Forest fire indicators and mercury deposition in an intense land use change region in the Brazilian Amazon (Alta Floresta, MT)

Historical Hg accumulation (∼65 cal kyr BP) in upland lakes of the Southeastern Brazilian Amazonia: New evidence of the extent of geogenic and diagenetic control

The historical upland lake sediments in the Brazilian Amazon witnessed significant enrichment of total mercury (Hg). However, its spatio-temporal relationships between lakes and the main factors responsible for this enrichment are still poorly constrained. Given this, we geochemically investigated 12 radiometrically dated (extending back to ∼65 cal kyr BP) sediment cores from the Carajás plateau, Brazil. The Hg level in historical sediments presented a large temporal variability (from 1 to 3200 μg/kg), with maximum accumulation peaks observed between 30 and 45 cal kyr BP in core R2, LB3, and R1. However, the lack of the Hg peak in other cores (LV2 and LTI3) during the same period despite being proximity and non-correlation of these Hg peaks with the onset of major volcanic events indicates that this source has little bearing. Hg enrichment is highly dependent on the type of sedimentary facies, with higher values were associated with detritic facies (MI) and detritic+organic facies (P/M). Principal component analysis shows that aluminosilicate minerals and organic matter are essential hosts of Hg in sediments. The positive correlation between Al, Ti, and Hg in detritic facies and their strong coherence with Hg/TOC in R1, R5, LSL, ST02, and LB3 cores indicate that Hg is primarily of lithogenic origin. This can be substantiated by the higher background threshold value of Hg (574 μg/kg) in historical lake sediments compared to those in recent lake sediments (340 μg/kg). However, the most pronounced Hg peak (3200 μg/kg) in R2 around 45 cal kyr BP, which correlates positively with TOC, S, Se, As, and Mo indicates their diagenetic enrichment in organic-rich sediments under anoxic conditions. Thus, in addition to the lithogenic effect, it can be argued that diagenesis can play a significant role in prompting Hg enrichment in the Carajás lake sediments in Amazonia.

An integrated approach for quantifying trace metal sources in surface soils of a typical farmland in the three rivers plain, China

The presence of trace metals (TMs) in agricultural soil has garnered considerable attention due to their potential migration into crops, posing a significant risk to human health. In this study, we examined the concentrations of eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the soil and investigated various soil physicochemical characteristics in the Three Rivers Plain region, China. The assessment of the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) for the mean concentration of all trace metals indicated that the soils were generally free from significant TM pollution. However, a noteworthy finding emerged in relation to Hg, where the maximum Igeo value suggested moderate pollution levels. Kriging prediction results further indicated that approximately 1.55% of the study area might be impacted by Hg pollution. Moreover, it is prudent to direct attention towards Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Ni, as their Igeo values revealed that the region with the highest concentrations of these metals ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted. This study employed a comprehensive approach, utilizing the Self-Organizing Map (SOM), Kriging spatial distribution, and the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model to identify the sources of TMs in agricultural soil. The results unveiled that the primary contributors to TM presence were the natural parental materials, alongside industrial activities such as coal mining and coal plant operations, as well as agricultural practices. These findings provide foundational insights for future management strategies in the Three Rivers Plain, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainability.

Black carbon flux in terrestrial and aquatic environments of Kodaikanal in the Western Ghats, South India: Estimation, source identification, and implication

Evolving Anthropocene epoch wields significant influence in altering atmospheric carbon, which affects the carbon cycle, leading to climate change. Understanding the carbon stock, fate, and transport across ecosystems are essential in determining India's carbon budget, hitherto, unavailable. In this study, we have analysed the stock, source, distribution, flux, and the relationship between terrestrial and aquatic black carbon over a high-altitude mountainous area in the Western Ghats region using the data collected from September 2019 to February 2021. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and Black Carbon (BC) are the highest in the forest region (SOC:23 ± 3 g of C/kg (dry weight (dw)), BC:6 ± 3 g/kg) and are the lowest in the urban region (SOC: 13 ± 2 g of C/kg (dw), BC:2 ± 1 g/kg). SOC is labile, whereas BC is non-labile. The BC/SOC ratio represents soil carbon lability. Topsoil BC/SOC ratios vary by land use and land cover, with urban areas having greater labile carbon pools than the forests. Dissolved BC (DBC) concentrations were most strongly correlated with bulk Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) concentrations in midstream (R = 0.6, p < 0.05), headwater streams (R = 0.3, p < 0.05) and to the soil bulk DBC (R = 0.3, p < 0.05), indicating the presence of transfer mechanism of soil to streams. The molecular associations revealed the presence of biolabile autochthonous compounds suggesting the crucial role land use and land cover play on watersheds. A positive relationship between DOC with seasonal hydrology and gradient significantly influences the DBC flux across regional streams. Intercomparison of observed terrestrial and aquatic carbon stocks with globally modelled data indicates an overestimation of regional-scale stock. These new findings have repercussions to policy framework on regional climate change. Further, the results suggest that a consistent quantification of BC and integration of regional, and global source-to-sink process are needed in order to understand and better quantify biogeochemical process cycles and associated climatic impacts.

Centennial records of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon in Altay Mountains peatlands, Xinjiang, China

Black carbon (BC) is an important inert carbon component in the cycling process of surface carbon. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a kind of thick cyclic organic compounds with carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects. The incomplete burning process of biomass and carbolic fuel is the important source of their co-occurrence. This study collected a 60-cm peat core from the Jiadengyu (JDY), Altay Mountain. The core was dated using the 210Pb and 137Cs methods. The results showed BC, total organic carbon, and PAHs of the JDY peat core to be 1.14–72.6 mg g−1, 17.09–47.2%, and 260.58–1,610.77 ng·g−1, respectively. δ13CBC was between −31.5 and − 29.4‰ (mean of −30.56‰). The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated irregular or lumpy peat BC particles, retaining a plant fiber structure. δ13CBC, ratios of PAHs, and the SEM revealed that the BC to be the dominant source of biomass combustion in the peatland. BC showed an increasing trend between 1950 and 1980, after which it decreased. The discrepancy between the change in BC and δ13CBC from the national pattern of BC emission likely reflects the effect of local agricultural exploration, and thus an increase in crop burning.

Multi-element fingerprinting of soils can reveal conversion of wetlands to croplands

Little is known about the influence of conversion of wetlands to farmlands on concentrations and distribution of elements other than those most commonly studied, partly because of the lack of stratification in wetland soils. In this study, in the Sanjiang Plain in northeastern China, we determined the concentrations of 63 elements along soil profiles at three depths: 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, and below the depth to which farmers would plow, at 40-60 cm, under four land uses: natural wetland, drained wetland, wetland converted to soybean field and subsequently to rice paddy field. Based on our previous work, we expected that changes in organic matter content would be an important factor affecting element concentrations, but that changes in land uses also led to decoupling of the influence of organic matter on elements. This would lead to other factors, such as changes in redox conditions, changes in hydrology and mixing of soils due to plowing, becoming more important factors affecting element distributions. Our study confirmed these expectations. Changes in organic matter content directly or indirectly affected many elements, explaining 67% of variation. Arsenic, cobalt, iron and nickel concentrations were dramatically higher and sulfur concentrations lower when wetland was converted to paddy field. Co and Ni were identified as potential chemical indicators of wetland conversion. Our research is the first to use multi-element fingerprinting to study effects of conversion of wetlands to croplands in China and showed that this relatively simple approach highlights the complexity of the many interacting factors in reclamation of wetland soils for agricultural uses.

Influence of environmental conditions on the mercury levels of the sediment along the Balbina Reservoir, Brazilian Amazon

Mercury dynamics in hydroelectric reservoirs have been studied worldwide. In tropical reservoirs, especially in those of the Amazon, the influence of geochemistry on Hg levels along this aquatic system is not well understood. The main objective of the present study was to assess the influence of environmental conditions (physical and chemical water parameters, trace element concentrations of sediment and sediment geochemistry) on mercury levels of sediment along the Balbina Reservoir (Amazon basin, Brazil). Sediment was collected along the reservoir and in the main tributaries in May 2015 (n = 10). These samples were assessed for labile iron (LFe), manganese (LMn), aluminum (LAl) and mercury (LHg) concentrations, total mercury (THg) concentrations, organic matter (OM) content, and granulometry. Concentrations in the sediment were 4-212 (LFe), 2-460 (LAl), 180-613 (LMn), < detection limit-256 (LHg), and 12-307 μg kg^-1 dry weight (THg). In general, these concentrations decreased along the reservoir from upstream to downstream, reaching the lowest concentrations in the middle of the lake, and they increased in the sampling points near the dam. The lability and concentrations of mercury were influenced by the concentrations of LFe, LMn, LAl, and the granulometry and OM content of the sediment. Altogether, THg concentrations of sediments of the Balbina Reservoir encompass the range of concentrations of other reservoirs or natural lakes in the Amazon basin (from ten to a few hundred μg kg^-1 dry weight).

Total and methyl mercury distribution in water, sediment, plankton and fish along the Tapajós River basin in the Brazilian Amazon

Mercury (Hg) is known as one of the major contaminants in the Amazon. The Tapajós River basin, in the Brazilian Amazon, has diverse anthropogenic activities which increase Hg concentrations in the aquatic ecosystem. Moreover, high concentrations of Hg are naturally found in this basin. Distribution of total (THg) and methyl (MeHg) mercury were assessed in unfiltered water (n = 47), suspended particulate matter (SPM, n = 30), superficial sediment (BS, n = 29), plankton (n = 28) and fishes (n = 129) from the Tapajós River basin. Suspended particles were the main carrier of Hg in the water column and sediment. Increased erosion, prompted by anthropic activities, led to higher Hg concentrations in water from the most impacted areas. Hg is transported mainly in particulate matter; thus, anthropic disturbances influence Hg concentrations downstream. Limnological parameters such as organic matter content influenced MeHg concentrations in water, plankton and sediment of the Tapajós basin. Hg methylation in total plankton was more efficient in lakes (13-66%) than in Tapajós River main channel (2-14%). Biotic and abiotic factors interact in a complex way in the aquatic ecosystem, making Hg concentrations to vary in food web. Gold mining and deforestation probably increase Hg levels in the Tapajós basin. Thus, in addition to Hg monitoring, prevention and remediation efforts should be focused on soil and sediment erosion control.

Assessment of mercury contamination in Brycon falcatus (Characiformes: Bryconidae) and human health risk by consumption of this fish from the Teles Pires River, Southern Amazonia

ABSTRACT Brycon falcatus is one of the most highly consumed species of fish within the region in the Teles Pires basin, and has great commercial importance in sport and professional artisanal fishing. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence and concentration of total mercury (THg) in the muscle, liver and gills of B. falcatus, and calculate the risk to human health of THg contamination from ingestion of the fish. THg concentrations were similar in the liver (0.076 mg kg-1) and muscle (0.052 mg kg-1), and higher than in the gills (0.009 mg kg-1). The levels of HgT present in B. falcatus tissues did not influence weight gain and nutritional status. Based on the condition factor, weight and length ratio and hepatosomatic index, it seems that the concentrations of THg did not influence the health and well-being of B. falcatus collected in the Teles Pires River basin. THg concentrations in the muscle of B. falcatus are below the limit recommended by the World Health Organization for people who consume until 250 g of fish per week. The risk of deleterious effects on human health may exist if there is a greater consumption of B. falcatus such as 340 g/day, that is the mean of fish consumption by indigenous and riverine.

Dating the period when intensive anthropogenic activity began to influence the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

Dating the start of intensive anthropogenic influence on ecosystems is important for identifying the conditions necessary for ecosystem recovery. However, few studies have focused on determining when anthropogenic influences on wetland began through sedimentary archives. To fill this critical gap in our knowledge, combustion sources and emission intensities, reconstructed via black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in two wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain in Northeast China. ¹⁴C provided age control for the sedimentary records. By combining previous sedimentary and archaeological studies, we attempt to date the beginning of intensive anthropogenic influences on the Sanjiang Plain. Our results showed that BC deposition fluxes increased from 0.02 to 0.7 g C/m².yr during the last 10,000 years. An upward trend was apparent during the last 500 years. Before 1200 cal yr BP, human activities were minor, such that the wetland ecosystem in the Sanjiang Plain before this period may represent the reference conditions that for the recovery of these wetlands. As the human population increased after 1200 cal yr BP, combustion sources changed and residential areas became a major source of BC and PAHs. In this way, the wetland ecosystem gradually became more heavily influenced by human activities.

Non-lethal sampling for mercury evaluation in crocodilians

Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant that poses potential threats to ecosystems due to its toxicity to humans and wildlife. The development of non-lethal sampling techniques is a critical step for evaluation of Hg in threatened species in tropical floodplain environments, where most of Hg found is the result of land use and gold mining activities, and more methylation sites are available. We evaluated the spatial and seasonal effectiveness of caudal scutes and claws to estimate Hg bioaccumulation in crocodilians (Caiman yacare), in the scarcely documented Pantanal. Hence, we investigated the potential for Hg bioaccumulation in top predators according to its proximity to mining sites, and in water bodies with different hydrological characteristics and connectivity with the main river during two phases of the flood pulse (dry and flood). The highest Hg concentrations were detected in caimans captured close to mining activities, in claws (2176 ng g(-1) ww) and caudal scutes (388 ng g(-1) ww). THg concentration in claws was related to the flood season and its mean concentration was thirteen fold higher than Hg concentration in scutes during whole year. Both tissues were found to be effective as non-lethal sampling techniques for measuring Hg bioaccumulation in reptiles over time. Nevertheless, claw tissue seems to have a more consistent result, since its constitutional chemical characteristics makes it a better indicator of spatial patterns that influence on Hg exposure.

Anthropogenic Black Carbon Emission Increase during the Last 150 Years at Coastal Jiangsu, China

Black carbon (BC) is one of the major drivers of climate change and a useful indicator of environmental pollution from industrialization, and thus it is essential to reconstruct the historical trend in BC flux to better understand its impact. The Yancheng coastal wetland reserve in Jiangsu province is an area sensitive to global sea level change and is also located in the most developed as well as most polluted region of China. We investigated the concentration and historical flux of BC over the past 150 years through geochemical analysis of two 210Pb-dated sediment cores from Yancheng coastal wetland. Measured BC contents ranged from 0.24 mg g-1 to 1.41 mg g-1 with average values of 0.51mg g-1-0.69 mg g-1, and BC fluxes ranged from 0.69 g m-2 yr-1 to 11.80 g m-2 yr-1 with averages of 2.94g m-2 yr-1-3.79 g m-2 yr-1. These values are consistent with other records worldwide. Both BC content and flux show a gradual and continuous increase over time and clearly reflect increased emissions from anthropogenic activities. The BC records have a significant peak in recent years (from 2000 to 2007), which is accompanied by the sharp increase of energy consumption and total carbon emission in the region. It is reasonable to conclude that changes in BC from increasing human activities have controlled BC fluxes during the last 150 years. Industrial contamination, especially BC emission, in the coastal region of eastern China should be taken into account when developing management strategies for protecting the natural environment.

Historical trends of atmospheric black carbon on Sanjiang Plain as reconstructed from a 150-year peat record

Black carbon (BC), one of the major components of atmosphere aerosol, could be the second dominant driver of climate change. We reconstructed historical trend of BC fluxes in Sanjiang Plain (Northeast China) through peat record to better understand its long-term trend and relationship of this atmosphere aerosol with intensity of human activities. The BC fluxes in peatland were higher than other sedimentary archives. Although global biomass burning decreased in last 150 years, regional large scale reclaiming caused BC fluxes of the Sanjiang Plain increased dramatically between 1950s' and 1980s', most likely resulting from using fire to clearing dense pastures and forests for reclaiming. The BC fluxes have increased since 1900s with increasing of the population and the area of farmland; the increase trend has been more clearly since 1980s. Based on Generalized additive models (GAM), the proportional influence of regional anthropogenic impacts have increased and became dominant factors on BC deposition.

The impacts of land use changes in the mercury flux in the Madeira River, Western Amazon

Changes in hydrochemistry and Hg distribution in the Madeira River from Porto Velho to the confluence with the Amazon River were studied in two cruises in 1997 and 2002. Water conductivity was similar in both periods, but the pH was significantly higher in 2002, in particular along the middle reaches of the river. Total suspended matter concentrations also increased from 1997 to 2002 along the same river portion, which is a result of forest conversion to other land uses, in particular pastures and agriculture accelerated during the interval between the cruises. Dissolved Hg concentrations were similar along the river in both cruises, but particulate Hg concentrations increased significantly along the middle portion of the river, although the suspended matter from 2002 was relatively poorer in Hg compared to that from 1997. Since particulate Hg represents more than 90% of the total Hg present in the river water, there was a significant increase in the total Hg transport in the Madeira River. Although gold mining has nearly ceased to exist in the region, the remobilization of Hg from forest soils through conversion to other land uses is responsible for maintaining relatively high Hg content in the Madeira River environment.

Litterfall mercury deposition in Atlantic forest ecosystem from SE-Brazil

Litterfall is believed to be the major flux of Hg to soils in forested landscapes, yet much less is known about this input on tropical environment. The Hg litterfall flux was measured during one year in Atlantic Forest fragment, located within Rio de Janeiro urban perimeter, in the Southeastern region of Brazil. The results indicated a mean annual Hg concentration of 238 ± 52 ng g(-1) and a total annual Hg deposition of 184 ± 8.2 μg m(-2) y(-1). The negative correlation observed between rain precipitation and Hg concentrations is probably related to the higher photosynthetic activity observed during summer. The total Hg concentration in leaves from the most abundant species varied from 60 to 215 ng g(-1). Hg concentration showed a positive correlation with stomatal and trichomes densities. These characteristics support the hypothesis that Tropical Forest is an efficient mercury sink and litter plays a key role in Hg dynamics.

An overview of mercury contamination research in the Amazon basin with an emphasis on Brazil

This article provides an overview of research on mercury contamination in the Amazon Basin and its evolution from 1990 to 2005. The assessment was based on an extensive and systematic review using bibliographic databases available online and a review of projects by research groups. Brazilian research groups were identified using the database of the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq). A geographic information system was used to determine the location of the studies. Different aspects of mercury contamination were evaluated (environmental studies, impacts on human health, technological improvements). For 1990-2005, a total of 455 publications were identified. The main advances and remaining gaps in relation to environmental issues and human health were identified and discussed. Although the scientific output varied considerably over the period, there was a general increase in the total number of publications per year from the early 1990s (fewer than 20) until 2005 (more than 30), considering the articles published in indexed journals.

Mercury deposition through litterfall in an Atlantic forest at Ilha Grande, Southeast Brazil

Atmospheric Hg transfer to the forest soil through litterfall was investigated in a primary rainforest at Ilha Grande (Southeast Brazil) from January to December 1997. Litter mass deposition reached 10.0 t ha (-1)y(-1), with leaves composing 50-84% of the total litter mass. Concentrations of Hg in the total fallen litter varied from 20 to 244 ng g(-1), with higher concentrations during the dry season, between June and August (225+/-17 ng g(-1)), and lower concentrations during the rainy season (99+/-54 ng g(-1)). This seasonal variability was reflected in the Hg flux through litterfall, which corresponded to a Hg input to the forest floor of 122 microg m(-2)y(-1), with average Hg deposition of 16.5+/-1.5 microg m(-2)month(-1) during and just after the dry season (June-September) and 7.0+/-3.6 microg m(-2)month(-1) in the rest of the year. The variability in meteorological conditions (determining atmospheric Hg availability to foliar scavenging) may explain the pulsed pattern of Hg deposition, since litterfall temporal variability was generally unrelated with such deposition, except by a peak in litterfall production in September. Comparisons with regional data on Hg atmospheric deposition show that litterfall promotes Hg deposition at Ilha Grande two to three orders of magnitude higher than open rainfall deposition in non-industrialized areas and approximately two times higher than open rainfall deposition in industrialized areas in Rio de Janeiro State. The observed input suggests that atmospheric Hg transfer through litterfall may explain a larger fraction of the total Hg input to forest soils in Southeast Brazil than those recorded at higher latitudes.

Mercury loss from soils following conversion from forest to pasture in Rondônia, Western Amazon, Brazil

This work reports on the effect of land use change on Hg distribution in Amazon soils. It provides a comparison among Hg concentrations and distribution along soil profiles under different land use categories; primary tropical forest, slashed forest prior to burning, a 1-year silviculture plot planted after 4 years of forest removal and a 5-year-old pasture plot. Mercury concentrations were highest in deeper (60-80 cm) layers in all four plots. Forest soils showed the highest Hg concentrations, ranging from 128 ngg(-1) at the soil surface to 150 ngg(-1) at 60-80 cm of depth. Lower concentrations were found in pasture soils, ranging from 69 ngg(-1) at the topsoil to 135 ngg(-1) at 60-80 cm of depth. Slashed and silviculture soils showed intermediate concentrations. Differences among plots of different soil-use categories decreased with soil depth, being non-significant below 60 cm of depth. Mercury burdens were only statistically significantly different between pasture and forest soils at the topsoil, due to the large variability of concentrations. Consequently, estimated Hg losses were only significant between these two land use categories, and only for the surface layers. Estimated Hg loss due to forest conversion to pasture ranged from 8.5 mgm(-2) to 18.5 mgm(-2), for the first 20 cm of the soil profile. Mercury loss was comparable to loss rates estimated for other Amazon sites and seems to be directly related to Hg concentrations present in soils.

The effects of land use change on mercury distribution in soils of Alta Floresta, Southern Amazon

This study presents the spatial distribution, degree of contamination and storage capacity of Hg in surface forest and pasture soils from Alta Floresta, Southern Amazon, a significant gold mining site from 1980 to 1996. During that period, average annual gold production was about 6.5 tons, with an estimated Hg annual emission to the environment of about 8.8 tons, 60-80% of it being emitted to the atmosphere. Mercury sources to the region are mining sites and gold-dealer shops at the city of Alta Floresta, where gold is smelted and commercialized. Mercury concentrations in forest soils (15-248 ng g(-1), average=61.9 ng g(-1)) were 1.5-3.0 times higher than in pasture soils (10-74 ng g(-1), average=33.8 ng g(-1)), suggesting strong re-mobilization after deforestation. Highest Hg concentrations were found within a distance of 20-30 km from mining sites in both soil types. The influence of the refining operations within the city of Alta Floresta, however, was less clear. Somewhat higher concentrations were observed only within a 5 km radius from the city center where gold-dealer shops are located. Wind direction controls the spatial distribution of Hg. Background concentrations (15-50 ng g(-1)) were generally found at the outer perimeter of the sampling grid, about 40 km from sources. This suggests that Hg released from mining and refining activities undergoes rapid deposition. Estimated cumulative Hg burdens for the first 10 cm of soil averaged 8.3 mg m(-2) and 4.9 mg m(-2), for forest and pasture soils respectively and compare well with ultisols and hydromorphic oxisols, but were lower than those found in yellow-red and yellow latosols and podsols from other Amazonian areas. Our results show that changing land use in the Amazon is a strong re-mobilizing agent of Hg deposited on soils from the atmosphere.