Mercury contamination of sediments from the Santos-São Vicente Estuary in 2017 Aline Raquel Gomes Guerra, Priscila da Silva Fuentes, Olivia Cristina Camilo Menossi

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Santos-São Vicente estuary, aiming to determine the degree of mercury contamination in the sediment, and thus contribute to the evaluation of the areas where the contamination is at a higher level. sediments are part of the report on the quality of the coastal waters of the State of São Paulo in the year 2017. A total of 9 collection points were selected, three in each of the main channels composing the estuary: Piaçaguera, São Vicente and Santos. The results indicate that as the sampling points move away from the industrial and port hub there is a reduction in Hg concentration and, consequently, the level of contamination. The distribution of mercury in sediments in the Santos-São Vicente Estuary between 1970 and 2009 indicated that the Cubatão River Bay and the Piaçaguera Canal are the areas most affected by mercury over the years. This is due to the anthropic contribution to the enrichment of the metal in the region.