Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Trace Metals in Sediments from the Scheldt Estuary, South-west Netherlands

Zwolsman, J.J.G.; Eck, G.Th.M. van; Bürger, Gerd

doi:10.1006/ecss.1996.0057

Cited by 120 publications

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“…Sediments play a key role in the biogeochemical cycles of metals, providing useful information on their inputs to coastal and marine systems (Zwolsman et al, 1996). Accordingly, sediments can help us to localize the contamination sources in the estuarine-coastal zone, where industrial and urban effluents are usually dumped.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…El compartimiento biogeoquímico del sedimento es muy importante para el conocimiento del ciclo de los metales pesados ya que proporciona información sobre su entrada a los ecosistemas (Zwolsman et al, 1996). Por ello, el registro sedimentario ofrece un buena ayuda a la hora de localizar las fuentes de contaminación en los ambientes estuárico-costeros http://dx.doi.org/10.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

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Two opposite cases of metal accumulation in ria sediments: Ferrol and Corme-Laxe (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula)

2005

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Ciencias Marinas (2005) AbstractThe accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) in surface sediments (<63 µm) of the Ferrol and Corme-Laxe rias was studied. These two rias have opposite characteristics from the point of view of both the morphology and the anthropogenic impact. Low metal concentrations were found in the Corme-Laxe Ria, with the highest values observed in the Anllóns River estuary, probably due to a higher lithogenic composition of the sediments. Concentrations in the Corme-Laxe Ria (Cd, 0.10 ± 0.03 µg g -l ; Cu, 5 ± 2 µg g -l ; Pb, 12 ± 4 µg g -l ; and Zn, 49 ± 17 µg g -l ) can be used as a good reference for metal background values for sediments from the 18 Galician rias. Although these background values are lower than those previously reported for the Galician coast, they are similar to those found in other uncontaminated coastal and marine systems. The highest concentrations for Ferrol were generally found in the middle part of the ria, which receives the most important urban and industrial impact. The values obtained show evident metal contamination in the middle and inner parts of the Ferrol Ria, with enrichment factors of 4-10 for Cd, 5 for Cu, 2-3 for Pb and 4-5 for Zn.Key words: heavy metals, contamination, sediments, background values, Ferrol, Corme-Laxe, Galicia. ResumenSe estudió la acumulación de metales pesados (Cd, Cu, Pb y Zn) en el sedimento (<63 µm) superficial en las rías de Ferrol y Corme-Laxe, las cuales poseen características contrapuestas tanto desde el punto de vista de su morfología como de su influencia urbana e industrial. La ría de Corme-Laxe presentó bajos niveles de metales en los sedimentos, siendo mayores en el estuario del Río Anllóns probablemente debido a un mayor grado litogénico de los sedimentos. Las concentraciones obtenidas en la ría de Laxe (0.10 ± 0.03 µg g -l de Cd, 5 ± 2 µg g -l de Cu, 12 ± 4 µg g -l de Pb y 49 ± 17 µg g -l de Zn) resultan una buena referencia de valores naturales de fondo para metales en las 18 rías gallegas. Aunque éstos son menores a otros considerados para la costa gallega, son similares a los medidos a nivel mundial en sedimentos marinos no contaminados. En Ferrol, las máximas concentraciones de metales se presentan generalmente en la parte media de la ría, donde se localiza el mayor núcleo de población y buena parte de la actividad industrial. Los datos allí obtenidos señalan la existencia de una evidente contaminación metálica en la parte media e interna de la ría de Ferrol con factores de enriquecimiento comprendidos entre 4-10 para Cd, 5 para Cu, 2-3 para Pb y 4-5 para Zn.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionunclassified

Two opposite cases of metal accumulation in ria sediments: Ferrol and Corme-Laxe (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula)

2005

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“…Extrapolation of the quality of dredged sediments to that of the river sediment is however very complex. Zwolsman et al (1996) found a distinct improvement in sediment and suspended matter quality in the Scheldt estuary, especially in the most polluted fluvial estuary. In the suspended matter, the authors found decreasing concentrations of Zn since 1972, a peak of Cd around 1980 and a peak of Cr between 1970 and 1975, followed by a drastic decline for both elements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…In suspended matter and bottom sediments of the Scheldt Estuary, Verlaan et al (1998) and Verlaan (2000) could distinguish between a fraction of fluvial origin and a fraction of marine origin because of the elevated concentrations of Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd in the former. Both water quality, suspended matter quality and sediment quality is improving in the Scheldt estuary since two decades (Zwolsman, 1999;Zwolsman et al, 1996, Baeyens, 1998. Zwolsman (1999) states that improvement of the water quality eventually will lead to an increased mobilisation of heavy metals in the estuary because of an increased oxygen supply to the sediment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Geochronology was determined by comparison of sediment analyses from different periods (Zwolsman et al, 1996), by the use of radionuclide time tracers (Winkels et al, 1998;Callender & Van Metre, 1997;Zwolsman et al, 1993) or by calculation of sediment deposition rates on sampled points based on time series of monthly surveys (Wiese et al, 1997). An advantage of the use of deposited sediments is that they integrate the fluctuating input of heavy metals over rather long time scales (Regnier & Wollast, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heavy metal contents in surface soils along the Upper Scheldt river (Belgium) affected by historical upland disposal of dredged materials

Vandecasteele

Vos

Tack

2002

The Science of The Total Environment

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For several decades, periodical dredging of river sediments has been necessary to allow for shipping traffic on the river Scheldt. Sediments were disposed along the shores in the alluvial plain without concern for the potential presence of contaminants. The aim of this study was to survey the alluvial plains of the Upper Scheldt river in Belgium for the presence of old dredged sediment landfills, and to appraise the heavy metal contamination at these sites. Up to 82% of the areas that were affected by dredged sediment disposal was found to be polluted by at least one of the metals Cd, Cr, Zn or Pb. Concentrations of Cd, Cr and Zn were, in 10% of the cases, higher than 26, 1900 and 2800 mg/kg, respectively. Cu and Ni concentrations were of no environmental concern on any site. Trends in metal concentrations as a function of location and time were explored and discussed. The highest average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in the most downstream quarter of the Upper Scheldt. Contents of Pb and Cu were significantly lower for sediments disposed after 1965, but no indication for improvement of the sediment quality with time was observed for Cd, Cr and Zn. The pollution levels encountered warrant for caution as most of the soils affected by historical dredged sediment disposal are currently in use for agriculture, nature development or forestry.

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Contribution of trace metals in structuring in situ macroinvertebrate community composition along a salinity gradient

Peeters

Gardeniers

Koelmans

2000

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Macroinvertebrates were studied along a salinity gradient in the North Sea Canal, The Netherlands, to quantify the effect of trace metals (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc) on community composition. In addition, two methods for assessing metal bioavailability (normalizing metal concentrations on organic carbon and on the smallest sediment fraction) were compared. Factor analyses showed that normalizing trace metals resulted in an improved separation of trace metals from ecological factors (depth, organic carbon, granulometry, and chloride). The variation in the macroinvertebrate data was partitioned into four sources using partial canonical correspondence analysis, with the partitions being purely ecological factors, purely trace metals, mutual ecological factors and trace metals, and unexplained. Partial canonical correspondence analysis applied to total and normalized trace metal concentrations gave similar results in terms of unexplained variances. However, normalization on organic carbon resulted in the highest percentage of variation explained by purely ecological factors and purely trace metals. Accounting for bioavailability thus improves the identification of factors affecting the in situ community structure. Ecological factors explained 45.4% and trace metals 8.6% of the variation in the macroinvertebrate community composition in the ecosystem of the North Sea Canal. These contributions were significant, and it is concluded that trace metals significantly affected the community composition in an environment with multiple stressors. Variance partitioning is recommended for incorporation in further risk assessment studies.

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Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Trace Metals in Sediments from the Scheldt Estuary, South-west Netherlands

Cited by 120 publications

References 0 publications

Two opposite cases of metal accumulation in ria sediments: Ferrol and Corme-Laxe (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula)

Two opposite cases of metal accumulation in ria sediments: Ferrol and Corme-Laxe (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula)

Heavy metal contents in surface soils along the Upper Scheldt river (Belgium) affected by historical upland disposal of dredged materials

Contribution of trace metals in structuring in situ macroinvertebrate community composition along a salinity gradient

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