The effect of emissions of fertilizer production on the environment contamination by cadmium and arsenic in southern Brazil.
The distribution of cadmium and arsenic in rainwater, surface soil and groundwater in a zone of influence of emissions of a phosphate fertilizer factory has been investigated. The analysis of rainwater along a wind line shows that cadmium in the soluble form precipitates close to emission source, whereas arsenic migrates further and also in the soluble form precipitates at a greater distance. The pH controls the distribution of cadmium and arsenic in rain and groundwater. Concentration of soluble cadmium along the impact line increases with reduction of pH and arsenic, contrary to the increase of pH. Concentrations of cadmium and arsenic in surface soil correlate well among themselves near to emission point. In a zone of confluence of emissions with sea air at a distance from the factory there is sedimentation of arsenic on a geochemical barrier and formation of a separate anomaly in soil.
Mirlean
Nicolai
N
Department of Geosciences, FURG, Av. Italia, km-08, Campus Carreiros, 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. nmirlean@log.furg.br
Roisenberg
Ari
A
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D001938:Brazil; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005308:Fertilizers; D011891:Rain; D045483:Rivers; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
D000393:Air Pollutants; D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D014867:Water; D001151:Arsenic