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An evaluation of trace metal distribution, enrichment factors and risk in sediments of a coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

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Abstract

This paper describes a sediment survey undertaken to unravel patterns of distribution and dispersion of trace metals in an Iberian Peninsula northwestern coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro). Cadmium, lead, chromium, copper and zinc were analyzed in bottom sediments. Geochemical normalization is performed and two different regression models for each metal versus aluminum are tested and compared using the respective enrichment factors (EF), an estimation of the relative importance of anthropogenic contributions to the studied sediments. Mean sediment quality guideline quotients (mSQGQ) are used to evaluate sediment quality and associated potential risk to biota with effects range low as empirical sediment quality guideline (SQG) in the basis for mSQGQ calculation. Additionally, the geoaccumulation index is calculated to compare studied sediment levels to global baseline levels. The application of SQGs revealed insufficient characterization capability, especially when contrasted to EF calculated from the regression methods. These pointed a mildly enriched system with localized “hot spot” areas. Therefore, it can be considered that bottom sediments in the Ria de Aveiro system are in their majority unpolluted, zinc being the only metal of concern, presenting enrichment in all four main channels. The major rivers outlets (Caster, Antuã, and Vouga) constitute point sources, thus presenting potential risk for biota. Yet, the strong tidal influence creates a damping effect by efficiently redistributing sediment bound metals.

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Acknowledgments

Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) is acknowledged for funding this research through PhD Grant SFRH/BPD/26689/2006. The authors express their deep gratitude to Mr. Rui Marques and Dr. Ana Sousa for help with sediment collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

    M. Ramiro Pastorinho, António J. A. Nogueira & Amadeu M. V. M. Soares

  2. Environmental Group, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK

    Trevor C. Telfer

  3. Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO, 80401, USA

    James F. Ranville

Authors
  1. M. Ramiro Pastorinho
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  2. Trevor C. Telfer
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  3. António J. A. Nogueira
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  4. Amadeu M. V. M. Soares
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  5. James F. Ranville
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Correspondence to M. Ramiro Pastorinho.

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Ramiro Pastorinho, M., Telfer, T.C., Nogueira, A.J.A. et al. An evaluation of trace metal distribution, enrichment factors and risk in sediments of a coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Environ Earth Sci 67, 2043–2052 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1643-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1643-x

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