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1 – 2 of 2Andreza Portella Ribeiro, Ana Maria Graciano Figueiredo, José Osman dos Santos, Elizabeth Sonoda Keiko Dantas, Marycel Elena Barboza Cotrim, Paulo Alves de Lima Ferreira, Elvis Joacir de França, Gustavo Silveira Graudenz, Michel Michaelovitch de Mahiques, Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira and Julio Cesar de Faria Alvim Wasserman
– The purpose of this paper is to validate and apply enrichment diagrams (EDs) to determine metal and as enrichment and contamination in the sediments of Sepetiba Bay.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to validate and apply enrichment diagrams (EDs) to determine metal and as enrichment and contamination in the sediments of Sepetiba Bay.
Design/methodology/approach
Through inducted coupled plasma – optical emission spectrophotometry, total element (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations were assessed for the construction of EDs and comparison with enrichment factors (EFs) in 65 samples collected in Sepetiba Bay.
Findings
Based on the EDs, it was observed that the sediments around the urban area of Sepetiba and ItaguaíHarbor were contaminated with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. These contaminants were expected due to the urban and industrial discharges into the bay and the activities at ItaguaíHarbor.
Originality/value
The ED was successful regarding its ability to evaluate inorganic contamination in Sepetiba Bay. In addition, this method was able to define a proper background sample for calculating EFs.
Details
Keywords
Andreza Portella Ribeiro, Ana Maria Graciano Figueiredo, José Osman dos Santos, Paulo Alves de Lima Ferreira, Gustavo Silveira Graudenz, Mauro Silva Ruiz, Michel Michaelovitch de Mahiques, Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira and Julio Cesar de Faria Alvim Wasserman
The purpose of this paper is to address the case of toxic metal contamination of Sepetiba Bay caused by the Ingá Company. The paper reviews the history of the contamination and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the case of toxic metal contamination of Sepetiba Bay caused by the Ingá Company. The paper reviews the history of the contamination and discusses the current presence of metals in the bay sediments, demonstrating that the toxic metals are clearly enriched. Sepetiba Bay is prone to significant dredging activities that make metals available in the food chain, affecting human populations, mainly fishermen communities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study presents the case of the Ingá Company based on international literature and data provided by previous studies.
Findings
Through the analysis and compilation of diverse data from the literature, this study demonstrates that the Ingá Company is a major source of Cd, Pb and Zn due to its calamine processing activities used to obtain high purity Zn.
Originality/value
This study highlights important research to complete the historical scenario of heavy metal contamination of the Sepetiba Bay by Ingá Company. The results indicate that the contaminants from the Ingá Company can indeed be traced in the sediments of Sepetiba Bay. These data have the utmost value for the environmental management of this coastal system, because such high concentrations of toxic metals in marine sediments have serious implications for the environmental quality of the bay and may negatively affect biota and human health. Therefore, this study suggests that it is now necessary to monitor this region for contamination continuously.
Details