Research article

Determination of the concentration of heavy metals in waters from lower São Francisco River basin, Brazil

^*1Souza AM, ²Mendes MAS, ¹Melo JFB, ¹Felix WP, ¹Belém CS and ³Ramos PN

¹Laboratório de Aquicultura e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, BR 407, Km 12, Lote 543, Distrito de Irrigação Senador Nilo Coelho, 56300-990, Petrolina,PE, Brasil.

²Laboratório de Solos, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária-EMBRAPA, BR 428, Km 152, 56302-970, Petrolina,PE, Brasil.

³Departamento de Pós-Graduação em Gestão de Recursos Humanos nas Organizações, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas e Sociais-FACAPE, Campus Universitário, S/N - Vila Eduardo, 56328-903 Petrolina,PE, Brasil.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: anderson_zootecnia@yahoo.com.br

Accepted 11 May 2015

Abstract

In this study we determined the concentration of metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the water lower São Francisco River basin, to evaluate the influence of urbanization and industrialization on environmental changes in the water resource. The sampling stations located near the industrial areas were influenced by industrialization because they presented higher concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Cu. The other sampled locations showed changes with regard to metals probably originating in the soil, like Fe, Zn and Pb. There was a gradual increase in the concentrations of metals, in general, in the period of highest rainfall of the hydrographic network. Overall, except for Zn and Mn, the trace elements exceeded the maximum allowed value established by national legislation (CONAMA). Lower São Francisco River basin has suffered interference from urbanization and industrialization, so awareness programs should be developed so as to control and lessen future problems.

Keywords: elements, industrialization, urbanization, environment