Proposal of an EPR based method for pollution level monitoring in mangrove sediments

Abstract

The objective of this study was the monitoring of the pollution level of underwater mangrove sediments using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and chemical analyses. EPR spectroscopy was useful to determine the presence of organic free radical semiquinone, as well as, to provide information about the presence of trivalent iron in diluted and concentrated or clustered dominion in the sediment samples spectra. It was concluded that by using EPR and NIR spectroscopy measurement, in the appropriate spectral range, it was possible to nondestructively assess the environmental pollution level of coastline underwater mangrove sediments. Though, in a relatively small period of time, the authorities can take the necessary decisions to avoid environmental damages. ©2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.