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Carbon influence on metal distribution in sediment of Amazonian macrotidal estuaries of northeastern Brazil

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Abstract

The present work aims to observe the spatial distribution of metals associated with carbon forms (fraction < 2 mm) in surface sediments of two macrotidal estuaries, São Marcos Bay and Anil River Estuary, which are located within the transition region between the Amazonian and the semi-arid northeast regions. Grain size, metal content (Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Ni), organic matter, and calcium carbonate content were determined. Grain size analyses showed the predominance of the sand-sized fraction < 2 mm due to the local hydrodynamic conditions. Anil River Estuary sediments exhibited high organic matter content due to both the mangrove outwelling and domestic sewage discharge. They also presented high calcium carbonate content as a result of abundant remnants of gastropod shells. Organic matter acted as the primary geochemical carrier for most metals in both estuaries, while calcium carbonate acted as the secondary carrier. Enrichment factors indicated Mn sediment contamination in São Marcos Bay and Fe, Pb, and Zn contamination in the Anil River Estuary. These results also suggest that São Marcos Bay is influenced by harbor activities, mostly ore shipment, whereas Anil River Estuary sediments are enriched in these metals as a result of domestic and hospital effluents reaching the urbanized drainage basin.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Dr. S.A. Eschrique (Federal University of Maranhão) and all of the members of the Coastal Biogeochemistry Laboratory (Federal University of Ceará/LABOMAR) for technical support in the field and laboratory work during this research. We are extremely grateful to Prof. Dr. Luiz Drude de Lacerda for valuable comments and suggestions.

Funding

This study received financial support from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão, Brazil (FAPEMA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966, Vila Bacanga, São Luís, MA, 65080-805, Brazil

    Thays Thayanne Luz Santos

  2. Marine Science Institute/LABOMAR, Federal University of Ceará, Av. da Abolição, 3207, Meireles, Fortaleza, CE, 60165-081, Brazil

    Thays Thayanne Luz Santos & Rozane Valente Marins

  3. Marine Science Institute/ICMar, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966, Vila Bacanga, São Luís, MA, 65080-805, Brazil

    Francisco José da Silva Dias

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  1. Thays Thayanne Luz Santos
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Santos, T.T.L., Marins, R.V. & da Silva Dias, F.J. Carbon influence on metal distribution in sediment of Amazonian macrotidal estuaries of northeastern Brazil. Environ Monit Assess 191, 552 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7626-6

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