Geochemical occurrences of arsenic and fluoride in bedrock groundwater: a case study in Geumsan County,Korea |
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Authors: | Joo Sung Ahn |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicological Assays, Institute of Biology Science, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Italia km-08, Campus Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, CEP 96201-900, Brazil;(2) Oceanography Institute, Laboratory of Geological Oceanography, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; |
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Abstract: | Rio Grande, the southernmost Brazilian port and industrial center, is marked by mercury-polluted ground cover. This pollution
varies spatially, with levels exceeding 1,000 μg kg−1 in 30% of the urban territory. The risk of Hg impact as a result of deliberate and involuntary geophagy is increased by restrained
urban conditions in combination with the large proportion of the population living at low-income levels. Laboratory tests
have demonstrated that ingestion of Hg-polluted soil by rats results in significant alterations in animal health such as stagnation
in body weight increase, and significant mercury accumulation in the liver and kidney. The consumption of Hg-contaminated
urban soil also provoked changes in hematological profiles of experimental animals by increasing the number of platelets.
The present study indicates the potential for the local population of Rio Grande living in mercury-polluted districts, specifically
young children, to experience health disturbances. |
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