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Spatial-temporal dynamics and sources of total Hg in a hydroelectric reservoir in the Western Amazon, Brazil

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Abstract

Damming rivers to construct hydroelectric reservoirs results in a series of impacts on the biogeochemical Hg cycle. For example, modifying the hydrodynamics of a natural watercourse can result in the suspension and transport of Hg deposits in the water column, which represents an exposure risk for biota. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influences of seasonality on the dispersion of total Hg in the Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP)-Samuel Reservoir (Porto Velho/Brazil). Sampling campaigns were performed during the three following hydrological periods characteristic of the region: low (Oct/2011), ebbing (May/2012), and high (Feb/2013) water. Sediment profiles, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and aquatic macrophytes (Eicchornia crassipes and Oryza spp.) were collected, and their Hg concentrations and isotopic and elemental C and N signatures were determined. The drainage basin significantly influenced the SPM compositions during all the periods, with a small autochthonous influence from the reservoir during the low water. The highest SPM Hg concentrations inside the reservoir were observed during the high water period, suggesting that the hydrodynamics of this environment favor the suspension of fine SPM, which has a higher Hg adsorption capacity. The Hg concentrations in the sediment profiles were ten times lower than those in the SPM, indicating that large particles with low Hg concentrations were deposited to form the bottom sediment. Hg concentrations were higher in aquatic macrophyte roots than in their leaves and appeared to contribute to the formation of SPM during the low water period. In this environment, Hg transport mainly occurs in SPM from the Jamari River drainage basin, which is the primary source of Hg in this environment.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Wolfgang C. Pfeiffer Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry at Federal University of Rondonia (Laboratório Biogeoquímica Ambiental Wolfgang C. Pfeiffer da Universidade Federal de Rondônia) for assisting with field logistics and the Laboratory of Environmental Sciences of the State University of the North of Rio de Janeiro (Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, LCA, da Universidade Estadual Norte Fluminense, UENF) for conducting the carbon and nitrogen elemental and isotopic analyses and mercury analyses. C.M.M. Souza received financial support from the Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, FAPERJ; C-26/111.368/2012).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Darcy Ribeiro State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil

    I. A. Pestana, M. G. Almeida, C. E. Rezende & C. M. M. Souza

  2. Federal University of Rondônia (Universidade Federal de Rondônia), Porto Velho, RO, Brazil

    W. R. Bastos

  3. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    D. P. de Carvalho

Authors
  1. I. A. Pestana
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  2. W. R. Bastos
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  3. M. G. Almeida
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  4. D. P. de Carvalho
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  5. C. E. Rezende
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  6. C. M. M. Souza
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Correspondence to I. A. Pestana.

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Responsible editor: Céline Guéguen

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Pestana, I.A., Bastos, W.R., Almeida, M.G. et al. Spatial-temporal dynamics and sources of total Hg in a hydroelectric reservoir in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 9640–9648 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6185-4

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