Influence of natural radon and metal contamination on surface water quality from a Brazilian Semiarid Region

The Brazilian semiarid region presents some adverse environmental conditions for the settled population such as a restricted water availability and the presence of radon and metal natural sources that can contaminate the water reservoirs and consequently become a concern for human health. The present study evaluated the water quality of the Riacho das Cachoeiras Dam located in the urban area of Lajes Pintadas (state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) as source for human consumption. An analysis of Physicochemical parameters, heavy metal content and Radon in water samples was performed along with the assessment of the water mutagenic potential through Micronucleus Test (MN) on Tradescantia pallida and Oreochromis niloticus . The content of metals in water for Al, Cd, and Ni were above water quality guidelines for human consumption. Moreover, high levels of Pb along with dissolved Radon were found. An acute and chronic mutagenic water capability was observed. These findings demonstrated that the water quality is unsuitable for human consumption due to the presence of high levels of contaminants mainly from geogenic origin and its deleterious effect on living systems.