Heavy metals in six Brazilian watersheds: Levels of contamination in the state of São Paulo

The levels of Cd, Pb, and Hg were determined in bed sediments and suspended particulate material collected in six Brazilian watersheds (Alto Paranapanema, Peixe, Aguapeí, São José dos Dourados, Mogi-Gauçu, and Piracicaba) in the State of São Paulo (Southeast, Brazil), bimonthly from January to December, 2001. The levels of Cd and Pb in total and exchangeable fraction of the sediment were determined in the fraction lower than 63 $\mu$ by GFAAS. Cd and Pb in suspended particulate material were determined in the fraction lower than 0.45 $\mu$m by GFAAS. The levels of Hg were determined by AFS. The levels of metals did not show temporal variability. Pb concentrations were low in all basins. Exchangeable Pb did not represent a significant fraction of the sediment. Cd concentrations were higher in the Piracicaba River basin, as a result from anthropogenic activities in the basin, such as industrial and domestic effluents damped in the river. Exchangeable Cd was up to 60% of the total Cd in the sediments. Hg concentrations were higher in the Peixe basin. All metals analyzed did not show high values, but the sources of Cd to the Piracicaba River and Hg to the Peixe River have to be evaluated

Heavy metals in tropical small catchments in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: A first step towards the establishment of regional “background” levels

Concentration of metal (Al, Fe, Mn, Ci, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, V, and Hg) were evaluated in six rivers located in pristine small catchments in the State of São Paulo (Southeast, Brazil). This is a first step in order to determine regional “background” levels of heavy metals in the area. Intervales and Morro do Diabo reserves are characterized by the presence of tropical forest (Mata Atlântica), and Vassununga reserve, is a region of Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado). The rivers that have similar vegetation and soils showed a relative homogeneity in the metal concentrations. Although all these rivers drain undisturbed areas, we found a great variation in metal concentrations among these areas (18-65% ). This variability probably reflex differences in geology, vegetation, precipitation, and altilude that occur in these watersheds. We conclude that to assess heavy metal contamination the use of regional background values is necessary. Otherwise two land of error could happen: first, a rise in metal levels could not be notice (because the use of inappropriate high average values that do not reflect the local characteristics) or a natural variation could be interpreted as a contamination

Impact Of Anthropogenic Activity On The Hg Concentrations In The Piracicaba River Basin (são Paulo State, Brazil)

A sampling and analysis program has been completed between 1995 and 1998 in order to determine mercury concentrations in water, sediments, soils and fish in the Piracicaba river basin, one of the most populated and industrialized regions in Brazil. In sediment, the average Hg concentrations varied between 33 ± 17 ng g-1 and 106 ± 78 ng g-1, in samples collected during the rainy and dry season, respectively. The same averages were also found for soil samples (35 ± 14 and 109 ± 61 ng g -1). In water, the total Hg concentration varied between < 1.1 and 24.0 ng L-1. In piscivore fish, up to 943 μ g Hg kg-1 was found. Our results show that all compartments undergo Hg contamination, in view of the levels found in pristine environments. Water contamination seems to be due mainly to diffuse processes of soil erosion and suspension of river bed sediment during the rainy season. 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