Hydrogeochemical investigations by the use of a technical-scientific approach in the Fazenda de Itaqui drainage basin situated in the influence area of glazed ceramics industries of Santa Gertrudes, Brazil - initial results

摘要

The investigated area, situated in Fazenda de Itaqui drainage basin, Santa Gertrudes, Brazil, had received rich-lead glaze and pigment / coloring industrial effluents and sludge, which were inadequately disposed in this basin. A technical-scientific research project has been developed, including the sampling and examination of soil, sediments, groundwater, surface water, rainwater and industrial materials, as well as hy-drogeological and geophysical investigations. These studies have been carried out as much in the impacted area as in a reference area ("background"), situated out of influence of the industrial activities. Initial analysis in impacted areas have showed that lead is a contaminant in soil and sediments (150-14,700 mg.kg~(-1)). in water samples, it has been detected in very heterogeneous concentrations in monitoring wells (30-2,000 μg.L~(-1)) and rainwater (20-1,500 μg.L~(-1)), but in low concentrations in superficial water samples of lakes, ponds and streams (generally < 10 μg.L~(-1)). Some experiments have been done to study the behavior of mainly lead and their results show that lead tends to be fixed by the soil and sediments. On the other hand, boron tends to be present in high concentration in all environments, mainly in water samples (up to 504 mg.L~(-1) in groundwater and 125 mg.L~(-1) in superficial water). Other metals, such as zinc, chromium, nickel, copper and zirconium, are occasionally present as contaminants, mainly in soil and sediments. These studies are in progress and will be detailed during next research stages.