Elementos-traço em águas, sedimentos e solos da Bacia do Rio das Mortes, Minas Gerais

Abstract

The Rio das Mortes basin is a region of Minas Gerais State characterized by several mining, metallurgical activities, industrialization and leather processing. The aim of this study was to determine the contents of trace elements in floodplain soils and in river-bottom sediments and also to identify sites contaminated by trace elements. Waters, river-bottom sediments, and soils in floodplains were sampled at 80 sites in the Rio das Mortes Basin, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for the determination of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, and Zn contents.The results showed that in this basin agriculture is not a relevant source of trace element contamination. However, a major influence of urban centers, industrial or otherwise, is verified regarding trace elements contamination. Contamination in floodplain soils was detected at several municipalities: by Pb (in Dores de Campos and in Prados), Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Mn (in Nazareno and in São Tiago), Cr and Ni (in São João Del Rei), and Cu (in Barbacena).