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Abstract
Water is a fundamental source of life for living beings on the planet, and its conservation is a priority, since guaranteeing a sufficient, safe, and accessible supply is indispensable. However, organic and inorganic pollution in the Coata River Basin poses a direct threat to human health, causing illnesses ranging from mild conditions to untreatable cancers. The study aimed to evaluate the environmental problems caused by toxic metals and metalloids in water and sediments. The study was carried out during rainy and dry seasons at 11 sampling points, collecting and analyzing samples according to standardized protocols. Results, for arsenic (As) in water ranged from 0,009 to 0,043 mg/L in the rainy season and from 0,008 to 0,038 mg/L in the dry season, respectively exceeding the EQS-water, for sediments in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, concentrations were: As (17,30 to 75,70 and 21,20 to 71,40 mg/kg), Cd (0,60 to 3,80 and 0,90 to 4,50 mg/kg), Cr (15,80 to 31,10 and 14,90 to 33,20 mg/kg), Cu (12,10 to 47,60 and 16,40 to 61,80 mg/kg), Hg (0,19 to 1,51 and 0,10 to 1,72 mg/kg), Pb (37,70 to 89,40 and 37,60 to 171,40 mg/kg), and Zn (190,80 to 509,60 and 248,00 to 580,30 mg/kg). As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn exceeded the SESS, MET, and TEL reference standards, while Cr exceeded only SESS. In conclusion, the Coata River Basin is at environmental risk due to contamination by organic and inorganic matter, rendering it unfit for human consumption.
