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

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 acute 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, survivor percentages of Daphnia similis were lower 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.

Metals and new approaches for biomonitoring

“…Recently, lead (Pb) bioaccumulation has received increased concern as it has been found that Pb has no safe concentration in terms of DNA modification risk in humans; thus, even low concentration Pb exposure can lead to neurological and hematological disturbance (Araujo et al, 2021). Further, recent mining disasters in Brazil and worldwide have reinforced that it is urgent to maintain metal biomonitoring programs in vulnerable areas (Bordon et al, 2023).…”