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High Cu and Cd pollution in sediments from Sisimiut, Greenland. Adsorption to organic matter and fine particles

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Abstract

High concentrations of Cu of up to 200 mg/kg, and Cd of up to 4.0 mg/kg, were found in sediments from the aquatic environment around Sisimiut, Greenland. These concentrations are four times higher than the limiting concentration where toxicological effects are expected. The pollution could be linked to human activities in Sisimiut, a link that have not been investigated previously in Greenland. Except from the most polluted samples there was good correlation between heavy metal concentration and organic matter. Also some relationship between fine fraction and heavy metal concentration was observed.

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Acknowledgements

Grønlandsbanken is acknowledged for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARTEK, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, 2800, Lyngby, Denmark

    Lisbeth M. Ottosen & Arne Villumsen

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  1. Lisbeth M. Ottosen
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  2. Arne Villumsen
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Correspondence to Lisbeth M. Ottosen.

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Ottosen, L.M., Villumsen, A. High Cu and Cd pollution in sediments from Sisimiut, Greenland. Adsorption to organic matter and fine particles. Environ Chem Lett 4, 195–199 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-006-0045-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-006-0045-2

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