A recent study carried out by the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos) analyzed water and sediment samples collected after the flood that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul, between April and May this year, and revealed the presence of metals such as cadmium, chromium , copper and nickel at levels higher than those permitted by law in several parts of the Rio dos Sinos Basin, especially in urban areas of the city of São Leopoldo, in the Campina and Santos Dumont neighborhoods.
On the 1st and 2nd of July, teams of students and teachers from the Polytechnic School went out into the field to carry out collections in various parts of the basin, from Taquara to Canoas.
In total, 11 surface water and 13 sediment samples were collected.
The collections focused on peri-urban and urban areas affected by the flood, with the aim of identifying possible biochemical contaminants, such as heavy metals and microorganisms, harmful to public health.
The research, which included the participation of students and teachers from the Polytechnic School, also detected the presence of mercury in all sediment samples, although at concentrations below the legal limit.
The highest mercury levels were recorded in the Vicentina and Scharlau neighborhoods, also in São Leopoldo.
However, the levels found exceed quality reference values for soils in the region, indicating a risk of metal accumulation in future floods.
In addition to metal contamination, microbiological analyzes revealed the presence of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, aerobic mesophiles and total coliforms in 100% of the sediment samples, indicating the possibility of contamination by sewage or organic waste.
Although there is no specific legislation that determines the acceptable limits of these microorganisms in soil, these levels may be an indication of contamination by sewage or organic waste that was brought by flood waters.
The presence of heavy metals and bacteria at high levels in the basin’s sediments represents a serious risk to public health and the environment.
Contamination can affect the quality of water used for human consumption and irrigation, in addition to contaminating the soil and local fauna.
Given the results, the researchers reinforce the need for continuous monitoring of sediments and water in the Rio dos Sinos Basin, especially in urban areas impacted by the flood.
The accumulation of metals and bacteriological contamination can pose risks to public health and the environment if they are not accompanied by preventive measures.
The research will continue in progress, with monitoring of the areas.
*Under the supervision of Bruno Laforé
This content was originally published in Bacteria and heavy metals are found in RS water after floods on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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