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Total Phosphorous Distribution and Bioavailability in the Bed Sediments of an Atlantic Basin (Galicia, NW Spain): Spatial Distribution and Vertical Profiles

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Abstract

The Anllóns basin (NW Spain) has been included in the Natura 2000 Network and declared as Site of Community Importance. The main contamination problems of the basin come from a former gold mine and from agricultural activities, which influence the quality of the sediment–water system. Phosphorus (P) enrichment in the bed sediments was evaluated by analyzing P in the pore waters, in the surface bed sediments, and in the vertical sediment profiles, including both total and bioavailable forms. Two granulometric fractions (<2 mm and <63 μm) were evaluated. Pore waters, bed sediments, and vertical profiles showed high percentages of the bioavailable P fraction with respect to the total P content, which evidences the potential risk of pollution which suppose the bed sediments of the Anllóns River. The vertical profiles showed P enrichment in the superficial layers, which could be the consequence of the increased use of fertilizers in the last decades. With regards to the granulometric distributions, the <63 μm showed, in general, higher P concentrations than the <2 mm fraction. However, at the sampling points most heavily contaminated, the concentration of both fractions becomes similar, thus indicating that, at these sites, the coatings formed over sands can retain important P concentrations in the bed sediments.

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Acknowledgements

The present study was financed by the Science and Education Ministry of Spain (MEC, REN 2003-08673/BES-2004-5894). Rosa Devesa-Rey was granted with a FPI grant.

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  1. Dpto. Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    R. Devesa-Rey, M. L. Iglesias, F. Díaz-Fierros & M. T. Barral

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  1. R. Devesa-Rey
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  2. M. L. Iglesias
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  4. M. T. Barral
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Correspondence to R. Devesa-Rey.

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Devesa-Rey, R., Iglesias, M.L., Díaz-Fierros, F. et al. Total Phosphorous Distribution and Bioavailability in the Bed Sediments of an Atlantic Basin (Galicia, NW Spain): Spatial Distribution and Vertical Profiles. Water Air Soil Pollut 200, 341–352 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9917-3

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