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Dissolved Heavy Metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni) Concentrations in Surface Water and Porewater from Bahía Blanca Estuary Tidal Flats

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Abstract

The concentrations of dissolved cadmium, lead, chromium and níquel were determined in surface water column and pore water, collected from the extensive tidal plain at Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. Three different polluted areas were selected to study the spatial variation of these metals. The concentration ranges within the water column were slightly variable (Cd: 0.18–2.48 μg L−1; Pb: 0.38–7.53μg L−1; Cr: 0.89–5.83 μg L−1; Ni: 0.81–3.49 μg L−1), and displayed a clear gradient respect to the industrial area. Significant differences (contrast tests) between sites were detected for Cd, Pb and Ni. Very similar concentrations of Cd (0.18–3.41 μg L−1), Pb (0.38–5.83 μg L−1), Cr (0.89–9.37 μg L−1), Ni (0.81–6.56 μg L−1) were found in the porewater at all sites. The results suggested that both environmental compartments (water column and tidal flats porewater) may be affected by similar point and non-point heavy metal sources.

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Acknowledgments

Authors are greatly indebted with Lic. maría nedda chiarello (iado) for his help in samples processing and chemical analysis. Fully thanks to Lic. raul asteasuain and elena contardi (iado) for their assistance during sampling work. This research was funded through grants by CONICET (PIP No 02666/01) and ANPCyT (PICT No 07-11636/02) of Argentina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), CRIBABB, CONICET, Florida 7500, Edificio E1, CC 804. B8000FWB, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Sandra E. Botté & Jorge E. Marcovecchio

  2. Laboratorio de Química Ambiental, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Av. Alem 1253, Bahía Blanca, 8000, Argentina

    R. Hugo Freije

  3. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN), Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca (FRBB), 11 de Abril 445, Bahía Blanca, 8000, Argentina

    Jorge E. Marcovecchio

  4. Universidad FASTA, Gascón 3145, Mar del Plata, 7600, Argentina

    Jorge E. Marcovecchio

  5. IADO, CRIBABB-CONICET, Bahía blanca, (B8000FWB), Provincia Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Sandra E. Botté

Authors
  1. Sandra E. Botté
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  2. R. Hugo Freije
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  3. Jorge E. Marcovecchio
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Correspondence to Sandra E. Botté.

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Botté, S.E., Freije, R.H. & Marcovecchio, J.E. Dissolved Heavy Metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni) Concentrations in Surface Water and Porewater from Bahía Blanca Estuary Tidal Flats. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 79, 415–421 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9231-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9231-6

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