Chronology of anthropogenic impacts reconstructed from sediment records of trace metals and Pb isotopes in Todos os Santos Bay (NE Brazil)

Abstract

The evolution of the impacts of anthropogenic activities in Todos os Santos Bay was evaluated by profiles of trace metals and Pb isotopes determined in sediment cores. Fluxes of metals increased up to 12, 4 and 2 times for Cu, Pb, and Zn, respectively, compared to those recorded in the beginning of the 20 century. Stable Pb isotopes identified a decommissioned lead smelter and burning of fossil fuels as the main sources of Pb. Most metals showed minor to moderate enrichment factors (EF<4), but Cu and Pb were highly enriched (EF=28 and 6, respectively) at the Aratu harbor. Temporal changes in sediments were associated to different activities, namely Pb smelting, burning of fossil fuels, maritime traffic, petroleum related activities, inputs of domestic effluents, and changes in land uses. The effects of the implementation of environmental policies to improve the waters of the bay could not be identified in the evaluated cores.

Evaluating Spatiotemporal Resolution of Trace Element Concentrations and Pb Isotopic Compositions of Honeybees and Hive Products as Biomonitors for Urban Metal Distribution

“…Globally, changes in industrial regulation policies have decreased metal loadings in the environment (European Environment Agency, 2019;Pacyna & Pacyna, 2001), evident in measured concentrations of Pb in ocean surface waters (Pinedo-González et al, 2018) and Pb and other heavy metals in air particulate and air pollution biomonitors like mosses and lichen in and around metropolitan centers, including Vancouver (Pott & Turpin, 1996;Simonetti et al, 2003). Variations of Pb isotopic compositions in temporally constrained proxies like peat (Kamenov et al, 2009;Kamenov & Gulson, 2014;Shotyk et al, 1998) and sediment records (Andrade et al, 2017;Michelutti et al, 2009) reflect changes in source and extent of anthropogenic Pb inputs throughout history, particularly in the last century. Biomonitors will continue aiding researchers in the future as policies and industrial practices further evolve.…”

Mercury in the Sediment of the Upper Parnaíba River

“…Thus, it is possible that Hg concentrations in some collection sites are derived from anthropic activities, especially at S1, S2, and S3 (Figure 4), located near the more urbanized area of the Upper Parnaíba River basin. Other studies have reported an increase of Hg concentration in sediments due to urbanization (Andrade et al, 2017;Cabral et al, 2016;Cavoura et al, 2017;Hu et al, 2015). Therefore, anthropic activities have been increasing Hg concentration in sediments of sites near the urban areas due to the inadequate disposal of residues containing this element, such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, thermometers, electronic components, among others (Micaroni et al, 2000).…”

“…The Parnaíba River basin is the second most important in the Northeast of Brazil, located in a region of expansion of the agricultural frontier in the Central-Northeastern direction called Matopiba, which covers the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia (Freitas & Mendonça, 2016;Santos, 2015, Garcia & Buainain, 2016. However, in spite of providing regional economic development, agricultural activities practiced in an intense and disorderly manner can cause problems of contamination of the soil and water resources by surface runoff and leaching, causing, for instance, changes in the concentration of metals, such as mercury (Andrade et al, 2017;Cabral et al, 2016;Hu et al, 2015). The United Nations Environmental Programs establishes the use of pesticides, biocides, and topical antiseptics as one of the anthropogenic sources of mercury (UNEP, 2017).…”

“…In recent years, several studies have been carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in river Engenharia Agrícola, Jaboticabal, v.38, n.5, p.760-767, sep./oct. 2018 sediments in Brazil and in the World, such as Andrade et al (2017), Bai et al (2016), Begy et al (2016), Franz et al (2013), Franz et al (2014), Poitrasson et al (2014), Resongles et al (2014), Silva et al (2013), and Voigt et al (2016). However, due to the need for unique extraction techniques and the cost of analyses, studies involving mercury are in less number (Franklin et al, 2012).…”

Influence of the “Great Acceleration” of the Anthropocene on the fluxes of trace elements in sediments of the Santos and São Vicente estuarine system, southeastern Brazil

“…Moreover, estuarine and coastal systems receive significant fluvial inputs, as well as dissolved and particulate matter. As a result, anthropogenic fluxes of trace elements to estuaries and coastal zones have risen significantly, disrupting biogeochemical cycles (Andrade et al 2017).…”