Immediate and long-term impacts of one of the worst mining tailing dam failure worldwide (Bento Rodrigues, Minas Gerais, Brazil)

The rupture of Fundão Dam is considered one of the largest environmental disasters in Brazilian history and one of the largest in the world involving tailings dams. The present study analyzed the changes in metal concentrations in the dissolved, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment in the period just after (15 days) and six months after the dam rupture, together with the biological and cytogenotoxic effects, from the collapse site until the Doce River mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. After the dam rupture, the tailings were mainly transported as SPM. After six months, with the deposition, there was a decrease in metal concentrations in dissolved and SPM and increased levels were observed in the sediment. Cr, Ni, Cd and Hg levels in sediment were higher than the threshold effects level (TEL/NOAA), especially six months after the dam rupture. The water induced immediate negative biological effects at different levels of the trophic chain, together with Al, Fe, Mn and Zn accumulation in fish muscle. Both water and sediment also showed cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects. These data demonstrate the importance of long-term monitoring with abiotic and biotic parameters to clarify the impacts of mining tailings and can help to direct future monitoring programs. [Display omitted] •The Fundão dam failure is one of the largest environmental disasters in the world.•Immediately the tailings were mainly transported as suspended particulate matter.•After 6 months, with the deposition, the metal levels increased in the sediment.•Water and sediment induced negative biological and toxicogenetic effects.•This joint of abiotic and biotic indicators can direct other monitoring programs.