Heavy Metals in Sediment from Alvarado Lagoon System in Veracruz, México

Heavy metals are one of the main sources of pollution in sediment in coastal lagoons in Mexico. The presence of metals in sediments of these aquatic bodies, are an indicator that allows us to know the environmental quality of ecosystems and the risk it poses to public health. This, due to consumption of aquatic organisms that have direct contact with the sediment when inhabiting the bottom of the lagoon system. The objective of this research was to determine the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Co in the Alvarado lagoon complex in Veracruz, Mexico. Sediments of 41 sampling stations were analyzed. Sediment digestion for the analysis of heavy metals was carried out in a CEM Microwave Accelerated Reaction System, Model MARS 5®. The concentrations levels of the metals were analyzed by atomic absorption through flame spectrophotometry on a Thermo Cientific 3500 Model AA Ice System. The presence of the five metals were found in all 41 analyzed stations. The Co presented the maximum concentration with 9.53 μg g-1. Concentrations were within the limits established by international legislation with the exception of Cd. However, continuous analyzes should be carried out in this study area to ensure the environmental quality of sediments as a final deposit site for persistent organic pollutants. The above as a result of different productive activities that impact this area of study.