This research work discusses the removal of organic pollutants specifically diclofenac and acid blue-25 using chalcogenide semiconductors. Semiconductors are materials that absorb light of specific energy and potentially degrade these organic pollutants into smaller compounds that are not toxic such as carbon dioxide and water. / Civil and Chemical Engineering

Les PCB (polychlorobiphényles), PBDE (éthers de biphényles polybromés) et OCP (pesticides organochlorés) sont des composés d’origine anthropique classés comme POP (polluants organiques persistants) dont l’usage a progressivement été restreint ou interdit. Ces composés, de par leur caractère ubiquiste, persistant et bioaccumulable, sont néanmoins toujours présents dans l’environnement, d’où l’importance de continuer à étudier leur présence, leur dynamique et leur impact. Du fait de la restriction de leurs usages, d’autres composés sont maintenant utilisés pour les remplacer, tels que les retardateurs de flamme alternatifs (RFA). Ces composés bromés et chlorés ont des propriétés physico-chimiques comparables à celles des POP précités et peuvent potentiellement constituer un danger chimique pour l’environnement. Par ailleurs, les RFA sont attendus à des niveaux de concentration plus faibles que les PCB et les PBDE que ce soit dans les compartiments biotiques et abiotiques. Ainsi, l’un des enjeux de ce travail de thèse était de développer une méthode multi-résidus, associant chromatographie en phase gazeuse et spectrométrie de masse à temps de vol, permettant d’analyser simultanément 17 RFA à des niveaux inférieurs au ng.g-1. Les niveaux et profils de contamination en POP et RFA ont ensuite été renseignés dans les compartiments biotiques et abiotiques de différents systèmes aquatiques contrastés. Le caractère bioamplifiable de ces composés a été étudié grâce à la détermination de facteurs d’amplification trophique (TMF) dans l’estuaire de la Gironde et dans le bassin du Rhône, à l’aide d’outils statistiques innovants. Dans l’estuaire de la Gironde il a été mis en évidence que certains RFA étaient autant voire plus bioamplifiables que certains POP historiques. Par ailleurs, dans le bassin du Rhône, l’utilisation des TMF comme outil prédictif, pour le BDE-47 ou la ΣPBDE-DCE par exemple, a été discutée et parait envisageable dans un cadre réglementaire. / PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBDEs (polybrominated biphenyl ethers) and OCPs (organochlorine pesticides) are anthropogenic compounds classified as POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants), their use was restricted or prohibited. These compounds are ubiquitous, persistent and bioaccumulative and they are still present in the environment; this is the reason why it is important to continue the study of the fate and impact in the environment. Due to their usage restriction, other compounds are now used to replace them, such as alternative flame retardants (RFAs). These brominated and chlorinated compounds have physicochemical properties comparable to those of POPs and can thus be potentially hazardous to the environment. In addition, RFAs are expected to occur at lower concentrations than PCBs and PBDEs, whether in the biotic and abiotic compartments. Thus, one of the challenges of the present work was to develop a multiresidue method, based on gas chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, allowing for the simultaneous analysis of 17 RFAs at levels below ng.g-1. The levels and patterns of POP and RFA contamination were reported in the biotic and abiotic compartments of selected hydrosystems. The biomagnification potential of these compounds was also studied by determining trophic magnification factors (TMF) in the Gironde estuary and in the Rhône basin. In the Gironde estuary, it was shown that some RFA biomagnify as much or more than some historical POPs. Furthermore, in the Rhône basin, the use of TMF for predictive purpose, for BDE-47 or ΣPBDEs-WFD for example, was discussed and found possible.

No description available.

Obesity is a worldwide problem affecting both children and adults. Genetic, physiological, environmental, psychological, social and economic factors interact in varying degrees, influencing body weight and fat distribution and the progress of obesity. Moreover, some anthropogenic chemicals have proven to be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with the potential to interfere with different actions of hormones in the body. EDCs may thereby disrupt homeostasis, modifying developmental, behavioral and immune functions in humans and animals, and also promoting adiposity. Because hormones generally act at low concentrations, small changes in the endocrine system may lead to extensive effects. Based on data from experimental and epidemiological studies this thesis elucidates the relationship between a large number of environmental contaminants and obesity. The experimental studies demonstrated that fructose supplementation in the drinking water resulted in unfavorable metabolic alterations such as a higher liver somatic index (LSI), an increase in plasma triglycerides and increased plasma levels of apo A-I. Fructose in combination with exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) increased liver fat content and plasma levels of apo A-I in juvenile female Fischer 344 rats. The experimental studies also showed that the retro-peritoneal fat, which in rats is a distinct fat depot easy to distinguish and dissect, correlated well with the measurements of total fat mass analyzed with MRI, and could therefore be used as a substitute for total fat mass in rats. The epidemiological studies showed that circulating levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were related to fat mass measured by DXA. OCDD, HCB, TNC, DDE and the less chlorinated PCBs were positively related to fat mass, while the more highly chlorinated PCBs showed a negative association. Further, circulating levels of BPA were positively associated with levels of the hormones adiponectin and leptin, but negatively related with ghrelin, hormones which are involved in the regulation of hunger and satiety. However, serum BPA levels were not related to measures of fat mass in the elderly individuals in the PIVUS cohort. This thesis concludes that environmental contaminants such as BPA and POPs most likely are contributors, along with genetic, social and behavioral factors, to the development of obesity.

Inhalation risks on human health for hazardous air pollutants emitted from MACT I petroleum refining industry were determined using EPA HEM-3 Program. Methodology included compiling vertical and fugitive emissions from 2002 National Emissions Inventory for sources inside two facilities in Louisiana, 'Motiva Norco' and 'Valero St. Charles' refineries. Six cases were modeled applying EPA criteria, where cancer risks are 'low' if the probability is. 1/1, 000, 000, and non-cancer risks are harmful when hazard quotient is > 1. It was demonstrated that fugitive emissions have more impact on human health than the verticals because of their significant portion of the total refining emissions. HAPs can cause moderate adverse effects in humans living nearby refineries, as 113 people resulted in high risk of respiratory problems with Valero emissions, 4571 people resulted in 'moderate' risk of getting cancer with Motiva emissions, 2702 people with Valero emissions, and 11, 282 people with both refineries' emissions.

Actuellement, le public et surtout dans les pays industrialisés est de plus en plus conscient du fait que la dégradation de l’environnement peut dépasser les avantages du progrès rapide dans les domaines industriels et technologiques et que des dommages sérieux et irréversibles peuvent être imposés aux futures générations. L'occurrence des POPs dans l'environnement, qui résulte essentiellement des activités anthropogéniques, est l'une des préoccupations permanentes chez les scientifiques. Ces composés ont été trouvés dans toutes les matrices environnementales telles que l'air, le sol, l'eau et les sédiments et en raison de leurs propriétés lipophiles, ils risquent de rebondir dans la chaîne alimentaire humaine. Durant cette dernière décennie, le Liban a connu une grande explosion démographique qui a été accompagnée par des activités anthropogéniques diverses. La dégradation de la qualité de l’environnement est bien ressentie par la population locale et les conséquences sur la santé humaine sont lourdes et affreuses. Les travaux de cette thèse ont permis d’évaluer concrètement l’effet de POPs sur la qualité de l’environnement au Liban, ces travaux ont abouti à la détermination des niveaux de quelques POPs les plus globalement étudiés tels que les HAPs, les PCBs et les OCPs dans les différents compartiments environnementaux au Liban. A cette fin, des protocoles d'analyse comprenant une méthode GC/MS pour la séparation et la détection des HAPs, une méthode UAE pour l'extraction des HAPs à partir du sol et des sédiments et une méthode SPE pour l'extraction des HAPs à partir de l'eau ont été développés. Ces méthodes ont été ensuite appliquées pour évaluer les niveaux de 17 HAPs dans des sols de différents usages et pour étudier la distribution de HAPs dans la phase aqueuse et les sédiments sur les côtes libanais et dans des rivières côtières et internes. Les principaux résultats ont montré que les niveaux de contamination des sols par les HAPs décroissent dans l’ordre suivant: industriels, urbains, transport et agricoles et que les sols industriels et urbains étaient 777 et 256 fois plus toxiques que les sols ruraux de référence selon l'approche TEF. De plus, l'eau et les sédiments des sites côtiers affectés par l'industrie et le transport maritime ont montré une contamination plus élevée par les HAPs. Certains échantillons de sédiments ont montré des niveaux de quelques HAPs individuels supérieures à l'ERL, ce qui pourrait occasionnellement provoquer des effets écologiques négatifs. Les travaux de cette thèse incluent aussi la détermination des niveaux des PCBs et des OCPs dans les sédiments de la rivière Litani qui est une source d’une grande préoccupation environnementale actuelle au Liban. / Currently, the public and especially in industrialized countries is increasingly aware that environmental degradation can outweigh the benefits of rapid progress in the industrial and technological fields and that serious and irreversible damage can be imposed on the future generations. The occurrence of POPs in the environment, which results mainly from anthropogenic activities, is one of the permanent concerns of scientists. These compounds have been found in all environmental matrices such as air, soil, water and sediments and because of their lipophilic properties, they are likely to rebound in the human food chain. During the past decade, Lebanon has experienced a large population explosion that has been accompanied by various anthropogenic activities. The degradation of the quality of the environment is felt by the local population and the consequences for human health are heavy and horrendous. The work of this thesis allowed to evaluate concretely the effect of POPs on the quality of the environment in Lebanon, this work led to the determination of the levels of some POPs most widely studied such as PAHs, PCBs and OCPs in the different environmental compartments in Lebanon. To this end, analytical protocols including a GC/MS method for the separation and detection of PAHs, a UAE method for the extraction of PAHs from soil and sediments and an SPE method for the extraction of PAHs from water were developed. These methods were then applied to evaluate the levels of 17 PAHs in soils of different uses and study the distribution of PAHs in the aqueous phase and sediments on the Lebanese coasts and in coastal and inner rivers. The main results showed that soil contamination levels by PAHs decreased in the following order: industrial, urban, transport and agricultural and that industrial and urban soils were 777 and 256 times more toxic than rural reference soils according to the TEF approach. In addition, water and sediments from coastal sites affected by industry and shipping have shown higher contamination by PAHs. Some sediment samples showed concentrations of a few individual PAHs greater than the ERL, which could occasionally cause negative ecological effects. The work of this thesis also includes the determination of levels of PCBs and OCPs in the sediments of the Litani River which is a source of great environmental concern currently in Lebanon.

A exposição ambiental aos poluentes orgânicos persistentes tem recebido amplo destaque na literatura recentemente devido à extensa associação entre o desenvolvimento de doenças metabólicas, obesidade e/ou diabetes mellitus, e a presença destes poluentes, principalmente os organoclorados, como as bifenilas policloradas (PCBs), no organismo. Por outro lado, os mecanismos de ação destes poluentes é controverso devido à elevada quantidade de representantes destas classes, gerando diversidade de protocolos de exposição e escassez de estudos experimentais. Por isto, foi objetivo deste trabalho elucidar os mecanismos de ação tóxica do PCB126, nas doses de 0,1; 1 ou 10 µg/kg de massa corpórea, em ratos Wistar machos, durante quinze dias, expostos por instilação intranasal. O procotolo de exposição empregado foi caracterizado e considerado suficiente para causar toxicidade, uma vez que foram observadas alterações no sistema imune, metabolismo e em parâmetros relacionados à gênese do diabetes mellitus. A caracterização da exposição foi determinada pela quantificação da concentração de PCB126 no fígado e pulmão (CG/MS) e pelo aumento da expressão do receptor aril hidrocarboneto (AhR) no rim, fígado, pulmão e tecido adiposo (Western Blot). O efeito imunossupressor do PCB126 foi evidenciado pelo comprometimento da produção de células na medula óssea e, consequentemente, no número de células totais no sangue circulante. Adicionalmente, foi evidenciada a interferência do poluente na via de ativação mediada por receptores acoplados à proteína G (GPCRs), principalmente em neutrófilos, alterando importantes funções destas células, como a expressão de moléculas de adesão, geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio e migração. Entre as alterações metabólicas observadas, destacamos o aumento dos níveis de triglicerídeos e colesterol sérico, aumento da liberação de ácidos graxos livres; aumento da atividade da enzima hepática gama glutamil transferase; aumento da resistência à insulina e aumento da geração de óxido nítrico pelas ilhotas de Langerhans, dados estes, possivelmente relacionados ao comprometimento das células beta (β) pancreáticas, confirmados pelo aumento da expressão de GLUT4 no tecido adiposo, aumento da concentração de insulina sérica e aumento do estresse oxidativo nas ilhotas de Langerhans. Em conjunto, os dados obtidos destacam importantes alterações causadas pela exposição intranasal ao PCB126, evidenciando a participação do poluente na gênese do diabetes mellitus do tipo II. / The environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants has been widely highlighted in recent literature due to the extensive association between the development of metabolic diseases, obesity and/or diabetes mellitus, and presence of these pollutants, especially organochlorines such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in organism. Moreover, the mechanisms of action of these pollutants are controversial due to the high number of PCBs congeners, diversity of exposure protocols and lack of experimental studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of PCB126\'s toxic action at doses of 0.1; 1 or 10 µg/kg body weight in male Wistar rats exposed by intranasal instillation for 15 days. The established exposure procotol was characterized and considered sufficient to cause toxicity since changes were observed in the immune system, metabolism and in parameters related to the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Characterization of exposure was determined by quantifying the concentration of PCB126 in liver and lung (GC-MS) and by the increased expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in kidney, liver, lung, and adipose tissue (Western blot). The immunosuppressive effect of PCB126 was evidenced by impairment of cell production in the bone marrow and thus the total number of cells in the circulation. In addition, the interference of the pollutant in the activation pathway mediated by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), in particular in neutrophils, was observed by changing important functions of these cells such as the expression of adhesion molecules, reactive oxygen species generation, and migration. Among the metabolic changes observed, we highlight the increased levels of triglycerides and serum cholesterol, increased release of free fatty acids; increased gamma glutamyl transferase hepatic enzyme activity; increased insulin resistance and increased generation of nitric oxide by the islets of Langerhans, these data possibly related to the impairment of beta cells (β) pancreatic function, suggested by the increased expression of GLUT4 in adipose tissue, increased serum insulin concentration and increased oxidative stress in the islets of Langerhans. Altogether, these results highlight important changes caused by intranasal exposure to PCB126, suggesting participation of the pollutant in the genesis of diabetes mellitus type II.

Os grânulos plásticos são encontrados no ambiente marinho e, em função de suas características podem concentrar e transportar poluentes orgânicos. A Enseada de Santos representa um polo de grande importância econômica para o estado de São Paulo, devido à existência do Porto de Santos e do complexo industrial de Cubatão nos seus arredores. Essa região foi escolhida para o desenvolvimento deste estudo por possuir uma grande quantidade de grânulos na superfície arenosa de suas praias. O presente estudo teve como objetivos: (1) avaliar uma proposta metodológica para a coleta de grânulos plásticos, baseada no uso de transectos perpendiculares à linha da água compostos por escavações (amostragens) equidistantes; e (2) analisar a concentração, composição e fontes de contaminação de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) nos grânulos coletados em praias arenosas, considerando diferentes escalas espaciais e a influência do tipo de resina que os grânulos são produzidos, bem como o tempo de exposição destes no ambiente. O resultado da avaliação da proposta metodológica determinou o diâmetro do trado que fornece a melhor combinação entre tempo e volume de sedimento coletado, além da confirmação da profundidade de maior ocorrência dos grânulos na coluna sedimentar, bem como a constatação de que transectos tornam-se inviáveis para este procedimento. É sugerido, então, o desenvolvimento de estudos futuros a fim de encontrar o melhor desenho amostral, uma vez que não foi eficaz a realização de transectos, para a amostragem de grânulos plásticos em profundidade. De acordo com os resultados das análises, a concentração e composição de HPAs nos grânulos plásticos variaram de forma expressiva entre os pontos amostrais em uma mesma praia, de forma que, para a obtenção da real variabilidade de poluentes em uma praia, são necessárias coletas em diversos pontos amostrais, a fim de evitar uma equivocada extrapolação dos resultados. As análises dos grânulos coletados em diferentes profundidades no sedimento arenoso indicam resultados semelhantes, com uma alta variabilidade na composição e concentração de HPAs. Entre as resinas, houve diferença na concentração de HPAs (polietileno > polipropileno) e no tempo de exposição, com maiores concentrações nos grânulos mais escuros, ou seja, mais tempo expostos no ambiente. A contaminação na área de coleta é oriunda da mistura de compostos provenientes de fontes petrogênicas e pirolíticas e as análises da potencial toxicidade dos HPAs em grânulos, em geral, indicam um risco iminente aos organismos. São necessários, no entanto, estudos complementares também para a investigação da possibilidade de bioacumulação dos poluentes em organismos. / Plastic pellets are easily found in marine environment and due to its characteristics they may concentrate and bring organic pollutants. Santos bay represents a major economic center for the state of São Paulo because of Santos Port and the Cubatão industrial complex in its surroundings. This place was chosen for the development of the study for the great number of pellets found in the sandy surface of its beaches. This study aimed at (1) evaluating a sampling methodology for plastic pellets based on the use of transects perpendicular to the seawater line and made by diggings equally distant from one another (samplings). It also aimed at (2) analyzing the concentration, composition and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination on the pellets sampled on sandy beaches, considering different spatial scales and resin kinds which the plastic pellets were made from as well as their exposure time in the environment. As a result of the evaluation of sampling methodology the sampler diameter was defined which provides the best combination between the time and the volume of sampled sediment. Apart from that the depth of the major occurrence of plastic pellets in the sedimentary column was confirmed and it was established that transects are impracticable for this kind of procedure. The development of future studies in order to figure out the best sample design is suggested once the use of transects was not efficient for plastic pellets sampling in depth. According to analyses results the PAHs concentration and composition on the plastic pellets vary largely among sampling sites on the same beach. In order to obtain real pollutant variability on one beach, samples taken from different sampling sites are necessary to avoid a wrong over sizing of results. The plastic pellets analyses taken from different depths in sandy sediment showed similar results to those from the surface with a high variability in PAH concentration and composition. Among the resins there was a difference on PAH concentration (polyethylene > polypropylene) and exposure time, showing larger concentrations on darker pellets, that is longer exposed in the environment. The contamination in the studied area comes from the mixture of compounds from petrogenic and pyrolitic sources and the PAHs potential toxicity in plastic pellets analyses generally reflect an imminent risk to organisms. Complementary studies are also necessary to investigate the possibility of pollutant bioaccumulation in organisms.

Os grânulos de plástico (\"pellets\") no oceano podem adsorver diversas substâncias hidrofóbicas como os poluentes orgânicos persistentes (POPs). Neste trabalho foi avaliada a ocorrência de bifenilos policlorados (PCBs) e diclorodifeniltricloroetano (DDTs) em \"pellets\" coletados em 37 praias de 13 municípios ao longo do litoral paulista, sudeste do Brasil. Os POPs foram extraídos com solventes orgânicos e quantificados por cromatografia em fase gasosa com detecção por captura de elétrons (CG-DCE) e espectrometria de massas (CG/EM). A deposição dos \"pellets\" e a concentração dos PCBs (1,3 - 5.112 ng g-1) e DDTs (14,1 - 1.214 ng g-1) foi maior na Baixada Santista, onde se localiza o maior complexo industrial do país e o maior porto da América Latina, seguido do litoral norte não industrializado e o litoral sul com atividade pesqueira. Os dados de POPs em \"pellets\" deste estudo foram comparados aos publicados anteriormente utilizando grânulos com vários graus de descoloração da mesma área e aos resultados do International Pellet Watch (grânulos amarelados) apresentando concentrações similares e contribuíram para acompanhar o \"status\" de contaminação por POPs na costa do Estado de São Paulo. / Pellets in the ocean can adsorb various hydrophobic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs).This study evaluated the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichloro-diphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) adsorbed on plastic pellets. The pellets were collected in 37 beaches of 13 cities, along the São Paulo coast, southern Brazil. The POPs were extracted with organic solvents and quantified by gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The deposition of \"pellets\" and the concentration of PCBs (1.3-5,112 ng g-1) and DDTs (14.1 - 1,214 ng g-1) were greater in the Santos Bay, where the largest industrial complex in the country and the largest port in Latin America are located; followed by the non-industrialized north coast and the south coast presenting fishing activity. The POPs data was compared to those previously published using granules with a mixture of several degrees of discoloration from the same area and the results from International Pellet Watch (yellowing pellets). The results indicated concentrations and contributed to monitoring POPs contamination status on the coast of the State of São Paulo.

Aerogéis de hidroxipropil metilcelulose (HPMC) com diferentes graus de substituição por grupos metila (DS) e hidroxipropila (MS) foram preparados por liofilização utilizando diferentes ácidos como agentes de reticulação, a saber: ácido cítrico, ácido oxálico e ácido tereftálico. Nanocristais de celulose bacteriana (BCN) neutros e negativamente carregados foram utilizados como carga de reforço nas concentrações de 5% (m/m) e 15% (m/m) em relação à massa da matriz. Os resultados indicaram que HPMCs com menores valores de DS e maiores valores de MS resultam em aerogéis com maior eficiência na reticulação. Além disso, agentes de reticulação insolúveis em água minimizaram a capacidade de reticulação, enquanto agentes de reticulação com uma maior quantidade de grupos funcionais ácidos aumentaram a probabilidade e a eficiência da reação de reticulação das cadeias de HPMC. Os aerogéis apresentaram alta estabilidade em água, solventes orgânicos e meio ácido, além de apresentar resiliência quanto à deformação em meio aquoso. Os aerogéis apresentaram porosidade de ~98%, densidade média variando de 0,021 à 0,026 (± 0,002) g.cm-3, módulo de Young variando de 101 à 150 (± 19) kPa e capacidade média de absorção de água de 18 g de água/g de aerogel. A adição de carga de reforço resultou em um aumento de até 13% na densidade aparente do aerogel e um aumento médio de 20% no módulo de Young dos materiais. A morfologia dos poros dos aerogéis sintetizados é irregular, com ampla faixa de distribuição de tamanho de poros, podendo variar cerca de 5 µm a 500 µm. Nos aerogéis reforçados, as BCNs encontram-se preferencialmente no interior das paredes dos aerogéis, onde o reforço mecânico é mais eficiente. Isotermas de adsorção de 17α-etinilestradiol (EE) foram realizadas, resultando em capacidades de remoção de até 90%, com possibilidade de reciclo. As isotermas indicam que a matriz HPMC J5MS possui maior afinidade para adsorção de EE e que a adição de BCNs aumenta a afinidade das moléculas pelo substrato. As isotermas foram melhor ajustadas com o modelo de Freundlich, indicando que a adição de 5% de BCNs aumenta a capacidade de adsorção do aerogel, enquanto a adição de 15% de BCNs provoca uma diminuição nesta propriedade. / Aerogels of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), with different degrees of substitution for methyl groups (MS) and hydroxypropyl groups (DS) were prepared by freeze-drying. The HPMCs were combined with three organic acids as crosslinking agents: citric acid, oxalic acid and terephthalic acid. Bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCN) neutral and negatively charged were used as reinforcement particles from 5% to 15% m/m in relation to the polymer mass. The results indicated that HPMC with lower DS and higher MS levels result in aerogels with higher crosslink efficiency. Besides that, crosslinking agents that are water insoluble minimized the crosslinking capacity, while crosslinking agents with more functional acid groups presented higher probability and efficiency in the crosslinking reaction. The aerogels presented high stability in water, organic solvents and acid media, and presented mechanical resilience in aqueous media. The resulting aerogels presented porosity of ~98%, average density of 0.021 to 0.026 (± 0.002) g.cm-3, Young modulus of 101 to 150 (± 19) kPa and an average capacity of water absorption of 18 g of water/g of aerogel. The addition of reinforcement particles resulted in an increase in density up to 13% and an average increase in the Young modulus of 20%. The morphology of the aerogels was irregular, with a wide pore size distribution, varying between de 5 µm a 500 µm. In the reinforced aerogels, the BCNs were found preferably inside the aerogels walls, were the mechanical reinforcement is more efficient. Adsorption isotherms of 17 ethinyl estradiol (EE) revealed removal capacity up to 90% and possibility of adsorbent recycling. The isotherms indicated that the HPMC J5MS has higher affinity for EE molecules and that the use of BCNs increases aerogels affinity. The isotherms were well fitted with the Freundlich model, indicating that the addition of 5% BCN increases the adsorption capacity of the aerogels, while the addition of 15 % BCN results in a decrease in this property.