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Temporal and spatial metal contamination trends in the Estrela River Basin, Guanabara Bay, Brazil
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Temporal and spatial metal contamination trends in the Estrela River Basin, Guanabara Bay, Brazil

Breno Q.A. Rodrigues, João Barreira, Sarah K. Rodrigues, Jérémie Garnier, Myller S. Tonhá, Christian J. Sanders and Wilson Machado
Regional studies in marine science, Vol.95, pp.1-10
03/2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2026.104828
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Science and Engineering Publications

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Abstract

Environmental contamination Guanabara Bay Metals source Stable isotopes Trace metals
Since the 1960s, Guanabara Bay and its drainage basin have been experiencing significant environmental degradation and contamination, primarily due to population growth. This study focuses on temporal and spatial metal distribution (Al, Fe, Mn, Ba, P, Cr, Co, Pb, Cu and Zn), along with the analysis of grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N, respectively) in a mangrove sedimentary core collected in the Estrela River (RE) estuary (Guanabara Bay, RJ). Three distinct sedimentary phases were suggested. The first phase represents a natural undisturbed environment, the second phase marks the onset of human intervention and the third phase relates to a stagnation in the anthropogenic influence. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also indicated both natural and anthropogenic sources. A positive correlation between Ba and P (indicating sewage sources) and Cr, Co, Zn, Cu and Pb (associated with urban and industrial wastewater) suggests similar historical sources while a strong correlation between Cu, Zn and P in superficial sediments suggested similar sources spatially. Notably, Cu and Zn exhibited high Enrichment Factors (EF) and Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values, indicating significant contamination levels, particularly for Cu. Sediment Quality Guidelines Quotient (SQGQ) values also raised concerns about sediment quality in the RE basin, highlighting a potential toxicity risk to local biota. This study provides knowledge about the historical and spatial patterns of metal accumulation and distribution, offering important information on contamination sources and the environmental consequences of anthropogenic activities in the region.

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