Xingu River has iron levels higher than normal

Xingu River has iron levels higher than normal

O Liberal

1st September 2006

In a study conducted by the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (Laquanam) of the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), the Xingu River was found to have iron levels almost twice as high as what is acceptable for human health. The study was conducted in the years 2000 to 2003 based on analyses of fish, water and hair samples of the local population. Samples of soil and sediments near the river were also analyzed.

The National Environmental Council (Conama) establishes 300mg/L as the maximum level of iron that can be considered as acceptable. Material collected in the region, however, has an average iron level of 508.08mg/L. The high concentration of iron is very toxic and can cause innumerable problems to human health. The survey shows that the Xingu is being threatened by nearby goldmines.

Eletronorte, the company that financed the study, wanted to compare the levels of metals in the river before and after the construction of the Belo Monte hydro power plant.

The Murucupi River, which runs through the municipality of Marcarena-PA, also shows alarming amounts of metals. Concentrations of 1080.80 mg/L of iron and 365.04 mg/L of aluminum were detected.

Despite the alarming amount, the results from Murucupi may be influenced by an accident that took place in 2004 when a large quantity of alumina, substance containing iron and aluminum, was dumped into the river.