Avaliação de metais traço e de algumas características geoquímicas em sedimentos superficiais e testemunhos da Baía de Vitória, ES

Abstract

The estuaries are transitional environments between land and ocean, where human activities are intensively developed. The Estuarine System of Grande Vitória presents itself associated with urban areas and basins, predominantly agricultural and industrial activities, with various problems related to pollution and environmental contamination. The main objective of this study was to evaluate sediment samples collected in the estuarine system of Vitória Bay in the concentrations of trace metals and some geochemical characteristics. The variables were the contents of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn in surface sediment samples and sediment cores. There were two sampling campaigns, with 6 points for sampling surface sediments. For the sediment cores, just a campaign was conducted, and these were sampled in the middle of the channel of Victoria Bay through the technical of diving with sampler PVC pipe. All samples were centrifuged, dried and homogenized for subsequent digestion and metal analysis. The sediments were sieved for the fraction <63 ? m obtained. For the opening of the samples we used a method adapted from USEPA 3050B. Analyses of metals were performed by GF-AAS and F-AAS, and certified by the reference material Mess-3. We also determined the levels of volatile organic matter (calcination at 550 ° C). Analysis of x-ray diffraction and radiometric dating with 210Pb were also performed in order to characterize the main minerals forming the sediment, and identify the sedimentation rate present in the Vitoria Bay. It was possible to classify the sediments as level 1 (low probability of effect on biota), except for arsenic, which is located between levels 1 and 2 (level 2 - probable adverse effect on biota), according the CONAMA 344. The testimony also showed levels of metals below the values permitted by law, and it was possible to observe a decrease in concentration of some metals and organic matter with depth. The main minerals identified in the samples were kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite, hematite, quartz and rutile. The sedimentation rate was calculated at 1.7 cm / year, and it was possible to correlate high levels of metals at times of creating districts of Grande Vitória