Assessment of some potentially toxic elements on a watershed-scale through an integrated chemical and biological monitoring framework in the Caatinga-Atlantic Forest ecotone, Northeast Brazil

Abstract

The concern for water quality is a critical issue in many countries around the world. The monitoring of water resources should be implemented to ensure water management, especially when dealing with already impacted systems. Urbanization is an impactful type of activity that contributes to the release of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into the ecosystems. The identification of plant species with the ability to tolerate high levels of contaminants could be an alternative to remove contaminants from these environments and to evaluate the plants as bioindicators. The objective of this study was to assess the surface water and sediment quality of the Verruga River and test the aquatic macrophytes’ potential as biomonitors of some PTEs: Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Ten sampling points were included in the study, ranging from the source to the mouth of the river. Samples of surface water, sediments, and macrophytes were collected. In situ and laboratory analyses were performed. Direct readings of PTEs in surface water, extracts from plants and sediments were performed using ICP-OES. Quality reference guides were used. The mobility of the elements can be better visualized by the correlations between the parameters of the sediments than of the water. Concentration of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in surface water, sediments and aquatic plants reached different levels and some parameters exceeded guidelines on environmental quality. The species Heteranthera reniformis and Eichhornia crassipes are promising macrophytes for studies on biomonitoring of PTEs in the aquatic environment of the Verruga River. Graphic Abstract

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