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An assessment of contamination of the Fusaro Lagoon (Campania Province, southern Italy) by trace metals

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Abstract

The Fusaro Lagoon is a shallow lagoon, located in SW Italy, largely influenced in the last decades by several anthropic impacts. The study examined the pollution status of the lagoon, during year 2011–2012 at nine sampling stations with the aim to find out proper measurements of water lagoon restoration. Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) (aluminium [Al], barium [Ba], cadmium [Cd], copper [Cu], iron [Fe], manganese [Mn], vanadium [V] and zinc [Zn]) were examined in water, sediments and specimens of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis sp. A. Low levels of dissolved oxygen concentration were detected at many stations, with mean values of 5.2–6.4 mg L−1. The redox potential of surface waters was also low, −2.7 to 50.7 mV. Sediments possessed high organic matter content, 17.7–29.4 %. In sediments, the mean Zn level, 251.4 mg kg−1, was about sixfold higher than that recorded in year 2000 (38.5 mg kg−1) and considerably higher than that recorded in 2007 (191 mg kg−1). The mean levels of Cd were outstandingly high, with a mean value of 70.5 mg kg−1, about 30- and 50-fold higher than those determined in 2000 and 2007, respectively. Cadmium (Cd), Cu and nickel (Ni) appeared in excess with respect to most current guidelines, reaching significant pollution levels. C. intestinalis sp. A was detected only at few stations, with metals accumulated preferentially in the body in respect to the tunic, from 1.2 times for Zn (178 mg kg−1) to 4.0 times for V (304 mg kg−1). Data suggests the necessity of an immediate action of eco-compatible interventions for environmental restoration.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the mayor and the personnel of the technical office of the local municipality of Bacoli for providing assistance in sample collection. The reasons of the study are the pressing needs of environmental restoration on the sites selected.

Conflict of interest

We state that we do not have any financial relationship with sponsoring organization, and we declare that we do not have conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hearth Science, Environment and Resources, University of Naples Federico II, Largo San Marcellino 10, 80138, Naples, Italy

    M. Arienzo

  2. Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy

    F. Toscano, L. Caputi & P. Sordino

  3. Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Montesantangelo, via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy

    M. Di Fraia & L. Ferrara

  4. CNR ISAFOM - Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean, Str. le Lancia, Blocco Palma I, Zona Industriale, 95121, Catania, Italy

    P. Sordino

  5. Laboratori di Igiene: Acque, Alimenti e Ambiente, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126, Napoli, Italy

    M. Guida & F. Aliberti

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  1. M. Arienzo
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Correspondence to M. Arienzo.

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Arienzo, M., Toscano, F., Di Fraia, M. et al. An assessment of contamination of the Fusaro Lagoon (Campania Province, southern Italy) by trace metals. Environ Monit Assess 186, 5731–5747 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3816-4

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