Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heavy metals and metalloids in sediments from the Llobregat basin, Spain

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

The concentration of heavy metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn) in sediments from the River Llobregat and its tributaries (Anoia and Cardener) was studied. Samples collected at 17 locations during four different periods were analysed by ICP-MS. The heavy metal enrichment at some sites along the rivers reflects the effects of agricultural activities, sewage treatment plant effluents, collectors' discharges and industrial activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to describe trends in contamination and to find groupings among the investigated areas. The Llobregat and Cardener sediments appeared to have features of an unpolluted river, even though significant amounts of domestic and industrial wastewater are discharged into these rivers. On the other hand, the sediments from the River Anoia showed high Cr and Hg levels originating from industrial activities. The concentrations of Cr and Hg ranged from 91–540 and 0.28–2.29 μg/g respectively.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Belkin HE, Spark HM (1993) Mercury, arsenic, antimony and selenium contents of sediments from the Kuskokwim River, USA. Environ Geol 22:106–110

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bilos C, Colombo JC, Rodriguez MJ (1998) Trace metals in suspended particles, sediments and Asiatic clams of the Rio de la Plata Estuary, Argentina. Environ Pollut 99:1–11

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borras JM, Gonzalez MP, Martin J (1993) Atlas de Catalunya. Geografia comarcal, universal, històrica. Bibliograf SA, Barcelona

  • Bubb EM, Lester J (1994) Anthropogenic heavy metal inputs to lowland river systems, a case study. The River Stour, UK. Water Air Soil Pollut 78:279–296

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casas JM, Rubió R, Rauret G (1990a) Estudio de los sedimentos del rio Cardener. Contaminación por metales pesados. Tecno Agua 74:17–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Casas JM, Rubió R, Rauret G (1990b) Optimizacion simplex del ataque ácido de sedimentos fluviales para la determinación de plomo. Quím Anal 9:163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Crommentjuijn TM, Polder MD, Van de Plassche EJ (1997) Maximum permissible concentrations and negligible concentrations for metals, taking background concentration into account. RIVM Rep 601501001. National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands, pp 1–260

  • Devok VM, Araujo F, Van Grieken R, Subramanian V (1997) Chemical composition of sediments and suspended matter from the Cauvery and Brahmaputra Rivers (India). Science Total Environ 212:80–105

    Google Scholar 

  • European Union (1979) Council Directive 79/409/EEC, of 2 April 1979, on the conservation of wild birds. EU, Brussels

  • European Union (1998) Council Directive 98/83/EC, of 3 November 1998, on the quality of water intended for human consumption. EU, Brussels

  • Facetti J, Dekov VM, Van Grieken R (1998) Heavy metals in sediments from the Paraguay River: a preliminary study. Sci Total Environ 209:79–86

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Förstner U, Wittmann GTW (1981) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment, 2nd edn. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

  • Fuchs S, Haritopolou T, Schäfer M, Wilhelmi M (1997) Heavy metals in freshwater ecosystems introduced by urban rainwater runoff—monitoring of suspended solids river sediments and biofilms. Water Sci Technol 36:277–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gallart GF (1991) Estudi geomorfologic de la conca d'Odena. Revista d'Arqueologia, Prehistoria i Historia Antiga. Secció d'Arqueologia del Centre d'Estudis Comarcals d'Igualada, Barcelona, 45 pp

  • Garban B, Ollivion D, Carru AM, Chesterikoff A (1996) Origin, retention and release of trace metals from sediments of the River Seine. Water Air Soil Pollut 87:363–381

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long GL, Winefordner JD (1983) Limit of detection. Anal Chem 55:712–724

    Google Scholar 

  • Prieto G (1998) Geochemistry of heavy metals derived from gold-bearing sulphide minerals in the Marmato district (Colombia). J Geochem Explor 64:215–222

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puig P, Palanques A, Sanchez-Cabrera JA, Masqué P (1999) Heavy metals in particulate matter and sediments in the southern Barcelona sedimentation system (north-western Mediterranean). Mar Chem 63:311–329

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramamoorthy S, Rust BR (1978) Heavy metals exchange processes in sediment water systems. Environ Geol 2:165–172

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubio R, López-Sanchez JF, Rauret G (1991) La especiación sólida de trazas de metales en sedimentos. Aplicación a sedimentos muy contaminados. Anal Quím 87:599–605

    Google Scholar 

  • Salomons W, Förstner U (1984) Metals in the hydrocycle. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

  • Usero J, Morillo J, Gracia I (1997) Contaminación por metales en sedimentos acuáticos. Tecnol Agua 166:44–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaithiyanathan P, Ramanathan AL, Subramanian V (1993) Transport and distribution of heavy metals in Cauvery River. Water Air Soil Pollut 71:13–28

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departament d'Enginyeria Minera i Recursos Naturals, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Av. Bases de Manresa 61–73, 08240 , Manresa, Barcelona, Spain

    J. M. Casas, M. Solé & C. Lao

  2. Universidad Privada Boliviana Km 6.5 a Quillacollo, 3967, Casilla , Cochabamba, Bolivia

    H. Rosas

Authors
  1. J. M. Casas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Rosas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Solé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. Lao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Lao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Casas, J.M., Rosas, H., Solé, M. et al. Heavy metals and metalloids in sediments from the Llobregat basin, Spain. Env Geol 44, 325–332 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0765-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0765-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation