Abstract
Surface sediments were collected in August 2009 from 49 sites along the Minho estuary (between Tui and Caminha) and analyzed for grain size, organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Ntot) contents, and major (silicon [Si], aluminum [Al], iron [Fe], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], potassium [K], titanium [Ti], and mangesese [Mn]) and trace element (arsenic [As], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], mercury [Hg], lithium [Li], lead [Pb], rubidium [Rb], tin [Sn], and zinc [Zn]) concentrations. Factor analysis was used to decrease 22 selected variables into 4 factors accounting for 85.9 % of the total variance explained, suggesting distinct elemental sources or sediment components affecting their spatial distributions. Although factors 1 (detrital component; elements strongly associated with fine- [Na, Mg, Ti, Li, Cr, Cu, Fe, Al, Zn, Ca, and As] and coarse-grained sediments [Si, K, Rb; mean grain-size [MGS]) and 3 (Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide sediment component; Fe, Mn, As, fine fraction) are interpreted as reflecting predominance of natural contributions, factors 2 (urban and industrial contamination: sediment components [Pb, Hg, organic carbon [Corg], total nitrogen [Ntot] and 4 (components associated with contamination by nautical activities; the association of tin [Sn] and calcium [Ca]) seem to indicate anthropogenic contributions). Nevertheless, the influence of elemental contributions derived from tungsten (W)–Sn mineralizations and those resulting from mining activities can also contribute to the obtained geochemical associations and should be considered. Spatial distribution of dominant factor scores shows the dominance of factors 2 and 4 between Tui and Vila Nova de Cerveira, whereas samples dominated by factors 3 and 1 are found between Ilha da Boega and Seixas and in the Caminha areas, respectively. Despite the dominance of factor score 1 in the Caminha area, the distribution pattern of dominant factor scores shows samples dominated by other factor scores that can be explained by dredging activities in this river sector that restore ancient sedimentary characteristics or expose contaminated sediments. Through the identification of sample locations dominated by factors associated with contamination, it will be possible to select them as priority areas where new environmental (e.g., toxicity tests, organic Sn compounds, tracers of sewage contamination) studies should be implemented in the future.
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Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the Natura Miño-Minho Project (0234 NATURA MIÑO_MINHO_1_E, North Portugal-Galicia Spain Territorial Cooperation Program [POCTEP] 2007–2013). We express our thanks to the crew of the RV Leopard Atlantic for their efficient work during the collection of sediment samples. A special acknowledge to Carlos Antunes for allowing access to the Aquamuseu laboratory (storage and sampling of surface sediments during the Minho09 cruise). Special thanks for all UGM-LNEG collaborators (Ana Aranda, Andreia Rebotim, Catarina Cavaleiro, Célia Santos, Cremilde Monteiro, Daniel Ferreira, Fátima Abrantes, Henrique Duarte, Rúben Borges, Sandra Mateus, Teresa Rodrigues, and Warley Soares) who participated in the Minho09 cruise and help in laboratorial work. We thank two anonymous reviewers for constructive suggestions and comments that improved the original version of the manuscript.
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Mil-Homens, M., Costa, A.M., Fonseca, S. et al. Characterization of Heavy-Metal Contamination in Surface Sediments of the Minho River Estuary by way of Factor Analysis. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 64, 617–631 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9861-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-012-9861-5