Brazilian Journal of Geology (Jan 2023)

Methodological approach and general guidelines to geochemical mapping and background-baseline analysis for environmental assessment: a case study in the Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil

  • Pedro Walfir Martins Souza-Filho,
  • Prafulla Kumar Sahoo,
  • Marcio Sousa da Silva,
  • Roberto Dall’Agnol,
  • Carlos Augusto Medeiros Filho,
  • Alessandro Sabá Leite,
  • Jair da Silva Ferreira Júnior,
  • Wilson da Rocha Nascimento Junior,
  • Géssica da Silva e Silva,
  • Gabriel Negreiros Salomão,
  • Fabiana Sarracini,
  • Renato Oliveira Silva Junior,
  • Marlene Furtado da Costa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-4889202220220018
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52, no. 4

Abstract

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Abstract We present this manuscript as a methodological approach and general guidelines for geochemical mapping and background/baseline projects for environmental assessment in tropical areas. A case study was carried out in the Itacaiúnas River watershed (IRW), Eastern Amazon, to fill in a gap in knowledge on the distribution of chemical elements, particularly those potentially toxic, in the near-surface environment of the area. The high-impact results of this research project revealed the need for similar scientific investigation across the globe with the implementation of a systematic methodology. The study shows, for example, the importance of well-planned field activities, multi-medium sampling, analytical methods, laboratory procedures, database construction, and general aspects of data processing and statistical treatment. The importance of this contribution is that it can be used as a reference in support of geospatial analysis in research within the scope of geochemical mapping and background-baseline projects. The database is accessible through a web-based geographic information system front-end; a Geochemical Atlas of the IRW will be available as soon as possible.

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