Copper bioavailability and fractionation in Copper-contaminated sandy soils in the wet subtropics (southern Brazil)

We studied the distribution, bioavailability and speciation of copper in subtropical sandy soils exposed to long-term applications of copper-based fungicide. In the surface horizon of the contaminated soils, bioavailable copper surpasses the toxic threshold for plants up to several times. Mobile fractions of copper predominate in top layers, contributing to contamination spreading downward to groundwater. Copper accumulates on the underlying iron hydroxide barrier in quantities comparable to total copper concentrations in the surface horizon. Despite the impediment of the geochemical barrier, most applied copper reaches the aquifer, contaminating the groundwater

Níveis e origem da acidificação das chuvas na região do Rio Grande, RS

The current article presents the first data on physical-chemical parameters of wet precipitation collected at single collection point in the city of Rio Grande, during the period of 12 months in 1997-1998. The employed technique of rainwater separation into several portions made clear the process of the atmosphere self-purification during a precipitation event. The pH of rainwater depends on the extent of industrial emissions and increases during a precipitation event. The first portion of rainwater shows an obvious neutralizing effect of soil and ocean-derived components, whose intensity depends on the duration of the preceding dry period

Evaluation of the air pollution by particulate lead: geochemical approach

Submitted by Bruna Vieira ([email protected]) on 2012-04-03T01:58:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AVALIAÇÃO DE POLUIÇÃO DO AR.pdf: 515856 bytes, checksum: a7556ab249a1d43320f29ce9c6faa80e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sabrina Andrade([email protected]) on 2012-06-26T21:55:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 AVALIAÇÃO DE POLUIÇÃO DO AR.pdf: 515856 bytes, checksum: a7556ab249a1d43320f29ce9c6faa80e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2012-06-26T21:55:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AVALIAÇÃO DE POLUIÇÃO DO AR.pdf: 515856 bytes, checksum: a7556ab249a1d43320f29ce9c6faa80e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003High lead concentrations up to 5478 mg kg-1 were detected in dry atmospheric precipitations in Rio Grande city and adjacent area. Lead anomalies cover up to 30% of the study area. Lead concentration measurement in dry atmospheric precipitation and suspended particulate matter provides a possibility to detect concentrations above lead threshold in the air. The most impacted areas are fishermen’s villages. The most possible source of lead in the air is uncontrolled sub industrial activity of local population

Mercury pollution sources in sediments of Patos lagoon estuary, Southern Brazil

Present study has continued the investigation on distribution of mercury in estuarine sediments of Patos Lagoon which began whilst assessing the after-effect of enormous accidental discharge of sulfuric acid into the estuary. An attempt to evaluate the contribution of anthropogenic effluents on mercury pollution in sediments was undertaken. The effluents from Rio Grande City sewages were categorized into four groups based on their sources. Comparison of mercury concentrations from those, indicated that domestic effluent was prevalent. Apparent geographic controls of effluent locations enriched in mercury on zones of polluted estuarine sediments were also revealed. Insufficient control on waste collecting and absence of sewage treatment are considered the principal causes of mercury pollution in estuarine sediments

Avaliação de poluição do ar por chumbo particulado: uma abordagem geoquímica

High lead concentrations up to 5478 mg kg-1 were detected in dry atmospheric precipitations in Rio Grande city and adjacent area. Lead anomalies cover up to 30% of the study area. Lead concentration measurement in dry atmospheric precipitation and suspended particulate matter provides a possibility to detect concentrations above lead threshold in the air. The most impacted areas are fishermen’s villages. The most possible source of lead in the air is uncontrolled sub industrial activity of local population

Sources and levels of rain acidity in the region of the Rio Grande city, RS, Brazil

Submitted by Bruna Vieira ([email protected]) on 2012-04-12T20:43:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 NÍVEIS E ORIGENS.pdf: 39732 bytes, checksum: db4617d82f6a7e20f27fffb60a1775cf (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sabrina Andrade([email protected]) on 2012-07-03T22:05:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 NÍVEIS E ORIGENS.pdf: 39732 bytes, checksum: db4617d82f6a7e20f27fffb60a1775cf (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-03T22:05:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 NÍVEIS E ORIGENS.pdf: 39732 bytes, checksum: db4617d82f6a7e20f27fffb60a1775cf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2000The current article presents the first data on physical-chemical parameters of wet precipitation collected at single collection point in the city of Rio Grande, during the period of 12 months in 1997-1998. The employed technique of rainwater separation into several portions made clear the process of the atmosphere self-purification during a precipitation event. The pH of rainwater depends on the extent of industrial emissions and increases during a precipitation event. The first portion of rainwater shows an obvious neutralizing effect of soil and ocean-derived components, whose intensity depends on the duration of the preceding dry period

Mercury contamination of soil as the result of Long-Term phosphate fertilizer production

This study was aimed at determining the range and spatial distribution of mercury in a geographical area influenced by the emissions of phosphate fertilizers industries in Rio Grande, Brazil. The case study demonstrated that mercury concentrations in a fine fraction of the surface soil close to the fertilizer factory reached levels as high as 800 lg kg-1. Increased mercury concentrations were detected up to 60 cm below the soil surface. Further, a significant impact of the elevated mercury levels was manifested in a 1-km zone around the factory. Technical grade sulfuric acid employed in superphosphate production is considered the principal source of this mercury contamination

Metallic tracers as an evaluation tool for long-term petrochemical emissions in urban environment

Submitted by cristiane silva ([email protected]) on 2012-05-30T14:19:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcadores metálicos como avaliação do impacto crônico de emissões petroquímicas em zona urbana (acesso em 30 de maio de 2012).pdf: 1114687 bytes, checksum: d07798183f9b18a8424e57965c5bc73c (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira([email protected]) on 2012-07-05T19:08:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcadores metálicos como avaliação do impacto crônico de emissões petroquímicas em zona urbana (acesso em 30 de maio de 2012).pdf: 1114687 bytes, checksum: d07798183f9b18a8424e57965c5bc73c (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-05T19:08:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcadores metálicos como avaliação do impacto crônico de emissões petroquímicas em zona urbana (acesso em 30 de maio de 2012).pdf: 1114687 bytes, checksum: d07798183f9b18a8424e57965c5bc73c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010Nickel and vanadium were tested as tracers of oil refinery emission distribution in populated area of Rio GrandeRS. The anomalies of these elements in surface soil are considered a long-term reflection of the emissions in low atmosphere. The spatial distribution of Ni and V in the soil corresponded to the pattern of local winds. The threshold of 1.5 backgrounds of these metals markedly outlined the area of petrochemical emissions. Anomalies of Ni and V in surface soil have a rather different configuration in comparison with other metal tracers of urban impact: Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn

Calcareous algae bioclast contribution to sediment enrichment by arsenic on the Brazilian subtropical coast

Arsenic levels (up to 130 mg kg−1) substantially exceeding the official threshold have recently been documented in beach and nearshore sediments along more than 50 km of coastline in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo between 19°50′ and 20°12′S. In an attempt to assess the sources of this enrichment, we performed a study on arsenic distribution in the main mineral substances and living organisms in the beach environment. Laboratory tests on arsenic retention by beach carbonate debris have also been carried out. The data suggest that sedimentary arsenic occurs largely bound to particles of the calcareous red alga Corallina panizzoi, whereby live specimens contained much smaller amounts of this metalloid than was the case for nonliving material (2.4 and 20.3 mg kg−1,respectively). Experimental tests confirmed the ability of C. panizzoi detritus to retain arsenic at pH intervals and ionic strength characteristic of seawater. There are two potential sources of that metalloid for calcareous debris in sediments: brown macroalgae, which were found to contain high levels of As (up to 66.3 mg kg−1), and ferruginized sandstones (up to 23.0 mg kg−1). We argue that any contribution of brown algae to beach sediment enrichment by As would be minor,and consider the ferrous sandstones from coastal sedimentary rocks of the Barreiras Group as the principal largescale source of arsenic in the marine environment of Espírito Santo. The experimental data, together with field studies, corroborate the interpretation that arsenic anomalies in sediments with calcareous debris can form when weathered continental rocks even only slightly enriched in As are leached by marine waters, and the As is at least partially retained by biogenic calcareous detritus in nearshore sediments. Considering that rocks of the Barreiras Group are exposed to marine erosion far to the north of Espírito Santo, we estimate that marine sediments containing calcareous material are “anomalously” enriched in As along approximately 2,000 km of the Brazilian tropical coastline