Surface sediments from Pialassa Piomboni coastal lagoon (NW Adriatic Sea, Italy) were analysed, in order to evaluate the potential risk associated with the presence of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb e Zn) for resident biota. Sediments have been extracted with HCl 1M under inert atmosphere (N2), and subsequently the content of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and the sum of molar concentrations of simultaneously extracted metals (∑SEM) were determined. The AVS levels are between 0.03 and 8.8 µmol g-1 (3.1 ± 2.8 µmol g-1); while ∑SEM range from 0.3 to 6.6 µmol g-1 (1.7 ± 1.3 µmol g-1). Zn and Cd represent the higher (31 - 93%) and lower (> 1%) contributions to ∑SEM value, respectively. The high ∑SEM concentrations are located in the southern area of the lagoon. Over 90% of surface sediments analyzed did not show potential adverse biological effects according to the criteria proposed by the USEPA.
Surface sediment quality assessment in a coastal lagoon (NW Adriatic Sea) based on SEM-AVS analysis
GUERRA, ROBERTA;
2014
Abstract
Surface sediments from Pialassa Piomboni coastal lagoon (NW Adriatic Sea, Italy) were analysed, in order to evaluate the potential risk associated with the presence of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb e Zn) for resident biota. Sediments have been extracted with HCl 1M under inert atmosphere (N2), and subsequently the content of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and the sum of molar concentrations of simultaneously extracted metals (∑SEM) were determined. The AVS levels are between 0.03 and 8.8 µmol g-1 (3.1 ± 2.8 µmol g-1); while ∑SEM range from 0.3 to 6.6 µmol g-1 (1.7 ± 1.3 µmol g-1). Zn and Cd represent the higher (31 - 93%) and lower (> 1%) contributions to ∑SEM value, respectively. The high ∑SEM concentrations are located in the southern area of the lagoon. Over 90% of surface sediments analyzed did not show potential adverse biological effects according to the criteria proposed by the USEPA.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
