Determinação de mercúrio total em águas do estado do Ceará por análise direta empregando espectrometria de absorção atômica com amalgação e decomposição térmica

Abstract

Water is an indispensable resource for human subsistence, therefore, maintaining water quality parameters for human consumption is essential. This situation is even more serious in the state of Ceará, which suffers from periods of low rainfall. The presence of metals can be a form of water pollution, among which mercury is a toxic metal that can promote various ills for the population due to its ability to remain in the body of various living beings, mobility and its sources of natural emissions (evaporation of bodies of water) and anthropic (burning fuels). Groundwater is a viable alternative for population demand, especially in semi-arid areas that suffer from scarcity. Because of this, analyzes of the total mercury content in groundwater from municipalities in the state of Ceará were carried out, in order to verify whether these waters are suitable for human use in accordance with Ordinance GM/MS n° 888, of may 4 of 2021 and the resolutions of the National Environment Council (CONAMA) n° 357/2005 and CONAMA No. 396/2008. The methodology applied made it possible to identify that the concentration of mercury present in most samples is below the limits of the legislation, but the three samples presented concentration above the allowed for human consumption in the same municipality, which may indicate a source of regional contamination.