Mercury Concentrations in Bulk Atmospheric Deposition over the Coast of Rio de Janeiro, Southeast, Brazil

Lacerda, Luiz Drude de; Paraquetti, Heloisa H. M.; Rezende, Carlos Eduardo de; Silva, Luiz Fernando F.; Silva-Filho, Emmanoel V.; Marins, Rozane Valente; Ribeiro, Mario G.

doi:10.1590/s0103-50532002000200006

Cited by 20 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Furthermore, the presence of higher metal content in upper layers of the sediment core suggests that this lagoon may also have been affected by recent anthropogenic sources of trace metals. Atmospheric deposition, especially from industrial areas, can be an important source of metal contamination in coastal areas in Southeast of Brazil (Lacerda et al 2002;Lacerda and Ribeiro 2004). As there are no other industrial or urban sources in the vicinity, it may have been possible that the prevailing NE winds have transported metals released by the induration furnaces from the pelletizing plant to Guanabara Lagoon, which was previously assumed to be an undisturbed reference location.…”

Section: Sediment Normalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of iron-ore mining and processing on metal bioavailability in a tropical coastal lagoon

et al. 2008

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Background, aim, and scope In water systems, water quality and geochemical properties of sediments determine the speciation of trace metals, metal transport, and sediment-water exchange, influencing metal availability and its potential effects on biota. Studies from temperate climates have shown that iron-ore mining and tailing wastewaters, besides being a source of trace metals, usually show high levels of dissolved ions and particulate suspended matter, thus having the potential of indirectly changing metal bioavailability. For the first time in the tropics, we identified the effects of iron-ore mining and processing on metal bioavailability in a coastal lagoon. With an extensive sampling scheme, we investigated the potential sources of metals; the links among metal levels in water, sediments, and invertebrates; and the contrasting effects on metal speciation and bioavailability. Methodology The metals Fe, Mn, Al, Cr, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As were measured in water, sediments (surface and profiles), and invertebrates from Mãe-Bá Lagoon and in the sites directly influenced by the mining operations (tailing dams and nearby rivers). In addition, samples from two other lagoons, considered pristine, were analyzed. The study area is located in the southeast of Brazil (Iron Quadrangle Region and a coastal area of Espírito Santo State). General water characteristics included pH, dissolved organic carbon, alkalinity, and anion composition. Water metal speciation was assessed by a speciation model (Chemical Equilibria in Aquatic Systems). Grain-size distribution, organic carbon, carbonate, and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) were determined in sediments. Statistical methods included comparison of means by Mann-Whitney test, ordination and correlation analyses, and analysis of regression for geochemical normalization of metals with grain size. Results and discussion The dissolved metal concentrations, the total metal levels in sediments, and the normalization based on the fine sediment fraction showed that the mining operations constitute potential sources of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, As, and Hg to Mãe-Bá Lagoon. However, trace metal availability was reduced because of increased pH, hardness, and sulfide content (356 μmol/g) in the sites influenced by the mining. The lagoon showed similar water chemistry as in the mining sites, with metal bioavailability further decreased by the presence of dissolved organic carbon and chloride. Although AVS levels in the lagoon were low (0.48-56 μmol/g), metal bioavailability was reduced because of the presence of organic matter. Metal levels in invertebrates confirmed the predicted low metal bioavailability in Mãe-Bá Lagoon. The lagoon was considered moderately contaminated only by Hg and As. Conclusions The iron-ore mining and processing studied here constitute potential sources of metal pollution into the tropical lagoon. Contrary to expectations, however, it also J Soils Sediments

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Section: Sediment Normalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of iron-ore mining and processing on metal bioavailability in a tropical coastal lagoon

et al. 2008

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“…A seasonal trend in Hg distribution was also observed been associated with the pre-harvest burning of the sugarcane plantations. These studies suggested that for the Campos dos Goytacazes region surface ecosystems were already submitted to anomalous high deposition rates of Hg (Silva Filho, et al, 1998;Lacerda, et al, 2002). Indeed a study performed in Florida everglades sugarcane area showed that pre-harvest burning in the most significant source of Hg to that environment (Patrick et al, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury and organic carbon distribution in six lakes from the North of Rio de Janeiro State

Sousa

Carvalho

et al. 2004

Braz. arch. biol. technol.

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“…The area was, and remains, home to some of Brazil's gold mining Bgarimpo^activity, where Hg is used in the extraction of gold from rivers and streams (Hanai 1999;Villas Bôas 2001). Atmospheric deposits also exist (Lacerda et al 2002). Together, these factors released Hg into the environment that was, and still is, available to be metabolized into methyl-Hg and incorporated into aquatic vegetation and organisms Molisani et al 1999;Yallouz et al 2001;Ferriera et al 2003;Sousa et al 2004).…”

Section: Study System-the Pairaba Do Sul Watershed and Inhabitantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury concentrations and awareness in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil: baseline measures for examining the efficacy of the Minamata Convention

et al. 2015

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The 2013 Minamata Convention seeks to reduce anthropogenic emissions of mercury (Hg) and enhance public awareness of Hg exposure and impacts. The treaty also requires countries to increase monitoring of Hg in the environment in order to reduce human exposure and examine the efficacy of the treaty over time. Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, is located in a watershed with a history of significant Hg deposition from gold mining and sugarcane farming. This study provides previously unpublished data on the presence of Hg in certain fish in Campos and the awareness of mercury contamination among the local population. We analyzed Hg concentrations in five commonly consumed fish species by the residents of Campos and found concentrations to be elevated in some species, to vary significantly among species, and to correlate with trophic levels likely due to biomagnification. A sample survey of people in Campos found that education levels negatively correlated with knowledge of the presence of Hg in fish and the negative health effects of both Hg and heavy metal contamination in general. These findings have potential importance for understanding Hg levels in the environment, underscore the necessity for public awareness and education efforts regarding Hg contamination (as called for in the new Convention), and provide baseline measures for the presence of Hg in fish in Campos and public awareness related to this presence. These data can be compared to future studies to examine the efficacy of the Convention and other efforts to reduce Hg emissions and exposure to Hg in this part of Brazil.

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Mercury Concentrations in Bulk Atmospheric Deposition over the Coast of Rio de Janeiro, Southeast, Brazil

Cited by 20 publications

References 9 publications

Effects of iron-ore mining and processing on metal bioavailability in a tropical coastal lagoon

Effects of iron-ore mining and processing on metal bioavailability in a tropical coastal lagoon

Mercury and organic carbon distribution in six lakes from the North of Rio de Janeiro State

Mercury concentrations and awareness in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil: baseline measures for examining the efficacy of the Minamata Convention

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