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Metals in water, sediments, and biota of an offshore oil exploration area in the Potiguar Basin, Northeastern Brazil

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Abstract

Metal concentrations were evaluated in water, bottom sediments, and biota in four field campaigns from 2002 to 2004 in the Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, where offshore oil exploration occurs. Analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Total metal concentrations in water (dissolved + particulate) and sediments were in the range expected for coastal and oceanic areas. Abnormally high concentrations in waters were only found for Ba (80 μg l−1) and Mn (12 μg l−1) at the releasing point of one of the outfalls, and for the other metals, concentrations in water were found in stations closer to shore, suggesting continental inputs. In bottom sediments, only Fe and Mn showed abnormal concentrations closer to the effluent releasing point. Metal spatial distribution in shelf sediments showed the influence of the silt–clay fraction distribution, with deeper stations at the edge of the continental shelf, which are much richer in silt–clay fraction showing higher concentrations than shallower sediments typically dominated by carbonates. Metal concentrations in estuarine (mollusks and crustaceans) and marine (fish) organisms showed highest concentrations in oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae). Fish tissues metal concentrations were similar between the continental shelf influenced by the oil exploration area and a control site. The results were within the range of concentrations reported for pristine environments without metals contamination. The global results suggest small, if any, alteration in metal concentrations due to the oil exploration activity in the Potiguar Basin. For monitoring purposes, the continental inputs and the distribution of the clay–silt fraction need to be taken into consideration for interpreting environmental monitoring results.

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Acknowledgments

This work is part of the long-term monitoring program of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (PETROBRAS) of the offshore exploration areas at the Potiguar Basin. Thanks are also due to National Research Council of Brazil (CNPq; Proc. No. 573.601/2008-9) for providing grants and funding to the authors. The authors wish to thank PETROBRAS S.A. for allowing publication of part of the results and are particularly indebted to the crews of N/RB Astro Garoupa from PETROBRAS S.A. and from the NOc Professor Martins Filho, from the Federal University of Ceará, for the exhaustive logistic support during the monitoring program. The authors extend their thanks to two anonymous reviewers who kindly reviewed, detailed, and improved an earlier version of this manuscript.

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  1. Instituto de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60165-081, Brazil

    L. D. Lacerda

  2. Departamento de Química, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 22450-051, Brazil

    R. C. Campos

  3. Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 240202-007, Brazil

    R. E. Santelli

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  1. L. D. Lacerda
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Lacerda, L.D., Campos, R.C. & Santelli, R.E. Metals in water, sediments, and biota of an offshore oil exploration area in the Potiguar Basin, Northeastern Brazil. Environ Monit Assess 185, 4427–4447 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2881-9

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