Geospatial modeling and ecological and human health risk assessments of heavy metals in contaminated mangrove soils

Heavy metal-contaminated wastes can threaten mangrove forests, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. The study evaluated the geospatial distribution of heavy metals concentrations in soils, the ecological and human health risks, and metal contents in soil fractions and mangrove organisms in the Botafogo estuary, Brazil, one of the most environmentally impacted estuaries in the country. The metal concentrations exceeded by up to 2.6-fold the geochemical background; 91%, 59%, 64%, 31%, and 82% of the soils were contaminated with Cr, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ni, respectively. Adverse effects to the biota may occur due to Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb exposures. Contents of clay and organic matter were the main factors governing the distribution of metals in soil, contributing to up to 63% of the total variability. However, the geospatial modeling showed that the predictive ability of these variables varied spatially with the metal and location. The ecological and human health risks assessments indicated that the metal concentrations in soils are safe for the environment and human beings. There was a low transfer of metals from the soil to the biota, with values of sediment-biota accumulation factor (SBAF) and biological accumulation coefficients (BAC) lower than 1.0, except for Zn (SBAF =13.1). The high Zn bioaccumulation by Crassostrea rhizophorae may be associated with the concentrations of Zn in the bioavailable fractions.

Automated summary

Heavy metal-contaminated wastes pose a threat to the biodiverse mangrove forests. A study in Botafogo estuary, Brazil, evaluated the distribution of heavy metals in soils, ecological and human health risks, and metal contents in soil fractions and mangrove organisms. The study found that metal concentrations exceeded background levels, but were deemed safe for the environment and human beings.