Heavy metal contamination in coastal sediments and soils near the Brazilian Antarctic Station, King George Island

This paper investigates the natural and anthropogenic processes controlling sediment chemistry in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, emphasizing the area affected by the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (Ferraz). Total and bioavailable concentrations of sixteen elements were...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Schaefer, Carlos E.G.R., Albuquerque-Filho, Manoel R., Santos, Isaac R., Silva-Filho, Emmanoel V., Campos, Lúcia S.
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2005
País:Brasil
Recursos:Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)
Repositorio:LOCUS Repositório Institucional da UFV
Idioma:portugués
OAI Identifier:oai:locus.ufv.br:123456789/21663
Acesso em linha:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.10.009
http://www.locus.ufv.br/handle/123456789/21663
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Antarctica
Pollution
Trace metals
Coastal environment
Bulk fraction
Ferraz Station
Descrição
Resumo:This paper investigates the natural and anthropogenic processes controlling sediment chemistry in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, emphasizing the area affected by the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (Ferraz). Total and bioavailable concentrations of sixteen elements were determined in 32 sediment and 14 soils samples. Factor analysis allowed us to distinguish three groups of samples: (1) Ferraz sediments, with higher content of total trace metals and organic matter; (2) control sediments, with intermediate characteristics; (3) Ferraz soils, with higher bioavailability of most metals due to its oxidizing condition and low organic matter content. Major elements such as Fe, Al, Ca and Ti presented similar levels in all three groups. Enrichment factor calculations showed that paints, sewage and petroleum contamination enhanced metal concentrations in Ferraz surface sediments as follows: B, Mo, and Pb (>90%); V and Zn (70–80%); Ni, Cu, Mg, and Mn (30–40%). Despite evidence of contamination in these sediments, the low bioavailability, probably caused by iron-sulfide, indicates small environmental risks.