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Estimation of heavy metal loads from Tiber River to the Tyrrhenian Sea and environmental quality assessment

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Abstract

In order to evaluate the heavy metal pollution in the Tiber River and its environmental impact on the Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea), eight heavy metals (As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in the water dissolved phase, suspended particulate matter and sediment samples collected from 21 sites in different seasons. Total heavy metal concentrations ranged from 34.88 to 4201.23 μg L−1 in water (as the sum of the water dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter) and from 42.81 to 1686.84 mg kg−1 in sediment samples. The total selected heavy metal load contribution into the sea is calculated in about 21,257.85 kg year−1, showing that this River should account as one of the main contribution sources of heavy metals in the Mediterranean Sea. In relation to the ecological assessment, the Tiber River and Estuary would be considered as an area in which the ecological integrity is possibly at risk.

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Acknowledgments

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini no. 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Paolo Montuori, Sara Aurino, Fatima Garzonio, Antonio Nardone & Maria Triassi

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  1. Paolo Montuori
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  2. Sara Aurino
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  3. Fatima Garzonio
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  4. Antonio Nardone
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  5. Maria Triassi
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Correspondence to Paolo Montuori.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Highlights

• Heavy metals were analyzed in water and sediments from Tiber River and Estuary.

• The study deals with impact assessment of urban drains on river water and sediment.

• Concentrations of some heavy metals were above threshold limit of the sediment quality guidelines.

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Montuori, P., Aurino, S., Garzonio, F. et al. Estimation of heavy metal loads from Tiber River to the Tyrrhenian Sea and environmental quality assessment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 23694–23713 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7557-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7557-5

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