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Updated: May 13, 2026
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
Geochemical and ecotoxicological assessment for estuarine surface sediments from Southern Brazil
Sarah K Rodrigues1, Denis M S Abessa, Eunice C Machado
1Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro São João Baptista s/n, centro, 24020-141 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEM/UFPR, Avenida Beira Mar s/n, Pontal do Sul, 83255-000 Pontal do Paraná, Brazil.
Abstract:
Sediments from Guaratuba Bay (PR, Brazil), a marine protected area, were collected and evaluated for geochemistry and toxicity. High levels of P and acute toxicity were observed in some samples. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were relatively low; however, Cd levels eventually exceeded Threshold Effect Level. Toxicities were associated to nutrients and metals enrichment. Results suggest that impacts are incipient and occur only at specific sites, associated to multiple contamination sources. Despite sediments quality seems to range between good and fair, attention is required to land-use planning around Guaratuba Bay and controlling local pollution sources.
