Potentially toxic elements downward mobility in an impounded vehicle scrapyard

In Brazil impounded vehicle scrapyards (IVS) are often overcrowded and may pose a source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In this study, PTEs content in soil cores and groundwater of an IVS located at a municipality of the Sao Paulo metropolitan region was assessed. INAA, XRF and ICP-MS were the analytical techniques employed. PTEs results and statistical approaches indicated that As, Pb, Ni, Cu and Nb are mostly anthropic. Pb, Cu, Ni and Nb mass fraction increased with depth indicating some downward mobility. Arsenic may represent a moderate to very high potential ecological risk. PTEs groundwater levels were bellow drinking water recommendation limits. (author)