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Trace-Metal Enrichment and Pollution in Coastal Sediments in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy

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Abstract

This study evaluated the distribution pattern and pollution of chromium, arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), nickel, lead, and copper in surface sediments along the northern Latium coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy. The enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, and potential toxicity response index were used to evaluate the degree of contamination. These results show As and Mn contamination. The high enrichment and contamination levels of As and Mn are located in two hot spots. These elevations are due to naturally high levels of As and Mn in the Mignone River and the Marangone Stream as well as the intense human activity in the area including the largest energy production site in Europe (Torrevaldaliga Nord coal-fired power plant) and of one of the most important ports for cruise traffic in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to the Port Authority of Civitavecchia for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Oceanology and Marine Ecology, DEB, Tuscia University, Molo Vespucci, Port of Civitavecchia, 00053, Civitavecchia, RM, Italy

    Daniele Piazzolla, Sergio Scanu, Francesco Manfredi Frattarelli, Emanuele Mancini, Francesco Tiralongo & Marco Marcelli

  2. Department of Biological, Geological and Enviromental Sciences, Catania University, 95124, Catania, Italy

    Maria Violetta Brundo, Daniele Tibullo & Roberta Pecoraro

  3. Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia,”, Catania University, 95123, Catania, Italy

    Chiara Copat & Margherita Ferrante

Authors
  1. Daniele Piazzolla
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  2. Sergio Scanu
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  3. Francesco Manfredi Frattarelli
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  4. Emanuele Mancini
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  5. Francesco Tiralongo
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  6. Maria Violetta Brundo
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  7. Daniele Tibullo
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  10. Margherita Ferrante
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  11. Marco Marcelli
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Correspondence to Daniele Piazzolla.

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Piazzolla, D., Scanu, S., Frattarelli, F.M. et al. Trace-Metal Enrichment and Pollution in Coastal Sediments in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 69, 470–481 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0166-3

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