Avaliação da qualidade ambiental do estuário do espírito santo na Matola - Moçambique

Abstract

This undergraduate work in environmental chemistry falls under number 14: "life in water” of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): manage sustainably and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, take steps towards their restoration in order to ensure healthy and productive oceans, take urgent and significant measures to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. This work evaluates the environmental quality of the estuarine waters of Espírito Santo. in Matola in Mozambique through the determination of metal concentrations by ICP-OES. For this purpose, 10 water samples collected during the rainy season in different locations were analyzed. points selected with the help of GPS. The values ​​of the concentrations of the determined metals, in general, show metal contents above the limits established by WHO and/or EPA standards. Comparison of levels of contamination in the rainy season with previous studies carried out by Fernando (2022) in same points and in the same estuary show contamination with a seasonal trend, being that in the dry season the estuarine waters are more polluted with silver, manganese and zinc, while that, in the rainy season, arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, nickel and lead present greater concentration. Agricultural and port activities, waste discharges and sewage disposal were identified as sources of pollution. domestic, industrial and hospital waste. The facts indicated above demonstrate that the Espirito Santo estuary is contaminated with metals and therefore presents a serious risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems. From this mode is indisputably urgent and imperative the implementation of sustainable management practices of the land and water around the estuary, as well as taking protective measures, preservation and continued conservation of the aquatic environment of the Espírito Santo estuary. These measures can prevent degradation and return these habitats and feeding grounds to environments closer to nature.(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)