Study of Mobility and Environmental Contamination by Chromium from Tannery Industry in two Streams in the Town of Dobrada in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Chromium is used in the leather tanning process. As a consequence, improper leather storage can impact the environment. This study has evaluated the mobility of chromium resulting from the disposal of leather trimmings and its influence on soil, water (surface water and underground water), and sediments in two streams in the town of Dobrada, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The streams are known locally as the Paixao Stream and the Dobrada Stream. The results obtained indicate that the soil, sediments, and water in the area studied were contaminated by chromium from tannery waste. Besides that the results showed that the decomposition of this waste modifies the pH and conductivity of the soil and water and changes the physical chemistry characteristics of the region. The results also revealed that chromium is available in the biotic environment and that its concentration is above the legal limit for the country.