Land use impact on potentially toxic metals concentration on surface water and resistant microorganisms in watersheds

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2018-12, Vol.166, p.366-374
• Main Authors: Saran, Luciana Maria, Pissarra, Teresa Cristina Tarlé, Silveira, Géssica Aparecida, Constancio, Milena Tavares Lima, de Melo, Wanderley José, Alves, Lúcia Maria Carareto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural management; Agriculture; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bioremediation; Cadmium - analysis; Chromium - analysis; Copper - analysis; Environmental degradation; Environmental Monitoring; Heavy metals; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Nickel - analysis; Soil and water resources; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Trace elements; Trace Elements - analysis; Water Microbiology; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Zinc - analysis
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.09.093

Soil and water resources must be conserved and protected. However, the management of production activities causes a change in the quality of these natural resources due to accumulation in soil of potentially toxic metals. The objective of the present study was to identify the variety and paths of potentially toxic metals (PTMs), such as cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, nickel and zinc, which are associated spatially and temporally to soil and water. We also intended to isolate bacteria resistant to PTMs with important characteristics to be used in bioremediation processes. Water samples were collected every two months for one year (February–December/2014) at eight sites (P1–P8) and the soil samples were collected twice (February and August/2014) from twelve sites (S1–S12). Results indicated that agricultural land use impacts the environment, increasing the concentration of potentially toxic metals, mainly copper, zinc and chromium, in soil and water due to crop management. Ten bacteria resistant to all the metals studied were isolated, which could be used as tools for bioremediation of contaminated soils and water with those metals. The results would positively contribute to land use policy, and for the development of enhanced agricultural practices. [Display omitted] •Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination of soil and water was studied.•Agricultural land use promotes accumulation of Cr, Cu and Zn in soil.•Agricultural land use increases Cr, Cu and Zn concentrations in the water streams.•Ten bacteria resistant to all metals studied were isolated.•The isolated bacteria multiresistant can contribute to bioremediation processes.