Metals in the sediments of Jauá Lake (Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil) following an episode of industrial contamination

Abstract

The contamination of sediments caused by the deposition of industrial residues from titanium dioxide production, in sand dunes near a wetland was assessed through atomic absorption spectrometry. The contamination occurred near a shallow freshwater wetland called Jauá Lake, along the coast of Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. Five core samples were collected, including a reference site, from Jauá Lake and one from a small lake, near the deposition site. Cores were cut in 20-cm sections. Fractions <63 μm were analysed for copper, cadmium, zinc, iron, lead, aluminium, mercury and titanium. Metal concentrations on the upper layer of sediments were, as a whole, higher than in lower ones. Concentrations from the reference site were similar to those from the other sites in Jauá Lake. Absolute values of most metals in the sediments of the Dunas Lake located near the contamination site were higher than in all other stations. The hypothesis, that:: (1) contamination coming from groundwater would contaminate the sediment; and (2) there would be a gradient of decreasing contamination from sites near the residue deposit to sites located further away, were rejected. The continuous removal of groundwater may have contributed to the reduction of further contamination. It is recommended that future studies examine the concentration of metals in plants and the role of plants in metal bioavailability.

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“…No Brasil, as determinações de elementos--traço em solos já têm sido realizadas por diversos autores (CAMPOS et al, 2003;COTTA et al, 2006;FADIGAS et al, 2006;MARQUES et al, 2002;PIERANGELI et al, 2001;REZENDE, 2009;SILVA et al, 2000;REZENDE, 2002;TOMAZELLI, 2003). Guilherme et al (2005) apresentam uma ampla revisão sobre elementos--traço em solos, sedimentos e água, considerando desde sua ocorrência natural e antropogênica até os seus efeitos deletérios e fatores que afetam sua dinâmica no ambiente.…”

Military Smokes and Obscurants Fate and Effects: A Literature Review Relative to Threatened and Endangered Species

“…The literature review identified one study evaluating concentrations of titanium dioxide in sediments and mussels near a titanium dioxide production facility (da Silva et at. 2000).…”

Characterization of the superficial sediment of Jordão River in Center-South Region of the Parana state, Brazil

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