Assessment of the Environmental Risk of a Floodplain Contaminated by Metals Based on Different Indices and Environmental Classification Factors, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The geochemical characterization, of an industrial area in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, revealed presence of high levels of potentially toxic metals, higher than the values admitted. The use of three environmental classification indices enabled the comparison of data with the adopted classifications for each index, having identified cadmium, lead and zinc as the main contaminants. The construction of interpolation maps allowed the visualization of the e contaminants evolution throughout the area. It was possible to identify places where natural mitigation processes can be used end produce a comprehensive remediation proposal in places identified as requiring a more complex intervention.