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Efeitos da urbanização no sistema fluvial: contaminação do sedimento do leito e da água na bacia do rio Pitimbu, Natal, nordeste do Brasil

2016; Volume: 13; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.21168/rega.v13n2.p198-208

2359-1919

Lúcio Flávio Ferreira Moreira, A. M. S. Oliveira, Renata Conceição Pimentel de Lima, K.S. Oliveira,

Water Quality and Pollution Assessment

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of land use on bed sediment and water contamination in the Pitimbu River watershed.It is a watershed in the process of urbanization, responsible for part of the city of Natal water supply.For this purpose, Lead, Iron, Aluminium, Nickel, Zinc, Manganese, Cadmium and Copper water and bed sediment metal concentrations were determined for eight transverse sections along the river length.Samples were collected during the river recession period (November/2011), and analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FLAA).Obtained results demonstrate that maximum sediment metal concentrations for Lead (1,100 mg/kg) and Iron (38,750 mg/kg) were caused by the traffic of motor vehicles.For water, obtained data reveal increasing Aluminium and Iron metal concentrations as the river drains the urban area, with maximum values attaining 0.55 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L respectively.These values contradict the environmental guidelines established by CONAMA 357/2005 Brazilian Statement for water bodies primarily used for human supply.