Geochemical behavior of mercury (Hg) in mangroves soils from São Paulo State

Author(s)

Mara Lucia Jacinto Oliveira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2006-02-08

Examining board members

Pablo Vidal Torrado; Wilson de Figueiredo Jardim; Arquimedes Lavorenti

• Advisor: Pablo Vidal Torrado

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems at São Paulo State show a condition of environmental degradation, due to high density of population and presence of industrial and petrochemical poles. The disposal of urban, industrial and harbor wastes into water bodies result in indiscriminate accumulation of pollutants in estuarines soils. Mercury (Hg) constitutes one of the most dangerous pollutants for the ecological balance and human health, because of its high toxicity and potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification through the food chain. The current study aimed to: (a) determine total content of Hg in mangroves soils from Baixada Santista region (Cascalho, Mariana, Crumahú and Irirí rivers and COSIPA Channel) and Cardoso Island; (b) verify the effects of sample pre-treatments to determine Hg in mangrove soils; (c) analyze chemical parameters related to the geochemistry of Hg; (d) evaluate the distribution of total Hg in the most relevant fractions of mangroves soils using sequential extraction technique. An enrichment in total Hg was observed in the superficial layers of Baixada Santista and Cardoso Island soils, although there was no regular pattern of total Hg distribution at the studied profiles. Mangroves soils from Cascalho River and COSIPA Channel showed high Hg concentrations (5,65 mg.kg-1 e 1,64 mg.kg-1, respectively), characterizing highly polluted areas. Soil samples from Cubatão River, close to Cascalho River, showed total Hg values greater than the alert level established by CETESB. Due to the great data variability the effects of sample pre-treatment were analyzed by comparing the total Hg contents in fresh samples without previous drying and grinding treatments with samples dried by liofilization without later grinding; samples submitted to pre-drying treatments at 25°C and grinding, samples submitted to pre-drying treatments at 180°C and grinding. Since water content may vary from one sample to another, the establishment of total Hg content in fresh samples can be the main cause of results variability, in addition to the non-uniform distribution of root, organic matter and textural variations. The use of liofilized and ground samples may contribute to the analytical precision. Regarding Hg geochemistry, data obtained from Eh-pH correlation evidence that most samples are located in the elemental Hg stability field and, in a smaller proportion, in the HgS stability field, favoring elemental Hg formation and pyritization process. Sequential extraction data show that Hg is mainly associated to the pyritic fraction, followed by the most reactive fractions (soluble, exchangeable, carbonates, ferrihydrite and lepdocrocite fractions), and the fraction corresponding to crystalline iron oxides. (AU)