Avaliação da distribuição de espécies metálicas entre a fração dissolvida e particulada em águas superficiais do Rio Cará-Cará e Tibagi, Ponta Grossa, Paraná

Abstract

Water has a vital role in the survival of life. Many chemical species originating from these human activities have been found in higher concentrations in surface waters. Thus, it is important to conduct water quality monitoring studies, especially in areas that may be impacted by the influence of urban, agricultural, and industrial activities. In this sense, this work aimed to collect unprecedented data regarding the presence of metallic species (copper, chromium, and lead) in the surface waters of Cará-Cará and Tibagi rivers, Ponta Grossa, Paraná. To understand the behavior and effects of the presence of these elements in the river, some physicochemical parameters were also determined during the period of June 2019 and March 2020. Four sampling points were established along the Cará-Cará River and Tibagi River according to the majority of activities that took place around the river. Overall, total concentrations of the metal species ranged for Pb from 0.1 μg L -1 to 10.4 μg L -1 , for

Cr from 0.1 μg L -1 to 11.7 μg L -1 , and for Cu from 0.7 μg L -1 to 11.8 μg L -1 . Dissolved concentrations

ranged for Pb from 0.3 μg L-1

to 4.3 μg L-1

, for Cr from 0.1 μg L-1

to 1.5 μg L -1 , and for Cu from

0.2 μg L -1 to 2.2 μg L -1 . The distribution coefficient (KD) of metals between the dissolved and particulate fraction of the samples was determined and the log KD values ranged for Pb from 3.9 to 6.6, for Cr from 4.0 to 6.7, and for Cu from 3.3 to 7.2, generally indicating a higher affinity of the metal species for the particulate fraction. The experimental data were evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA) and it was observed interference of months with higher and lower rainfall concerning the dissolved and particulate fraction of metals. It was that, in general, the highest concentrations of the metal species were in the particulate fraction, especially in months in high rainfall.