Land use impact on mercury in sediments and macrophytes from a natural lake in the Brazilian savanna.

Freshwater ecosystems are essential to human and wildlife survival. They harbor a wide biodiversity that contributes to ecosystem services. In the ecosystem of the Brazilian Savanna, anthropic activities related to environmental pollution that includes mercury (Hg) is of concern. We studied total mercury concentrations ([THg]) in bottom sediments and macrophytes to assess its short-term (2012 and 2019) impact on a natural lake. Temporal changes in [Hg] were assessed with the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and the sediment quality guidelines (SQG). The land use index (LUI) was used to assess differences in anthropogenic activities and the Normalized Difference Aquatic Vegetation Index (NDAVI) was used to assess macrophyte biomass density. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was used to assess Hg accumulation in macrophytes relative to sediments. The LUI showed an increase in the intensity of agricultural activities in the vicinities of the lake. The NDAVI indicated an increase in the density of macrophytes in the evaluated period. The Igeo indicated that in all sampling sites, pollution levels in sediments increased in 2019 (Igeo > 0), with concentrations exceeding the SQG in 2019. In 2012, [THg] in sediments ranged from 20.7 to 74.6 ng g-1, and in 2019 they ranged from 129.1 to 318.2 ng g-1. In macrophytes, [THg] ranged from 14.0 to 42.1 ng g-1 in 2012, to 53.0 and 175.3 ng g-1 in 2019. [THg] in bottom sediments and macrophytes were significantly higher in the second collection period (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in BAF values between the periods and no significant bioaccumulation in macrophytes (BAF <1). Our results demonstrated that the macrophytes are not sensitive indicators of Hg pollution in lentic environments of the Brazilian Savanna; however, the increased land use intensity (agriculture, automotive traffic, and urban infrastructure) could increase Hg accumulation in sediments and macrophytes in a short time interval.

Evaluation of Total Mercury in Sediments of the Descoberto River Environmental Protection Area-Brazil.

To evaluate the total mercury accumulation (THg) in the Descoberto river basin environmental protection area (DREPA), nine sediment and water samples were collected from the Descoberto reservoir (lentic environment), and 23 in its tributaries (lotic environment), which are located in a densely urbanized area within the Descoberto river watershed, Brazil. The following physicochemical parameters of water were determined: dissolved oxygen (DO); hydrogen potential (pH); total dissolved solids (TDS); nitrate (NO3-); chloride (Cl-); temperature (T); sulfate (SO42-), and in sediment, the concentration of total mercury (THg) and volatile material (VM) was determined. THg concentrations in sediments showed a significant difference (p = 0.002) between tributaries (0.03 µg g-1 ± 0.02) and reservoir (0.08 µg g-1 ± 0.04), indicating accumulation in the lentic environment. Most of the results evaluated for ecotoxicological risks presented values below the concentration, at which adverse effects would rarely be observed, ERL (effects range low). However, in relation to the enrichment factor (EF), applied to identify the anthropogenic contribution, the results indicate that most of the samples are moderately polluted through atmospheric deposition due to vehicular traffic and agriculture. These results show that the likelihood of methylation in the lentic environment is higher than in the lotic environment.