The Brumadinho Mining Disaster: Immediate Impacts of Mine Tailings 5 Days After the Dam Rupture

Authors

  • Isabella Bordon Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), University of São Paulo (USP). Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, nº 1524 – Butantã –CEP 05508-000 - São Paulo- SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9413-8227
  • Mariana Lima Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN ), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 2242 - Cidade Universitária - CEP: 05508-000 - São Paulo – SP, Brazil
  • Denis M.S. Abessa Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus do Litoral Paulista, Núcleo de Estudos em Poluição e Ecotoxicologia Aquática (NEPEA) Praça Infante Dom Henrique s/nº - Parque Bitaru – CEP 11330-900 – São Vicente- SP, Brazil
  • Deborah I. T. Favaro Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 2242 - Cidade Universitária - CEP: 05508-000 - São Paulo – SP, Brazil
  • Paulo S. C. da Silva Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 2242 - Cidade Universitária - CEP: 05508-000 - São Paulo – SP, Brazil
  • Marycel E.B. Cotrim Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 2242 - Cidade Universitária - CEP: 05508-000 - São Paulo – SP, Brazil
  • João C. Ulrich Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 2242 - Cidade Universitária - CEP: 05508-000 - São Paulo – SP, Brazil
  • Camila K. Takahashi S.O.S Mata Atlântica - Av. Paulista, 2073 - Horsa 1 - Conj. 1318- Bela Vista – CEP 01311-300 - São Paulo- SP, Brazil
  • José Roberto M. C. da Silva Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, nº 1524 – Butantã –CEP 05508-000 - São Paulo- SP, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2022.02.05

Keywords:

Brazil, Minas Gerais, Paraopeba, metal, Córrego do Feijão

Abstract

The rupture of the Córrego do Feijão Dam close to Brumadinho municipality is one of the recent and most devastating environmental disaster in Brazil. This study aims to report the results of metal determinations and toxicity assays of mining tailing samples collected 5 days after the dam rupture. Concentrations of As, Cu and Ni in site 1 (close to the dam); concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb in site 2 (Solo Sagrado) and As, Cd and Cr in the three replicates of site 3 (Mario Campos municipality) were higher than TEL reference value. The Cd concentration in of site 1, and As, Cd and Ni concentrations in of site 2 were higher than the PEL reference value, indicating effective effects of these metals to biota. Corroborating with previous studies, the Uranium contamination was detected close to Solo Sagrado. However, the evaluation of radionuclides came to the absence of relevant radioactivity. Regarding the ecotoxicological assays using elutriate of samples, survivor percentages of Daphnia similis were higher than the lab control in sites 2 and 3. Thus, results support concerns regarding environmental recovery, which can take years to occur. Monitoring of biota, abiotic and physical-chemical parameters should be performed continually.

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Published

31-01-2023

How to Cite

Bordon, I., Lima, M., Abessa, D., Favaro, D., Silva, P., Cotrim, M., Ulrich, J., Takahashi, C. K., & Silva, J. R. M. C. (2023). The Brumadinho Mining Disaster: Immediate Impacts of Mine Tailings 5 Days After the Dam Rupture . Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, 17(2), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2022.02.05

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Original Articles

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