Concentration of heavy metals in Água Preta lake sediments (Pará, Brazil)

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals in bottom sediments of Água Preta lake, located in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará state, Brazil. Concentrations of heavy metals were obtained by emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Metals that showed high concentrations were chromium (245 mg.Kg-1) and nickel (97 mg.Kg-1), both above Propable Effect Level (PEL) index. The work revealed the reflection of the anthropogenic pressures that Água Preta lake has suffered over the years, showing that the bottom sediments are impacted by heavy metals, high loads of organic matter and nutrients.