What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate the seasonal influence on concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Negro River waters.

March 26, 2026Scientific Reports0 citationsOpen Access

Distribution and seasonality of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the waters of the Negro river in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

EBElissandro Fonseca dos Banhos AAAdriano Nobre ArcosNational Institute of Amazonian Research RORafael Lopes e OliveiraUniversidade do Estado do Amazonas

Puntos clave

This research aims to investigate the seasonal influence on concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Negro River waters.
Conducted sampling at 60 sites along the Negro River in three different months: January 2023, September 2023, and March 2024.
Followed Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater for sampling, storage, and analyses.
Applied Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to evaluate patterns of PTE concentrations over the sampling periods.
Elevated mean concentrations of Aluminum (Al) and Phosphorus (P) were found, exceeding 1250 µg/L and 250 µg/L, respectively.
Distinct patterns in elemental concentrations were identified: higher Na, Mg, Ca, Al, P, Ti, Be, Cu in January; predominance of K, Rb, and Ba in September; and Li and Fe levels in March.
Contamination by PTEs is influenced by seasonality along with urbanization and proximity to agricultural and industrial areas.

Resumen

Population growth and urbanization have led to critical environmental challenges worldwide. Chemical pollutants, especially Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) such as Cd (Cadmium), Cu (Copper), Zn (Zinc), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (Manganese), as well as macroelements like P (Phosphorus), affect physicochemical and ecological parameters, posing risks to both human health and biodiversity. This study evaluates the influence of seasonality on the concentration of these PTEs in the waters of the Negro River, Manaus, Amazonas. Sampling was conducted at 60 sites along the river in January 2023, September 2023, and March 2024. Sampling, storage, and analyses followed the procedures established in the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Results revealed elevated mean Al and P concentrations (above 1250 µg/L and 250 µg/L, respectively), suggesting significant inputs of organic matter and surface urban pollution. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct patterns in January, higher levels of Na, Mg, Ca, Al, P, Ti, Be, and Cu; in September, predominance of K, Rb, and Ba; and in March, Li and Fe. Contamination by PTEs is multifactorial: although seasonality is a key driver, other factors, such as urbanization, proximity to agricultural areas, and industrial discharges, strongly modulate water quality.

Preguntar a la IA

Me gusta

Guardar

Ver artículo completo