Spatial distribution and enrichment assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from Baixada Santista, Southeastern Brazil

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2016-02, Vol.103 (1-2), p.333-338
• Main Authors: Kim, Bianca Sung Mi, Salaroli, Alexandre Barbosa, Ferreira, Paulo Alves de Lima, Sartoretto, Juliê Rosemberg, Mahiques, Michel Michaelovich de, Figueira, Rubens Cesar Lopes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aluminum; arsenic; atomic absorption spectrometry; Brackish; Brazil; cadmium; chromium; copper; Enrichment factor; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Estuaries; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; guidelines; heavy metals; Humans; ICP-OES; international trade; iron; lead; manganese; Marine; Metals, Heavy - analysis; nickel; Pollution assessment; Santos São Vicente Estuary; Santos São Vicente Estuary; sediments; urbanization; vanadium; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; water pollution; weathering; wet digestion method; zinc
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.041

The Baixada Santista, besides being an important estuarine system, is responsible for most of the international trade and economic development in the region because of the Santos Port and the Cubatão Industrial Complex. The aim of this study is to assess heavy metal contamination of the Santos São Vicente Estuary using enrichment factors (EFs) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Thus, superficial sediment samples were subjected to acid digestion and analyzed (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sc, V, and Zn) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results indicated an absence of contamination, with the EFs indicating moderate enrichment. As and Pb presented higher enrichment probably due to the natural processes of weathering and sedimentation, and the influence of human activity. This conjoint analysis showed that potentially polluting activities are of concern as the highest values converge near the Cubatão Industrial Complex, which correspond to intense urbanization and industrial activity. •Heavy metal contamination is not a concern in Baixada Santista.•There is a significant enrichment of arsenic at Bertioga City.•Highest values converge near Cubatão Industrial Complex.