@article{ObiriNyarkoDuahKarikarietal.2021,
  author    = {Obiri-Nyarko, Franklin and Duah, Anthony A. and Karikari, Anthony Y. and Agyekum, William A. and Manu, Evans and Tagoe, Ralph},
  title     = {Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils at the Kpone landfill site, Ghana},
  series = {Chemosphere : chemistry, biology and toxicology as related to environmental problems},
  volume    = {282},
  journal   = {Chemosphere : chemistry, biology and toxicology as related to environmental problems},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam [u.a.]},
  issn      = {0045-6535},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131007},
  pages     = {10},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Concentrations of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in soils at the Kpone landfill site (Ghana) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Further analyses allowed establishing the degree of heavy metals (HMs) pollution, suitability of the soils for agriculture, sources of the HMs and their ecological and health risks. The site was divided into five zones, A, B, C, D, and E, and in all, seventeen (17) soil samples were collected. Average concentrations of Cu fell within the allowable range for agricultural soils in all the zones while average concentrations of Pb, Zn, Hg, and As exceeded the range in some or all the zones. Concentrations of the HMs generally exceeded their respective background value, with all zones showing very high degree of HMs contamination. The pollution load index (PLI) was 16.48, signifying extreme HMs pollution of the entire site. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that Cu, Zn, and Pb in the soils originated from the deposited waste materials as well as traffic-related activities (e.g. wear and tear of tyres, brakes, and engines) at the site. Hg also originated from the deposited waste materials as well as cement production and oil and coal combustion activities in the study area, while As derived from industrial discharges and metal smelting activities. All the zones exhibited very high ecological risk. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks posed by the HMs were also above acceptable levels, with children being more vulnerable than adults to these health risks.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KuhnTavaresJacquesTeixeiraetal.2021,
  author    = {Kuhn, Eug{\^e}nia Carla and Tavares Jacques, Maur{\´i}cio and Teixeira, Daniela and Meyer, S{\"o}ren and Gralha, Thiago and Roehrs, Rafael and Camargo, Sandro and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Bornhorst, Julia and {\´A}vila, Daiana Silva},
  title     = {Ecotoxicological assessment of Uruguay River and affluents pre- and biomonitoring},
  series = {Environmental science and pollution research : ESPR},
  volume    = {28},
  journal   = {Environmental science and pollution research : ESPR},
  number    = {17},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Berlin ; Heidelberg},
  issn      = {0944-1344},
  doi       = {10.1007/s11356-020-11986-4},
  pages     = {21730 -- 21741},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Uruguay River is the most important river in western Rio Grande do Sul, separating Brazil from Argentina and Uruguay. However, its pollution is of great concern due to agricultural activities in the region and the extensive use of pesticides. In a long term, this practice leads to environmental pollution, especially to the aquatic system. The objective of this study was to analyze the physicochemical characteristics, metals and pesticides levels in water samples obtained before and after the planting and pesticides' application season from three sites: Uruguay River and two minor affluents, Mezomo Dam and Salso Stream. For biomonitoring, the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used, which were exposed for 24 h. We did not find any significant alteration in physicochemical parameters. In the pre- and post-pesticides' samples we observed a residual presence of three pesticides (tebuconazole, imazethapyr, and clomazone) and metals which levels were above the recommended (As, Hg, Fe, and Mn). Exposure to both pre- and post-pesticides' samples impaired C. elegans reproduction and post-pesticides samples reduced worms' survival rate and lifespan. PCA analysis indicated that the presence of metals and pesticides are important variables that impacted C. elegans biological endpoints. Our data demonstrates that Uruguay River and two affluents are contaminated independent whether before or after pesticides' application season. In addition, it reinforces the usefulness of biological indicators, since simple physicochemical analyses are not sufficient to attest water quality and ecological safety.},
  language  = {en}
}