Distribution of heavy metals in environmental samples near smelters and mining areas in brazil

摘要

The State of Minas Gerais possesses one of Brazil's important smelting resources. Aqatic contamination produced from mining activities and smelting of ores in the region may be harmful to the human population. However, no studies on levels of heavy metal have been carried out in the area. Thus, to assess the extent of pollution resulting from the metalliferous industry, river water, sediment, plant and fish samples were collected up- and down-river from the smelters and mining areas in Conselheiro Lafaiete and Ouro Branco and analysed to detect metal inputs.