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Exchange of Cu and Cd across the sediment-water interface in intertidal mud flats from Ria Formosa (Portugal)

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Abstract

Depth profiles of Fe, Mn, (HS)t, Cu and Cd concentrations in pore water were determined on a seasonal scale in intertidal sediments of Ria Formosa. Concentrations of Cu and Cd were also determined in near-bottom water during the short period that water inundates the sediment. A maximum near the sediment-water interface was observed in depth profiles of Mn and Fe concentrations followed by a decrease with depth. Otherwise, depth profiles of (HS−)t were irregular but peak concentrations was observed below Mn and Fe maximum. Although subsurface maximum was observed at deeper layers for Cu and Cd, the profiles shape varied among sites and sampling dates. This suggests site specificity and alterations associated with early diagenetic reactions. In order to assess exchanges of Cu and Cd across the sediment water interface, diffusive fluxes and advective transport were estimated. Both contribute substantially to the daily transfer of Cd from intertidal sediments to the water column of Ria Formosa. In the case of Cu, the flux associated with tidal flooding (advective flux) was the major contributor. Presumably, the exchange of trace elements between the sediment-water interface in intertidal areas of macro- and meso-tidal systems are underestimated since do not take into consideration the pulse contribution associated with tidal flooding.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank their colleague, Miguel Quintans for helping with fieldwork.

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  1. IPIMAR/National Institute for Agronomy and Fisheries Research, Av. Brasília, 1449-006, Lisbon, Portugal

    Miguel Caetano, M.-J. Madureira & C. Vale

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  1. Miguel Caetano
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  2. M.-J. Madureira
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  3. C. Vale
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Correspondence to Miguel Caetano.

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Caetano, M., Madureira, MJ. & Vale, C. Exchange of Cu and Cd across the sediment-water interface in intertidal mud flats from Ria Formosa (Portugal). Hydrobiologia 587, 147–155 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0673-y

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