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Seasonal AVS–SEM relationship in sediments and potential bioavailability of metals in industrialized estuary, southeastern Brazil

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Abstract

In anoxic sediments, as those found in estuaries, the mobility of metals can be controlled by the formation of stable sulfide complexes. The potential bioavailability of a metal can then be predicted on the basis of the acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) criterion. Distributions of AVS and SEM (Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni) along the sediment profiles were determined seasonally for three rivers that constitute the Santos-Cubatão estuarine system (SE Brazil), which is located in one of the most industrialized areas of Latin America. AVS and SEM concentrations varied significantly, from 0.04 to 31.9 μmol g−1 and 0.086–6.659 μmol g−1, respectively. The highest AVS levels in sediments were detected in the winter, whereas high SEM values predominated in the summer. Considering SEM–AVS molar differences as a parameter to evaluate potential bioavailability, sediments nearest to the industrial area represent higher risk to biota, especially during the summer. It is due to relatively low AVS values and not necessarily high concentrations of metals.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for financial support (processes no 04/00059-6 and 08/11511-8) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for providing scholarships to the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geosciences, University of Campinas, P.O. Box 6152, Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil

    Erico Casare Nizoli & Wanilson Luiz-Silva

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  1. Erico Casare Nizoli
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  2. Wanilson Luiz-Silva
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Correspondence to Erico Casare Nizoli.

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Nizoli, E.C., Luiz-Silva, W. Seasonal AVS–SEM relationship in sediments and potential bioavailability of metals in industrialized estuary, southeastern Brazil. Environ Geochem Health 34, 263–272 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-011-9430-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-011-9430-2

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