Abstract.
The study of the geochemical composition of 52 samples of surface sediments from the Tinto and Odiel river estuary shows high concentration rates of Fe (11.21%), Cu (928 ppm), Zn (1,146 ppm), Pb (730 ppm) and Ba (660 ppm). High concentrations of metals are caused by the river contribution of sediments from areas with a high mining activity and from the industrial activity carried out on the estuary banks. Estuary sediments are divided into four groups: group 1, formed by low polluted siliciclastic gravel and sand; group 2 of highly polluted muddy sediments of river origin; group 3, formed by sandy muds of mixed origin with an average pollution rate; and group 4, formed by muddy sediments from the system's inner zones with an intermediate-high pollution rate. In all the cases the coefficients of metallic enrichment are high (superiors at 9), except for the Fe, indicating a high capacity of dispersion of the load metallic pollutant.
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Borrego, .J., Morales, .J., de la Torre, .M. et al. Geochemical characteristics of heavy metal pollution in surface sediments of the Tinto and Odiel river estuary (southwestern Spain). Env Geol 41, 785–796 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-001-0445-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-001-0445-3