title: Assessment of anthropogenic contamination with sterol markers in surface sediments of a tropical estuary (Itajaí-Açu, Brazil).
abstract: The Itajaí-Açu estuarine region is one of the most important estuarine systems of south Brazil, due to the location of the Itajaí Harbor, which is the major route of international trading of the state and the largest national fishing pole landing. In addition, industries as well as urban and tourism activities are potential sources of pollution in this area. In the present study, sediment samples from 12 stations along the estuarine system were collected and extracted followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis. Eight sterols were identified and quantified, indicating natural and anthropogenic sources. Coprostanol concentrations ranged from <4 up to 8930 ng g(-1) of dry weight sediment with higher values being observed in the area next to the Itajaí Harbor and under influence of Itajaí-Mirim River flow, which receives wastewater from several cities. Concentrations and selected sterol ratios were useful tools used to distinguish anthropogenic and biogenic organic matter (OM) sources in the studied area, where coprostanol concentrations higher than 500 ng g(-1) were observed in 42% of the stations analyzed, indicating strong sewage contamination. Factor analysis with principal component analysis (FA/PCA) has distinguished two different groups of samples, with high and low total sterol concentrations. FA/PCA results revealed that the stations located in the estuary were separated by PC1 because they are clearly contaminated by sewage, also pointed by coprostanol/(coprostanol+cholestanol) and coprostanol/cholesterol ratios and by the higher concentrations of fecal sterols.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Departamento de Química, Campus Universitário Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina SC 88040-900, Brazil. Electronic address: morganafrena09@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Morgana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frena
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química, Laboratório ThoMSon de Espectrometria de Massas, Campinas, São Paulo SP 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giovana A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bataglion
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Botânica, Rodovia Washington Luis km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo 13565-905, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Tonietto
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química, Laboratório ThoMSon de Espectrometria de Massas, Campinas, São Paulo SP 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Eberlin
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Departamento de Química, São Cristóvão, Sergipe SE 49100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Alexandre
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Departamento de Química, Campus Universitário Trindade, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina SC 88040-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz A S
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Madureira
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013261:Sterols / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013261:Sterols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Estuarine system; Sediment; Sewage contamination; Sterols