Effects of illegal gold mining on Hg concentrations in water, Pistia stratiotes, suspended particulate matter, and bottom sediments of two impacted rivers (Paraiba do Sul River and Muriae River), Southeastern, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Recent reports of illegal small-scale alluvial gold mining activities (locally called garimpo) by miners working on rafts in the Paraíba do Sul River (PSR) and in one of its tributaries (Muriaé River (MR)) have raised concerns about Hg contamination. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of garimpo activities on Hg contamination in three environmental compartments. Water, sediment, and aquatic macrophytes (Pistia stratiotes) were sampled during the rainy season in PSR, forming a 106-km transect from the point where garimpo rafts were seen and/or seized by the Federal Police. They were also sampled in the MR. Total and dissolved mercury (Hg) concentrations in water and total Hg in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) sampled in the PSR increased by 1.7, 1.5, and 2.1 times at the points

SUBMITTER: Gomes PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9483332 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature