Heavy metal concentrations and ecological risk assessment of the suspended sediments of a multi-contaminated Brazilian watershed

ABSTRACT. Metal concentrations in suspended sediments of one of the most polluted rivers in Brazil were measured. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma while Hg and As were analyzed with hydride generation flow injection atomic absorption spectroscopy. Contamination of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn was assessed using pollution indices, ecological risk assessment, statistical multivariate techniques and comparison with sediment quality guidelines. Suspended sediments of the upstream portion of the Ipojuca River are modera...