Skip to main content
Log in

Heavy metals in sediments from different environments of a northern Adriatic Sea area, Italy

  • Published:
Environmental Geology and Water Sciences

Abstract

Sediments from different environments of an area directly affected by the discharge of the Po River and 13 other minor rivers have been studied. Three main sources of metals and several distribution mechanisms can be identified. Concentration profiles of metals in a core allow one to establish background levels of finegrained sediments for Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn Seabed sediments do not appear to be very polluted, mainly because of desorption and dilution processes

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Aloisi, J. C., and A. Monaco, 1975, La sedimentation infralitoral: Les prodeltas nord-mediterranées: C.R. Acad. Paris, v. 280, p. D2833-D2836.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anconelli, M. T., C. Baldrati, and W Vandini, 1980, Studio composito sull’inquinamento da mercurio ed altri oligoelementi nelle valli ravennati (piallasse). Acqua e Aria, v. 10, p. 1323–1331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avanzi, P., 1976, Idrologia dell’Adige.in Risultati delle ricerche fino al 1975 sul litorale alla foce del fiume Adige: CNR-Gruppo litorali, p. 12–16.

  • Benetti, E., A. Bernardini, G. Paoloni, L. Mazzarini, S. Savini, and E. Comunian, 1979, Contenuto in metalli pesanti delle acque di mare e dei sedimenti delle coste della provincia di Ancona. Nota l. Ricerca del Rame, Zinco, Piombo, Nichel, Cadmio e Mercurio: Inquinamento, v. 21, p. 31–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmody, D J, J B. Pearce, and W. E. Yasso, 1973, Trace metals in sediments of New York Bight: Mar. Pollut. Bull., v. 4, p. 132–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciabatti, M., 1967, Ricerche sull’evoluzione del delta padano: Giorn. Geol., v. 34, p. 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciabatti, M., R. S. F. Frascari, and F. Marabini, 1974, Application of factor analysis to the sediments of Basson and Canarin lagoons and seafloor in front of the Po river delta (Italy): Giorn. Geol., v. 39, p. 551–572.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colantoni, P., P. Gallignani, and R. Lenaz, 1979, Late Pleistocene and Holocene evolution of the North Adriatic continental shelf: Mar. Geol., v. 33, p. M41-M50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dazzi, R., G. Galeati, F. Toffolo, and M. Tommasino, 1983, Evoluzione stagionale estiva del bilancio di massa della zona marina antistante il delta del Po, nel quadro della circolazione generale dell’Adriatico: Atti V Congr. Naz. A.I.O.L., Stresa, May 19–22, 1982, p. 337–406.

  • De Rosa, S., V. Damiani, and F. Serena, 1983, Studio dei sedimenti, del Golfo di Pozzuoli: 2) Livelli di contaminazione da metalli pesanti: Atti V Congr Naz. A.I.O.L., Stresa, May 19–22, 1982, p. 437–447

  • Donazzolo, R., O. H. Merlin, L. M. Vitturi, A. A. Orio, B. Pavoni, G. Perin, and S. Rabitti, 1981, Heavy metal contamination in surface sediments from the Gulf of Venice, Italy: Mar Pollut. Bull., v. 12, p. 417–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frascari, F., M. Frignani, P. Giordani, S. Guerzoni, G. Rovatti, N. Ghedini, and C. Turci, 1979, Ricerche chimiche e sedimentologiche sull’inquinamento dei sedimenti dell’area di mare antistante il delta del Po: Atti Conv. Scient. Naz. P.F. Oceanografia e Fondi Marini, Rome, CNR ed., p. 987–999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frignani, M., F. Frascari, G. Quarantotto, and R. Poletti, 1978, Trace heavy metals in Adriatic sea sediments off the Italian coast from Pesaro to the Po delta: Giorn. Geol, v. 43, p. 21–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazzi, P., G. G. Zuffa, G. Gandolfi and L. Paganelli, 1973, Provenienza e dispersione litoranea delle sabbie delle spiagge adriatiche fra le foci dell’Isonzo e del Foglia: inquadramento regionale: Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., v. 12, p. 1–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giordani, P., and L. Agiolini, 1983, Chemical parameters characterizing the sedimentary environment in a NW Adriatic coastal area (Italy): Estuar. Coastal Shelf Sci. v. 17, p. 153–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grancini, G., and B. Cescon, 1973, Dispersal processes of freshwaters in the Po River costal area: Limnol. Oceanogr., v. 18, p. 705–710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harman, H. H., 1960, Modern factor analysis: Chicago, University Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hitchon, B., G. K. Billings, and J. E. Klovan, 1971, Geochemistry and origin of formation waters in the western Canada sedimentary basin. III. Factors controlling chemical composition: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v. 35, p. 567–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imbrie, J., 1963, Factor and vector analysis programs for analyzing geologic data: Office Nav Res., Geography Branch, Techn. Rep. 6, ONR task n. 389–135.

  • IDROSER, 1981, Piano progettuale per la difesa della costa emilanoromagnola: Bologna, Relaz. Gen., Regione Emilia-Romagna.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosta, L., U. Ravnik, A. R. Byrne, J. Stirn, M. Dermelj, and P. Stegnar, 1978, Some trace elements in the waters, marine organisms and sediments of the Adriatic by neutron activation analysis: J. Radioanalyt Chem., v. 44, p. 317–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marino, C M, and B. Pigorini, 1969, Datazione dei sedimenti recenti del mare Adriatico col metodo del Radiocarbonio: Atti Soc. Ital Sci. Nat., v. 109, p. 469–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, B. W., 1970, Hydrography, sediment dispersal and recent historical development of the Po river delta, Italy:in J. P. Morgan and R. H. Shaver, eds. Deltaic Sedimentation Modern and Ancient: S.E.P.M. Spec. Publ., v. 15, p. 152–184.

  • Paul, J., and D. Meischner, 1976, Heavy metal analyses of sediments from the Adriatic Sea: Senckemb. Marit., v 8, p. 91–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapin, F., F. Fernex, P. Y., Favarger, J. P. Vernet, and E. Van Dievoet, 1979, Répartition du mercure dans les sédiments marins superficiels du plateau continental de la Côte d’Azur (France, Méditerranée): Rev. Int. Océanogr. Méd v. 53–54, p. 41–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renfro, W. C., and B. Oregioni, 1974, Metal concentration in nearshore Mediterranean sediments: Vienna, I.A.E.A. Techn. Rep. no. 163, p. 129–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selli, R., M. Frignani, and P. Giordani, 1977, In Aspetti scientifici dell’inquinamento dei mari italiani: Atti Conv Lincei, v 31, p. 169–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, F. P., 1954, Nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios: J. Sediment Petrol., v. 24, p. 151–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, D., 1966 Factors affecting element distributions in a Silurian graptolite band: Chem. Geol., v. 1, p. 221–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stirn, J., A. Avcin, J. Cencelj, M. Dorer, S. Gomiscek, S. Kveder, A. Malej, D. Meischner, I. Nozina, J. Paul, and P. Tusnik, 1974, Pollution problems of the Adriatic Sea: An interdisciplinary approach: Rev. Intern Océanogr Méd., v. 35–36, p. 21–78.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guerzoni, S., Frignani, M., Giordani, P. et al. Heavy metals in sediments from different environments of a northern Adriatic Sea area, Italy. Environ. Geol. Water Sci 6, 111–119 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02509917

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02509917

Keywords

Navigation