Degraded mangroves as sources of trace elements to aquatic environments

Author(s)

Queiroz, Hermano Melo ; Bragantini, Isadora Okuma Barbosa Ferraz ; Fandino, Veronica Asensio ; Bernardino, Angelo Fraga ; Barcellos, Diego ; Ferreira, Amanda Duim ; Gomes, Luiz Eduardo de Oliveira ; Ferreira, Tiago Osorio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 181, p. 9-pg., 2022-06-13.

Abstract

Mangrove forests have been reported as sinks for metals because of the immobilization of these elements in their soils. However, climate change may alter the functioning of these ecosystems. We aimed to assess the geochemical dynamics of Mn, Cu, and Zn in the soils of a mangrove forest dead by an extreme weather event in southeastern Brazil. Soil samples were collected from dead and live mangroves adjacent to each other. The physicochemical parameters (total organic carbon, redox potential, and pH), total metal content, particle size, and metal partitioning were determined. Distinct changes in the soil geochemical environment (establishment of suboxic conditions) and a considerable loss of fine particles was caused by the death of the mangroves. Our results also showed a loss of up to 93 % of metals from soil. This study highlights the paradoxical role of mangroves as potential metal sources in the face of climate change. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/00221-3 - From sinks to sources: vulnerability of mangrove soils as carbon sinks in the face of global climate change
• Grantee: Hermano Melo Queiroz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/14800-5 - Estuarine plants and their control in metals biogeochemistry in soils impacted by the `Mariana disaster´
• Grantee: Amanda Duim Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/02855-0 - Redox fluctuations, iron and heavy metals dynamics in soils from Rio Doce estuary after the "Mariana (MG) disaster": an experimental approach
• Grantee: Diego Barcellos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/19987-6 - Soils and plants of the Rio Doce estuary controlling the biogeochemistry of iron and metals in response to the Mariana (MG) disaster
• Grantee: Tiago Osório Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants