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Heavy Metal Contents and Distribution in Coastal Sediments of the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

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Abstract

A set of ten heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) was investigated in surface sediments (0–5 cm) collected in 21 sites of the Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). The aim of this work was to obtain a preliminary assessment about the levels and spatial distribution of these selected elements. Ancillary parameters such as grain size, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen were also determined. The enrichment factor was calculated to discriminate if a natural condition or a status of anthropogenic contamination occurs. In addition, a set of sediment quality guidelines, mean effect low range and effect medium range quotients, was also applied in order to predict the probability of adverse biological effects on the benthic community.

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Acknowledgements

This research has been supported by the Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia. Technical support for sample collection by Dr. Massimo Celio is gratefully acknowledged. We also thank an anonymous reviewer for his help in revising the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Osservatorio Alto Adriatico, ARPA FVG (Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente), Via Cairoli 14, 33057, Palmanova, Italy

    Alessandro Acquavita, Giorgio Mattassi, Pietro Rossin & Francesco Tamberlich

  2. Dipartimento Provinciale di Trieste, ARPA FVG (Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente), Via La Marmora 13, 34127, Trieste, Italy

    Sergio Predonzani, Jari Falomo & Iztok Valic

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  1. Alessandro Acquavita
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  2. Sergio Predonzani
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  3. Giorgio Mattassi
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Correspondence to Alessandro Acquavita.

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Acquavita, A., Predonzani, S., Mattassi, G. et al. Heavy Metal Contents and Distribution in Coastal Sediments of the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). Water Air Soil Pollut 211, 95–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0284-5

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