Abstract
The Três Marias Reservoir is the ninth largest reservoir in Brazil, becoming crucial for national strategic development. However, many anthropic activities may affect the sediment quality, promoting the need for a proper environmental assessment. This research appraised the seasonal influences on the Três Marias Reservoir's sediment geochemistry, elucidating possible anthropogenic impacts. The concentrations of Mg, Al, Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Cd, Ti, Mn, Ni, Zn, Ba, and Pb were measured in 78 samples of bottom sediments regarding the two seasons of the area, a dry winter and rainy summer. The median ± 2 median absolute deviation (MAD) settled the geochemical background and environmental thresholds for the two seasons. The sediment quality guidelines CONAMA 344/12 highlight the possible adverse ecological effects of pollutants. The hierarchical clustering analysis, the geoaccumulation index, and the pollution load index delineated the polluted zones. The pollution load index ranges from 0.25 to 2.28 in the dry season and 0.56 to 2.11 in the rainy season, defining three affected zones in the reservoir. Forestry and agriculture are the probable pollution sources, reaching warning levels that should be considered in further environmental strategies.
Highlights
The evaluation and monitoring of Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs) are fundamental in terms of environmental sustainability and human health safety (Srikanth et al 2014)
The Três Marias Reservoir is the ninth-largest reservoir in Brazil, and it delimitates the segment between the Upper and Medium São Francisco River (Euclydes et al 2001)
The Pollution Load Index (PLI) assessment summarized the role of the PTEs in the Três Marias Reservoir, indicating three more susceptible zones that should be better managed
Summary
The evaluation and monitoring of Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs) are fundamental in terms of environmental sustainability and human health safety (Srikanth et al 2014). It is important to highlight that trace element inputs to sediments can originate from geogenic sources (weathering, surface runoff, atmospheric deposition) and anthropic sources as agriculture and industrial and domestic discharges (Srikanth et al 2014). In this context, the geochemistry of sediments based on quantitative, spatial, and seasonal assessment is necessary to define trace elements' role in the environment (Bouezmarni and Wollast 2005). The Três Marias Reservoir is the ninth-largest reservoir in Brazil, and it delimitates the segment between the Upper and Medium São Francisco River (Euclydes et al 2001)
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