Mass balance of arsenic fluxes in rivers impacted by gold mining activities in Paracatu (Minas Gerais State, Brazil)

Arsenic (As) is a dangerous and carcinogenic element and drinking water is its main pathway of human exposure. Gold mines are widely recognized as important sources of As pollution. This work proposes the assessment of As distribution along watersheds surrounding “Morro do Ouro” gold mine (Paracatu, southeastern Brazil). A balance approach between filtered As fluxes (As 0.1 μm, colloidal 10 kDa, dissolved 1 kDa, and truly dissolved 0.1 μm) was almost one order higher to dissolved load (< 1 kDa).