Abstract
Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe measured at forty locations in the Boka Kotorska Bay were used to monitor the spatial and temporal quality of sediment and to assess surface sediment contamination over the last 15 years. This ecological geochemistry assessment was made using two classes of pollution indices: single indices concerning the investigated elements (contamination factor (Cf)) and integrated indices concerning the locations (pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (RI), mean effects range median quotient (MERMQ), toxic risk index (TRI), contamination severity index (CSI)). The distribution of all indices was geostatistically mapped and several hotspots were identified. Based on the indices applied in the risk assessment, the mean contribution of individual metal species to the total risk was determined and presented in the following order: Cd > Hg > As > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cr > Zn. This study revealed that Cd and Hg were at the top of the risk list among the examined elements. The temporal distribution of Hg has shown a decreasing trend during the period 2005–2019, while the presence of Cd in the Bay environment is of major concern. The results revealed that the most polluted part of the investigated area was Tivat bay within the Boka Kotorska Bay. Multivariate statistical analysis of pollution indices resulted in multicollinearity, which enabled the use of a reduced number of indices with an acceptable risk estimation.
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Dr. Sandro Degetto (CNR Environmenal Laboratory, Padua, Italy) whose scientific contribution was fundamental for the development of this work.
Funding
This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Contract No. 451-03-68/2020-14/200135).
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MR did the sample pre-treatment, analysed, mathematically processed, and interpreted the results of pollution indices, did preparation and presentation of the manuscript, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation). BT performed the processing and analysis of the samples related to the study year of 2013. LP did the data processing applying the multivariate statistical techniques and interpretation of the obtained statistical results, as well as contributing to the concept, review, and editing. FC was involved in sample collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data related to the research years 2005 and 2007. CC was involved in conducting the entire research in 2005 and 2007 and in interpreting these data, also in commentary and revision. AO contributed to providing the financial support, instrumentation, and analysis tools in 2013 and 2019, and was involved in methodology, critical review, and editing. SS defined the concept, planned and supervised the execution of the research activity, provided the study materials and samples, and was a major contributor in writing parts of the discussion. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
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Supplementary information
Supplementary Table 1.
Certified and measured concentrations of elements (in mg/kg) in certified reference materials NIM-GBW 07402, 07427, 07428, 07430 analysed by ED-XRF (DOC 49 kb)
Supplementary Table 2.
Comparison of certified and measured concentrations of mercury (Hg) in certified reference materials NIM-GBW 07402, 07427, 07428, 07430 using the DMA-80 analyzer (DOC 31 kb)
Supplementary Table 3.
Heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in surface sediments of the Boka Kotorska bay in 2019, 2013, 2007 and 2005 (DOC 95 kb)
Supplementary Table 4.
Metal contamination factors (Cf) and pollution load indices (PLI) for surface sediment in the Boka Kotorska bay in the period from 2005 to 2019 (DOC 93 kb)
Supplementary Table 5.
Risk Index (RI), Mean ERM quotient (MERMQ), Toxic Risk Index (TRI) and Contamination Severity Index (CSI) at sampling sites of the Boka Kotorska bay in 2019, 2013, 2007 and 2005 (DOC 96 kb)
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Radomirović, M., Tanaskovski, B., Pezo, L. et al. Spatial and temporal distribution of pollution indices in marine surface sediments—a chemometric approach. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 42496–42515 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13644-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13644-9