Thesis (PhD (Botany and Zoology))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Metal pollution is a problem of increasing global concern. It could arise from industrial activities, as well as pesticide use in agriculture, among other sources. For adequate protection of the soil ecosystem from metal toxicity, the bioavailability of metals must be properly evaluated. A plethora of soil factors affect the bioavailability of metals to soil organisms. These include pH, clay and organic matter contents, salinity among others. While much is known about the influence of some of these parameters, little is known on how clay content and salinity modify the bioavailability of metals to soil organisms. This study investigated the influence of clay content and salinity on partitioning, uptake and toxicity of two essential metals (Cu and Zn) to the earthworm Eisenia fetida in separate laboratory trials. Partitioning of the metals was evaluated with 0.01 M CaCl2, DTPA (di-ethylene-triamine-penta acetic acid), and nitric acid extractions. The metal content of worms was determined by acid digestion, while growth, cocoon production, and mortality were used as endpoints showing toxicity to metals and/or salinity. To test the validity of some of the laboratory results, a field study was undertaken, using the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa. Further, the study assessed the effect of salinity, using a battery of laboratory tests (acute, chronic and avoidance tests) with natural and/or artificial soils on four species of organisms (a collembolan Folsomia candida, a potworm Enchytraeus doerjesi and two earthworm species E. fetida and A. caliginosa), representing different feeding patterns and ecological roles in soil. Results showed that with increased clay content, there was increased availability of Cu in the substrate, and increased toxicity to E. fetida as shown by data for mortality and growth. The situation with Zn was less significant at sub-lethal concentrations but much so at lethal concentrations. DTPA and CaCl2 extracted metals revealed changes in partitioning of Cu and Zn with changes in clay content, but this trend was not always consistent. Both DTPA and CaCl2 revealed increased availability of Zn in substrates with increased salinity. Salinity had an additive to synergistic effect with Zn in toxicity to E. fetida. When combined with Cu, salinity also increased the availability of Cu as shown by CaCl2 extracted fraction, and had additive effect on toxicity of Cu to the earthworm. The field study did not succeed in in iv confirming the results of the laboratory study due to confounding role of flooding after heavy rainfall and subsequent leaching of salts and Cu. The results of the experiment on acute and chronic toxicity tests for NaCl on E. fetida showed LC50 of 5436 mg/kg NaCl and EC50 for growth and cocoon production of 4985 and 2020 mg/kg NaCl. These values showed that earthworms might be negatively affected in many soils containing fairly moderate concentrations of salts. Similarly, A. caliginosa could not survive in natural soil containing relatively low salt concentrations (EC = 1.62 dS/m) while reproduction was severely affected at lower EC value of 0.52 dS/m. F. candida and E. doerjesi could survive in the highest salinity soil (EC = 1.62 dS/m) used in this study but their reproduction was severely affected from 1.03 dS/m. Overall, it appears that of all the taxa used, earthworm species were the most sensitive to saline stress and could proof useful in determining ‘safe levels’ of salt in contaminated soils. The results of the avoidance test showed that A. caliginosa avoided both natural and artificial saline soil containing concentrations lower than those avoided by E. fetida. The conclusion is that the influence of clay content and salinity on the bioavailability of Cu and Zn depends largely on the metal in question, but generally speaking, bioavailability and toxicity of the metals were reduced with increased clay content while the opposite was true for salinity. If the species used in this study can be seen as fairly representative of a wide range of soil organisms, the conclusion is that salinisation of soil will be detrimental to most soil organisms at relatively low saline concentrations. Given the role of beneficial soil organisms in several soil processes which in turn contribute to soil fertility and sustainable use of land, it is recommended that any farming practices that may lead to an increase in salt content of agricultural soils should be discouraged. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Metaalbesoedeling is ‘n probleem wat toenemende globale kommer veroorsaak. Dit kan ontstaan as gevolg van industriële aktiwiteite sowel as van plaagmiddelgebruik in die landbou en ander bronne.Ten einde die grondekostelsel genoegsaam te beskerm, moet die biobeskikbaarheid van metale ge-evalueer word. ‘n Verskeidenheid van grondfaktore be-invloed die biobeskikbaarheid van metale vir grondorganismes Hulle sluit onder andere in pH, klei, organiese inhoud en soutgehalte. Hoewel heelwat bekend is oor die rol van sommige van hierdie parameters, is min bekend oor hoe klei en soutgehalte die biobeskikbaarheid van metale vir grondorganismes kan modifieer. Hierdie studie het die invloed van kleiinhoud and soutgehalte op die verdeling/partisie, opname en toksisiteit van twee essensiële metale (Cu en Zn) vir die erdwurm Eisenia fetida in afsonderlike laboratoriumproewe ondersoek. Kompartementele verdeling van die metale is geevalueer deur middel van ekstraksie-metodes met 0.01 M CaCl2, DTPA (di-etileentriamien- penta asysnsuur), en salpertersuur ekstraksies. Die metaalinhoud van wurms is bepaal deur suurverterings en spektrofotometriese analises te doen terwyl groei, kokonproduksie en mortaliteit van organismes gebruik is as gevoeligheidseindpunte om toksisiteit van metale en soutgehalte aan te toon. Om die geldigheid van somige van die laboratoriumresultate te toets, is ‘n veldstudie ook onderneem met die erdwurm Aporrectodea caliginosa. Die effek van soutgehalte is verder ondersoek deur ‘n battery van laboratoriumtoetse met vier spesies (‘n kollembool Folsomia candida,’n potwurm Enchytraeus doerjesi en twee erdwurmspesies E. fetida en A. caliginosa), wat verskillende voedingspatrone verteenwoordig. Die resultate het getoon dat met toenmende klei-inhoud was daar ‘n toename in die beskikbaarheid van Cu vir opname vanuit die substraat, asook ‘n toename in toksisiteit vir E. fetida soos deur die gegewens vir mortaliteit en groei uitgewys. Die situasie met Zn was minder betekenisvol by subletale konsentrasies en selfs baie minder so by letale konsentrasies. DTPA en CaCl2 ge-ekstraheerde metale het veranderinge in die partisie/verdeling van Cu en Zn uitgewys met verandering in klei-inhoud, maar die tendens was nie altyd konstant nie. Beide DTPA en CaCl2 ekstraksie het toenemende beskikbaarheid van Zn in substrate uitgewys met toenemende soutinhoud. Soutinhoud het ‘n additiewe/toegevoegde tot sinergistiese vi toksisiteitseffek saam met Zn vir E. fetida. In kombinasie met Cu het soutgehalte ook die geskatte biobeskikbaarheid van Cu verhoog soos uitgewys deur die CaCl2, geekstraheerde fraksie, en het ‘n additiewe effek gehad op die toksisitiet van Cu vir die erdwurm. Die veldstudie kon nie die resultate van die laboratoriumstudie bevestig nie weens die belemmerende rol van vloede na swaar reënneerslae en daaropvolgende uitloging van soute en Cu. Die resultate van die eksperimentele ondersoek na die akute en chroniese effekte van NaCl op E. fetida het ‘n LC50 van 5436 mg/kg NaCl en EC50 vir groei en kokonproduksie van 4985 en 2020 mg/kg NaCl opgelewer. Hierdie waardes het aangetoon dat erdwurms moontlik negatief beinvloed kan word in baie gronde wat ‘n redelike gemiddelde konsentrasie van soute bevat. Soortgelyk kon A. caliginosa nie oorleef in natuurllike grond wat relatief lae soutkonsentrasies bevat het (EC=1.62 dS/m) nie terwyl voortplanting sterk ge-affekteer is by ‘n lae EC waarde van 0.52 dS/m. F. candida en E. doerjesi kon oorleef in die grond met die hoogste soutgehalte (EC= 1.62 dS/m) maar hulle voortplanting is ernstig geknou vanaf 1.03 dS/m. In geheel blyk dit dat van allle taksa wat gebruik is, erdwurms die sensitiefste was vir die stres wat deur soutgehalte veroorsaak is. Die kennis kan nuttig wees in die bepaling van “veilige vlakke” van sout in gekontamineerde gronde. Die resultate van die vermydingstoetse het getoon dat A. caliginosa beide natuurlike en kunsmatig versoute gronde vermy het by konsentrasies wat heelwat laer was as dié wat deur E. fetida vermy is Die gevolgtrekking is dat die invloed van klei en soutgehalte op die biobeskikbaarheid van Cu en Zn grootliks afhanklik is van die metale wat betrokke is en dat biobeskikbaarheid en toksisiteit normaalweg verminder het met verhoogde klei-inhoud, met die teenoorgestelde wat waar was in die geval van soutgehalte. Indien die spesies wat in die studie gebruik is beskou kan word as redelik verteenwoordigend van ‘n wye reeks van grondorganismes, is die gevolgtrekking dat versouting van gronde nadelig sal wees vir meeste grondorganismes, selfs by relatief lae soutkonsentrasies. In die lig van die rol wat nuttige grondorganismes speel in verskeie grondprosesse wat bydraend is tot grondvrugbaarheid en volhoubare gebruik van gronde, word dit aanbeveel dat enige boerderypraktyk wat mag lei tot verhoging van die soutinhoud van landbougronde ontmoedig moet word.

published_or_final_version / Geography and Geology / Master / Master of Philosophy

M.Sc. / The increase in industrialisation, mining and agricultural activity along rivers could have a detrimental effect on aquatic environments unless the dangers of pollutants are not taken notice of. Metal ions and industrial effluent have become a source of pollution in the watercourses of South Africa. Pollutants generally have negative effects on the physiology of aquatic biota in polluted waters. The effects of copper and industrial effluent by the exposure of the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis and Tilapia sparrmanii are presented in this study. An experimental static-renewal system with an exposure time of 96 hours was followed at 25±1°C. After copper and effluent exposure, several physiological changes occurred in the two aquatic organisms. The sublethal effects that occurred include changes in hatching, survival, behaviour, growth impairment and developmental limitations. The results of the present study suggest that lethal endpoints can be used as indicators in detecting and evaluating the effects of aquatic pollution, caused by copper and effluent. Individual variation, however, could hamper the conclusions made but the study of aquatic organisms is of practical importance when conducting experimental studies in a laboratory and does not have the same impact as during field studies. Apart from the exposure to sublethal concentrations of copper and effluent, computational derivations of LC50, NOEC values and 95% confidence limits were made. The obtained concentrations were used as assumptions that pollutants should not exceed for the protection of aquatic life. Statistically different differences were found between the chosen derived variables of control and experimental organisms. The advantages of FETAX solution over borehole water can be attributed to the bioavailability of pollutants, which appears to be much less in those solutions. The predicted NOEC values provide some information regarding the concentrations at which no effects will be observed and the Target Water Quality Ranges (TWGR) for water were used to determine if the diluent was correct.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Global shortage of fresh quality water has led to the use of treated wastewater in arid and semi-arid regions. Although, the treated wastewater has proven to be the best solution in ameliorating pressures brought by water shortage, it contains toxic heavy metals, some in high concentrations that could possibly pose health risks and degrade soil quality. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to determine the vertical and horizontal distribution of bioavailable heavy metals on virgin, cultivated and fallowed fields and to investigate the bioremediation abilities of selected soil microbes on non-essential heavy metals in cultivated and fallowed soils following irrigation with treated wastewater at University of Limpopo (UL) Experimental Farm. Three fields, namely, virgin field (VF), cultivated field (CF) and fallowed field (FF), each being 6.4 ha, were each divided into 40 equal grids, equivalent to 40 m × 40 m, which were used in vertical assessment of heavy metals. Soil profiles were established inside each grid and soil samples collected at 0-20; 20-40 and 40-60 cm soil depth for further laboratory analysis. The soil samples were analyzed for basic soil physico-chemicals, namely, particle size distribution, soil pH (H20 and KCl), electrical conductivity (EC), reduction potential (Eh), organic carbon (OC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Five essential heavy metals namely zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and five non-essential heavy metals, namely, arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), aluminium (Al), and cadmium (Cd), were also extracted from the soil samples. Heavy metal resistant Gram-negative (–) and Gram-positive (+) bacteria were isolated from the soil and identified as Providencia rettgeri (–), Enterobacter cloacae (–), Bacillus cereus (+) and Arthrobacter aurescens (+). xix The isolated bacteria were cultured and inoculated in heavy metal-contaminated soils and incubated for 12 weeks to bioremediate the non-essential heavy metals. Results obtained suggested that the treatments had no significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on vertical distribution of all the essential and non-essential heavy metals among the three fields. However, on average Co was above the permissible level at 53 mg/kg in CF at 0-20 cm and although all the other essential heavy metals increased, they were still within the permissible levels. The concentration of As was also above the permissible levels in CF with an average concentration of 4.30 mg/kg. Cadmium levels were also above the permissible levels in CF with an average concentration of 1.146 mg/kg in CF and this increased by 0.46 units from VF which had an average value of 1 mg/kg. However, fallowing reduced Cd to 0.51 mg/kg which was below or within the expected limits in soil previously irrigated with treated waste water. Gram-positive bacteria reduced more concentrations of non-essential heavy metals separately and combined, especially in the fallowed field. Irrigation with treated wastewater has shown to have both negative and positive effects on the concentration of essential and non-essential heavy metals in cultivated and fallowed fields. Bioremediation coupled with fallowing has been proven to be the best solution in ameliorating heavy metal toxicity while naturally improving the quality of the soil. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

This thesis is part of a broader project that examines three different approaches to evaluating trace metal contamination in urban brownfields: the measure of total soil metals; calculating bioavailable metals; and the use of species as bioindicators of trace metals in soils. Chapter 1 discusses the problems inherent in each approach such as; inconsistent results due to differences in techniques, extrapolation from laboratory to field, and the influence of species differences and environmental conditions. Chapter 2 is a site description measuring biodiversity, community structure and activity of three urban brownfields. The site description was used to select organisms that were subsequently evaluated for their usefulness as bioindicators of trace metals (chapter 3). Of the three plant species used (dandelion, bladder campion, and chicory), dandelion has the possibility of being a suitable bioindicator of Cd, Ni, and Zn, while bladder campion may be suitable for evaluating Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn.

Microphytobenthos (MPB), a mixed community of microscopic, photosynthetic organisms, algae and cyanobacteria, inhabiting the top few millimetres of bottom sediment, is a key component of intertidal mudflats. It accounts for a significant proportion of estuarine primary production, forms the base of the food chain and influences sediment distribution and resuspension (through production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)). Diatoms dominate the microphytobenthos community in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Estuarine sediments, are a sink for metal contaminants derived from fluvial, marine and atmospheric sources. Whilst metal releases to estuaries have declined in recent years due to increased regulation and declining industrial activity, metals previously discharged and which are now locked up in saltmarsh sediments remain a concern. For example, there are indications that saltmarshes are already being eroded, due to climate change related sea level rise, in some locations. This erosion may result in the redistribution of historically contaminated sediment to locations, such as the mudflats, where it is more available to biota, such as the MPB. In addition to causing redistribution, climate change effects, such as increasing temperatures and storminess, may also alter the bioavailability of metals to MPB. Increased concentrations of metals within the MPB could potentially increase their transfer to higher organisms through the food chain with potential impacts for biota. Whilst planktonic algae have been well studied with respect to metal uptake from the water column, there has been little research involving MPB and uptake of metals from sediment. The extent to which contaminant uptake by microphytobenthic algae occurs and under what conditions is therefore poorly understood. The research presented uses laboratory, mesocosm and field studies, to gain an understanding of processes governing metal bioavailability and mechanisms for uptake from sediment to the diatoms of the MPB under the complex and variable conditions of intertidal mudflats. A laboratory study using a single diatom species Cylindrotheca closterium found that uptake of cadmium (Cd) varied with sediment properties revealing the importance of sediment particle size and organic matter content in metal bioavailability to diatoms. Additionally, this study showed that the presence of diatoms altered Cd partitioning between sediment, overlying and pore water. Specifically there was an increase in Cd in the overlying and pore water when diatoms were present, indicating that diatoms mobilise metals from the sediment to the water column potentially increasing metal bioavailability to other biota. A study was conducted using an intertidal mesocosm to increase the realism of the study system and examine uptake to a natural MPB community. Diatoms were found to have higher concentrations of all the metals analysed (except tin) than other types of algae (filamentous and sheet macroalgae), confirming their importance as a study organism with respect to metal uptake and potential mobilisation through the food chain. Sediment disturbance was shown to increase metal uptake (iron, aluminium, vanadium and lead) from the sediment to algae. This is of concern due to predicted increases in storminess which are likely to increase sediment disturbance, with the likelihood that uptake of metals to diatoms will increase in the future. However, there were also indications of an antagonistic effect of temperature on disturbance, whilst disturbance increased bioavailability and uptake, increasing temperatures reduced uptake of some metals. This highlights the importance of considering the effects of multiple stressors in complex systems. Field studies showed that concentrations of some metals were related to their position on the mudflat whilst others were related to sampling date, indicating that there may be seasonal controls, such as to the presence of greater diatom biomass in spring and autumn, on metal uptake from the sediment. The research conducted has increased understanding of metal uptake to microphytobenthic diatoms from sediment and the influence they have in transferring metals from sediment to water, however the research also raises a number of new questions. For example, there appeared to be a link between sediment organic matter content and bioavailability of metals to diatoms, although the relative contribution of the diatoms, other algae, cyanobacteria and EPS to the sediment organic matter warrants further investigation. Furthermore, it has shown that the use of laboratory and mesocosm studies for this type of research can produce similar outcomes to those observed in the field but under more controlled and easily manipulated conditions, although field studies will continue to be vital in improving understanding of metals availability and transfer.

Excessive release of metals and metalloids into the environment is a major global environmental concern and there is need for environmentally friendly and cost effective methods for their removal. The present study investigated the adsorptive removal of zinc, lead, copper and nickel ions from synthetic aqueous solutions and various metals from three acid mine drainage (AMD) sites using chicken eggshells. Process parameters including the initial metal concentration were evaluated and the optimum conditions obtained were pH 7, adsorbent dose of 7 g and contact time of 360 minutes (for the removal of 100ppm metal ions). Under these conditions the percentage adsorptions were; 97% for lead, 95% for copper, 94% for nickel and 80% for zinc. Aluminium, iron, potassium, nickel and zinc ions all had percentage adsorptions above 75% in AMD Sample 1. Potassium had a 98.78% adsorption while magnesium, strontium and zinc had 72.33; 68.75 and 53.07% adsorption respectively in Sample 2. Arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, antimony and tellurium ions were above 75% for Sample 3. The study demonstrated the efficacy of chicken eggshells and presents it as a viable low-cost adsorbent for bioremediation. / Environmental Science / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MTech (Physical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005. / A research study into heavy metals in the Cape Town area, found significant amounts of potentially toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium and iron leaching into the underground aquifer. A further additional study conducted on a community garden in Khayelitsha, showed that vegetable crops have the tendency to accumulate certain heavy metals if they are present in soil and water resources. This study was centered around the Philippi Horticultural Area, which is a large significant farming area within the Cape Metropolitan Region. The significance of the study lies in the fact that at least 50% of the local farmers' produce is sold directly to street traders, residents, local supermarket-chains and restaurants. The remainder of the produce is sold at the Epping Market. The purpose of this study was to investigate heavy metal accumulation in various vegetable crop species taken from some of the local farms in the Phillipi Farming area with the objective to: • investigate heavy metal accumulation in various vegetable crop species taken from some local farms in the Phillipi Farming area. • determine the concentrations of heavy metals present in water and soil resource since these will be the primary source of heavy metals to the vegetables. • determine the soil pH and soil organic matter as these two factors would determine the bie-availability ofthe heavy metals. • identify those crops that pose a definite health risk by means of comparing the determined results to the allowed limits.

Removal of nitrogenous compounds from precious metal refinery (PMR) wastewater is important in terms of avoiding eutrophication (environmental protection), metal recovery (increased overall process efficiency and value recovery) and reuse of treated water (maximum use of natural resources). Extreme pH conditions (4 to 13 depending on the wastewater stream), high chemical oxygen demand (> 10,000 mg/I), numerous metals and high concentrations of those metals (> 20 mg/l of platinum group metals) in the wastewater are the main challenges for biological removal of nitrogenous compounds from PMR wastewater. Nitrogenous compounds such as NH₄⁺-N and N0₃-N are strong metal ligands, which make it difficult to recover metals from the wastewater. Therefore, a bioprocess was developed for removal of nitrogenous compounds from carefully simulated PMR wastewater. A preliminary investigation of metal wastewater was carried out to determine its composition and physico-chemical properties, the ability to nitrify and denitrify under different pH conditions and denitrification with different carbon Source compounds and amounts. Even at pH 4, nitrification could be carried out. A suitable hydraulic retention time was found to be 72 hours. There was no significant difference between sodium acetate and sodium lactate as carbon sources for denitrification. Based on these results, a reactor comparison study was carried out using simulated PMR wastewater in three types of reactors: continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR), packed-bed reactor (PBR) and airlift suspension reactor (ALSR). These reactors were fed with 30 mg/l of Rh bound in an NH₄⁺ based compound (Claus salt: pentaaminechlororhodium (III) dichloride). Total nitrogen removal efficiencies of > 68 % , > 79 % and > 45 % were obtained in the CSTR, PBR and ALSR, respectively. Serially connected CSTR-PBR and PBR-CSTR reactor configurations were then studied to determine the best configuration for maximum removal of nitrogenous compounds from the wastewater. The PBR-CSTR configuration gave consistent biomass retention and automatic pH control in the CSTR. Ammonium removal efficiencies > 95 % were achieved in both reactors. As poor nitrate removal was observed a toxicity study was carried out using respirometry and the half saturation inhibition coefficients for Pt, Pd, Rh and Ru were found to be 15.81, 25.00, 33.34 and 39.25 mg/l, respectively. A mathematical model was developed to describe the nitrogen removal in PMR wastewater using activated sludge model number 1 (ASMl), two step nitrification and metal toxicity. An operational protocol was developed based on the literature review, experimental work and simulation results. The optimum reactor configuration under the set conditions (20 mg/I of Rh and < 100 mg/I of NH₄⁺-N) was found to be PBR-CSTR-PBR process, which achieved overall NH₄⁺-N and N0₃⁻-N removal efficiencies of > 90 % and 95 %, respectively. Finally, a rudimentary microbial characterisation was carried out on subsamples from the CSTR and PBRsecondary. It was found that the CSTR biomass consisted of both rods and cocci while PBRsecondary consisted of rods only. Based on these experimental works, further research needs and recommendations were made for optimisation of the developed bioprocess for removal of nitrogenous compounds from PMR wastewater.

Orientador: Silvana Moreira / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T06:30:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Souza_LucianaCarlaFerreirade_D.pdf: 23739098 bytes, checksum: 19ea527d066d2fff5ef81495ee85ff0f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O rápido crescimento urbano e industrial nas ultimas décadas provocou alterações no meio ambiente, dentre eles a poluição dos corpos d'água, principalmente por metais que podem causar danos a saúde humana. Os municípios de Campinas e Jaguariúna estão inseridos na Região Metropolitana de Campinas (RMC), uma das regiões mais dinâmicas no cenário econômico brasileiro. Portanto, visando estudar a influencia antropogenica das cidades, foi avaliada a qualidade do efluente bruto e tratado e, do lodo gerado na estação de tratamento de esgoto de Anhumas, no município de Campinas e na estação de tratamento Camanducaia no município de Jaguariúna, ambas no estado de São Paulo, principalmente no que se refere à contaminação por metais. As analises foram realizadas pela técnica de Fluorescência de Raios X por Reflexão Total com Radiação Sincrotron (SR-TXRF) e os resultados comparados com as legislações vigentes. Para o efluente tratado os dados foram comparados as legislações CONAMA 357 e 430 que estabelecem limites para o descarte de efluentes nos corpos d'água e todos os elementos Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ba e Pb apresentaram concentrações em conformidade com a legislação. Para o reuso na agricultura, cujos limites são definidos pela Instrução Técnica CETESB alguns dos elementos apresentaram concentrações acima do permitido e desta forma o efluente tratado não pode ser empregado para reuso. No caso do lodo os teores de Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ba e Pb foram comparados aos valores máximos permitidos das legislações CONAMA 357 e 430 e os teores de todos os elementos ficaram abaixo do valor Maximo permitido, e desta forma existe a possibilidade de aplicação do lodo no solo agrícola, para as duas estações de tratamento de esgoto estudadas, Anhumas (Campinas) e Camanducaia (Jaguariúna) / Abstract: The rapid urban and industrial growth in recent decades caused changes in the environment, including pollution of water bodies, mainly of metals that can cause harm to human health. The cities of Campinas and Jaguariuna are inserted in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (MRC), one of the most dynamic regions in the Brazilian economy. Therefore, to study the influence of anthropogenic citiesit was evaluated the quality of raw and treated wastewater and sludge generated in the wastewater treatment plant of Anhumas, in Campinas and the treatment plant in the municipality of Camanducaia Jaguariuna, both in state of Sao Paulo, particularly with regard to metal contamination. Analyses were performed by the technique of X-ray Fluorescence by Total Reflection with Synchrotron Radiation (SR-TXRF) and the results compared with existing laws. For the treated effluent data were compared laws CONAMA 357 and 430 that set limits for the discharge of effluents into water bodies and all the elements Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ba concentrations presented in accordance with legislation. To reuse in agriculture, whose limits are defined by the Technical Instruction CETESB some elements had concentrations above the permitted and thus the treated effluent can't be used for reuse. In the case of sludge contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ba and Pb were compared with maximum permissible values of the laws CONAMA 357 and 430 and the contents of all elements were below the maximum allowable value, and thus it is possible application of sludge to agricultural soil, for the two sewage treatment stations studied, Anhumas (Campinas) and Camanducaia (Jaguariuna) / Doutorado / Saneamento e Ambiente / Doutora em Engenharia Civil