken at different

Selected from stratification according to the coverage percentages of the three current supply systems (Wiesner [70%], Tibitoc [20%], and El Dorado [10%])

Coverage of approximately 40% of the city's wastewater

Three channels of rainwater that are part of the city's

Location Observations

pumping station known as the San Benito lifting plant in the southeast.

high-quality standards were obtained from RESTEK® (Pennsylvania, USA).

3. Sampling

4 Endocrine Disruptors

Component Number

Surface water

Drinking water

Sewage water

Runoff waters

Total 82

of points

and their description and observations.

3 Tributaries of the Bogotá River

3 Rio Bogota entrance to Bogota, exit and intermediate point

18 Wetlands (Jaboque, Juan Amarillo and La Conejera)

2 Entry and exit of Salitretreatment

3 South zone, north zone, and center

plant

zone

3 Inputs to the supply systems

(Tunjuelo, Fucha, and Archbishop)

(Chingaza, Tibitoc, and Sumapaz)

The spatial occurrence of the pharmaceutical group was determined, in particular, the pharmaceutical compounds are of interest due to their pharmacological activity and their wide use in all contexts; recent studies catalog them as some of the compounds of greater occurrence in aquatic matrices [1, 3, 32]. As expected, the presence of this type of compound exhibits a regular behavior, indicating that these compounds come from sources of continuous contamination, possibly from domestic wastewater containing residues of these compounds that are not fully metabolized [33]. In general terms, the concentrations exhibit similar behaviors for compounds such as fluoxetine but higher in the case of trimethoprim, 860 ng L<sup>1</sup> , relative to a range of 10–120 ng L<sup>1</sup> [3, 34]. The presence of carbamazepine is striking, as it is known to pose a significant risk to ecosystems and public health [35]. Based on this descriptive information, the highest occurrences are seen for fluoxetine and carbamazepine compounds in runoff waters (12%) and trimethoprim (17%) and carbamazepine (26%) in wastewater and surface waters; these compounds are commonly used as antiepileptics and antidepressants. In the case of carbamazepine, which presents the greatest occurrences, its presence in all type of aquatic matrices has been previously reported [36, 37]; its presence is related to incomplete metabolism in the body, excessive use by people and its persistence in the environment [35, 36].

Figure 2 shows that the points with the highest occurrence of pharmacists are in the western part of the city, specifically in the points located in the Bogota River and the mouths of its tributaries Tunjuelito, Fucha, and Arzobispo; this makes sense since they receive the runoff from city waters and also domestic and industrial wastewater resulting from wrong connections to the sewage or combined sewer system.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the point observed in the eastern part of the city corresponds to the main point of supply of the drinking water network (wiesner about 70% in coverage), this was presented for the carbamazepine compound that was found in two of the samples corresponding to this point. There is no evidence of contamination sources close to this source of supply, but an alert is generated in this regard that should lead to greater monitoring, mainly to one of the reservoirs that supply this system that is known as the

Figure 2. Spatial distribution of occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds.

San Rafael Reservoir, which is very close to inhabited areas and also to lands where agriculture is carried out.

Within the group of phthalates, a much more uniform distribution of these is observed within the city, which implies its distribution not only geographically speaking but in the different matrices evaluated, that is, runoff water, surface water, waste water, and drinking water. Of particular interest is the magnitude of the phthalates in the water supply network of the eastern part of the city, where it can be seen in Figure 3 that the red color is darker, which represents a higher concentration of the compound bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP). The area corresponds to the oldest part of the city, where the buildings are the oldest and there are also the oldest internal storage networks.

Phthalates had a much higher occurrence in all evaluated matrices, including potable water points, both at source supply points and network points. Phthalates are widely extended compounds and are therefore found in all spheres of the environment [38]. However, their use as plasticizers in consumer products or industrial activities ensure that in cases such as drinking water, their presence tends to increase, specifically in the case of compounds such as N-diethylhexyl phthalate (BEHP), which is used as an additive in PVC pipes [39, 40]. In total, five compounds were found during the monitoring in all matrices, namely, DEP, DPP, BEHP, DnHP, and BnBP. For DEP, the highest occurrence was found in drinking water (28%); however, the highest occurrences in drinking water were measured for DPP and BEHP, with values higher than 80%. These compounds also showed wide variability in

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7

Figure 3. Spatial distribution of occurrence of phthalates.

Aldana and Lopéz [31] ensure that the supply network of Bogotá presents a high complexity due to the variety of diameters, materials, unions, etc., which makes it extremely difficult to associate what is found to a particular factor; however, it is interesting to see the occurrence so high in all the matrices evaluated. Only some points of the drinking water network did not present any of the phthalates, the occurrence of this group of compounds was 100% in wastewater, runoff water, and surface water. The concentrations of the main compounds can be observed in Figure 4.

Occurrence of Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals in the Urban Water Cycle of Colombia http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78325 7

Figure 3. Spatial distribution of occurrence of phthalates.

San Rafael Reservoir, which is very close to inhabited areas and also to lands where agriculture

Within the group of phthalates, a much more uniform distribution of these is observed within the city, which implies its distribution not only geographically speaking but in the different matrices evaluated, that is, runoff water, surface water, waste water, and drinking water. Of particular interest is the magnitude of the phthalates in the water supply network of the eastern part of the city, where it can be seen in Figure 3 that the red color is darker, which represents a higher concentration of the compound bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP). The area corresponds to the oldest part of the city, where the buildings are the oldest and there are

Aldana and Lopéz [31] ensure that the supply network of Bogotá presents a high complexity due to the variety of diameters, materials, unions, etc., which makes it extremely difficult to associate what is found to a particular factor; however, it is interesting to see the occurrence so high in all the matrices evaluated. Only some points of the drinking water network did not present any of the phthalates, the occurrence of this group of compounds was 100% in wastewater, runoff water, and surface water. The concentrations of the main compounds can

is carried out.

6 Endocrine Disruptors

also the oldest internal storage networks.

Figure 2. Spatial distribution of occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds.

be observed in Figure 4.

Phthalates had a much higher occurrence in all evaluated matrices, including potable water points, both at source supply points and network points. Phthalates are widely extended compounds and are therefore found in all spheres of the environment [38]. However, their use as plasticizers in consumer products or industrial activities ensure that in cases such as drinking water, their presence tends to increase, specifically in the case of compounds such as N-diethylhexyl phthalate (BEHP), which is used as an additive in PVC pipes [39, 40]. In total, five compounds were found during the monitoring in all matrices, namely, DEP, DPP, BEHP, DnHP, and BnBP. For DEP, the highest occurrence was found in drinking water (28%); however, the highest occurrences in drinking water were measured for DPP and BEHP, with values higher than 80%. These compounds also showed wide variability in

used as antiepileptics and antidepressants. In the case of carbamazepine, which presents the greatest occurrences, its presence in all type of aquatic matrices has been previously reported [36, 37]; its presence is related to incomplete metabolism in the body, excessive use by people

Occurrence of Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals in the Urban Water Cycle of Colombia

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78325

9

) of phthalates in surface water.

) of pharmaceuticals in wastewater.

Figure 5. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup>

Figure 6. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup>

Figure 4. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup> ) of phthalates in wastewater.

concentration, with most being below the concentration considered to have a negative effect on ecosystems and health [41].

It should be noted that the only wastewater treatment plant in the city of Bogotá works with the technology of advanced primary treatment or chemically assisted, this plant does not present high efficiencies for the removal of emerging contaminants, for which it would be required the implementation of other secondary or tertiary treatments such as membrane bioreactors [42] or constructed wetlands [43].

It is not surprising that the behavior observed in the surface waters composed of the Bogotá River and its tributaries (Figure 5) is similar to that observed in wastewater, since, as mentioned previously, these are the receptors of most of the city's pollution, including domestic waste water and in some cases industrial waste water.

In the case of the concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, the presence of this type of compound exhibits a regular behavior, indicating that these compounds come from sources of continuous contamination, possibly from domestic wastewater containing residues of these compounds that are not fully metabolized [33]. In general terms, the concentrations exhibit similar behaviors for compounds such as fluoxetine but higher in the case of trimethoprim, 860 ng L<sup>1</sup> , relative to a range of 10–120 ng L<sup>1</sup> [3, 34]. The presence of carbamazepine is striking, as it is known to pose a significant risk to ecosystems and public health [35] (see Figure 6).

The results by the type of water evaluated show that the highest occurrences are seen for fluoxetine and carbamazepine compounds in runoff waters (12%) and trimethoprim (17%) and carbamazepine (26%) in wastewater and surface waters; these compounds are commonly used as antiepileptics and antidepressants. In the case of carbamazepine, which presents the greatest occurrences, its presence in all type of aquatic matrices has been previously reported [36, 37]; its presence is related to incomplete metabolism in the body, excessive use by people

Figure 5. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup> ) of phthalates in surface water.

concentration, with most being below the concentration considered to have a negative effect

) of phthalates in wastewater.

It should be noted that the only wastewater treatment plant in the city of Bogotá works with the technology of advanced primary treatment or chemically assisted, this plant does not present high efficiencies for the removal of emerging contaminants, for which it would be required the implementation of other secondary or tertiary treatments such as membrane

It is not surprising that the behavior observed in the surface waters composed of the Bogotá River and its tributaries (Figure 5) is similar to that observed in wastewater, since, as mentioned previously, these are the receptors of most of the city's pollution, including domestic

In the case of the concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, the presence of this type of compound exhibits a regular behavior, indicating that these compounds come from sources of continuous contamination, possibly from domestic wastewater containing residues of these compounds that are not fully metabolized [33]. In general terms, the concentrations exhibit similar behaviors for compounds such as fluoxetine but higher in the case of trimethoprim, 860

as it is known to pose a significant risk to ecosystems and public health [35] (see Figure 6).

The results by the type of water evaluated show that the highest occurrences are seen for fluoxetine and carbamazepine compounds in runoff waters (12%) and trimethoprim (17%) and carbamazepine (26%) in wastewater and surface waters; these compounds are commonly

, relative to a range of 10–120 ng L<sup>1</sup> [3, 34]. The presence of carbamazepine is striking,

on ecosystems and health [41].

Figure 4. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup>

8 Endocrine Disruptors

ng L<sup>1</sup>

bioreactors [42] or constructed wetlands [43].

waste water and in some cases industrial waste water.

Figure 6. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup> ) of pharmaceuticals in wastewater.

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

neering research and development.

ECs emerging contaminants

EDs endocrine disruptors

BPA bisphenol A

TMP trimetoprim P4 progesterone

CBZ carbamazepine

DMP dimethylphthalate DEP diethylphthalate

DPP dipentylphthalate DnHP di-n-hexylphthalate BBP benzylbutylphthalate

BMHP bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate

BnBP bis(2-n-butoxyethyl)phthalate

Diego Fernando Bedoya-Ríos\* and Jaime Andrés Lara-Borrero \*Address all correspondence to: bedoya.diego@javeriana.edu.co

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia

BEHP bis(2ethylhexyl) phthalate

DnOP di-n-octylphthalate

Author details

DIHxP bis(4-methyl-2-pentyl) phthalate

This project was funded through the COLCIENCIAS 669-2014 call to support projects in engi-

Occurrence of Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals in the Urban Water Cycle of Colombia

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11

Figure 7. Concentration (μg L<sup>1</sup> ) of pharmaceuticals in surface water.

and its persistence in the environment [35, 36]. Pharmaceutical compounds again behave similarly in terms of occurrence and concentration in both wastewater and surface water, Figure 7 shows this behavior.

Studies of emerging pollutants with the potential to act as endocrine disruptors have been carried out in other important cities of Colombia such as Cali [44], which shows the importance of expanding the information and generating new lines of research that allow clarifying the possible effects and impacts of this type of compounds on environmental health.

### 5. Conclusions

The studies of occurrence imply the first step to be able to dimension a problematic one; in this case of environmental type, for it, it is seen the need to identify that compounds can generate risk as endocrine disruptors, in where and in what magnitude they are. This in order to compare the current situation in countries like Colombia that have little information, with what has already been defined in other contexts and in this way to be able to define better research, control, and regulatory tools.

The study of occurrence in the urban water cycle of the city of Bogotá revealed that endocrine disruptors do represent a problematic to be taken into account at the management level and that compounds such as bis-2(methylhexyl)phatalate and carbamazapine are found in important concentrations and should continue to be investigated in this respect.
