Fluorescência de Raios X por Dispersão de Energia (EDXRF) aplicada ao estudo de solos contaminados por metais pesados

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.97625170914

• Palavras-chave: Solos arenosos. Metais pesados. Contaminação ambiental. Fluorescência de raios X. Monitoramento ambiental.

• Keywords: Sandy soils. Heavy metals. Environmental contamination. X-ray fluorescence. Environmental monitoring.

• Abstract: Sepetiba Bay, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, is an estuarine environment of high ecological and economic importance, but it has been suffering increasing degradation due to industrial, port, and mining expansion in its surroundings. This chapter presents an analysis of heavy metal contamination in sandy soils of beaches located in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, Itaguaí, and Mangaratiba, regions strongly influenced by activities such as steelmaking, metallurgy, port operations, and the transport and storage of ores. Nine beaches and two areas considered potential sources of contamination were selected, including Ilha da Madeira and Ilha de Guaíba. The samples were analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), a non-destructive technique that allowed the quantification of metallic elements associated with industrial processes. The results revealed high levels of iron and evidence of other metals related to anthropogenic activity, showing that the contamination is not homogeneous and does not show a direct correlation with the distance from the emission sources, being influenced by hydrodynamic factors, history of environmental liabilities, and geomorphological characteristics of the bay. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of EDXRF as an environmental monitoring tool and reinforces the need for integrated policies for the control, mitigation, and recovery of impacted coastal areas.