The hydrologic complex of Babitonga Bay (Brazil) forms a vast environmental complex, hosts the last great south hemisphere’s mangrove bulk. Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. Effects of an oil spill were studied in Babitonga Bay using lead and carbon isotopes. Samples of the spilled oil were obtained nine months after the accident, at the moment of the salvage, as well as sediment and water samples. Thus, the isotopic composition of the oil allowed tracing the environmental pollution. Notwithstanding the delay in time, isotopes of lead and carbon allowed identify areas where the presence of the oil can be still detected, permitting assess the extent of pollution. Contaminated sediments exhibited an isotopic composition (206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/206Pb) close to that of the oil spilled. Moreover δ13C also permitted ratify these results. Others isotopes were used but with no contributions. Observing and comparing the results it is possible to open a window in the environmental forensic field.
Lead, nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes in sediments of Babitonga Bay: an oil spill case
SPANDRE, ROBERTO;
In corso di stampa
Abstract
The hydrologic complex of Babitonga Bay (Brazil) forms a vast environmental complex, hosts the last great south hemisphere’s mangrove bulk. Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. Effects of an oil spill were studied in Babitonga Bay using lead and carbon isotopes. Samples of the spilled oil were obtained nine months after the accident, at the moment of the salvage, as well as sediment and water samples. Thus, the isotopic composition of the oil allowed tracing the environmental pollution. Notwithstanding the delay in time, isotopes of lead and carbon allowed identify areas where the presence of the oil can be still detected, permitting assess the extent of pollution. Contaminated sediments exhibited an isotopic composition (206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/206Pb) close to that of the oil spilled. Moreover δ13C also permitted ratify these results. Others isotopes were used but with no contributions. Observing and comparing the results it is possible to open a window in the environmental forensic field.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
