Hazardous metal pollution in a protected coastal area from Northern Patagonia (Argentina)
- Marinho, Carmen Haydee
- Giarratano, Erica
- Esteves, Jose Luis
- Narvarte, Maite Andrea
- Gil, Monica Noemi
DOIAbstract
The San Antonio Bay is a protected natural coastal area of Argentina that has been exposed to mining wastes over the last three decades. Iron and trace metals of potential concern to biota and human health (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) were investigated in the sediments from the bay and in the soils of the Pile (mining wastes). Concentrations of Cd (45 mg kg−1), Pb (42,853 mg kg−1), Cu (24,505 mg kg−1), and Zn (28,686 mg kg−1) in the soils Pile exceeded guidelines for agricultural, residential, and industrial land uses. Risk assessment due to exposure to contaminated soils (Pile) was performed. Hazard quotients were superior to non-risk (HQ >1) for all trace metals, while accumulative hazard quotient index indicated a high risk for children (HI = 93...
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