Anthropogenic Heavy Metal Pollution in the Surficial Sediments of the Keratsini Harbor, Saronikos Gulf, Greece

Abstract

The contents of ten elements [Cd, Pb, W, Zn, Mn, As, Se, Cr, Cu, and organic carbon (Corg)] have been determined in the surficial sediments of Keratsini harbor, Saronikos Gulf, Greece. The contamination of the sediments was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index and to corresponding sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) effects range low/effects range median. The results revealed highly elevated Cd, Pb, W, Zn, As, Se, Cr, Cu, and Corg values (Cd, 190–1,763 mg kg−1; Pb, 521–1,263 mg kg−1; W, 38–100 mg kg−1; Zn, 409–6,725 mg kg−1; Mn, 95–1,101 mg kg−1; As, not detectable–1,813 mg kg−1; Se, not detectable–58 mg kg−1; Cr, 264–860 mg kg−1; Cu, 195–518 mg kg−1; and Corg, 0.69–4.41%). The enrichment of metals in the sediments results from the contribution of the central Athens sewage outfall through which the waste of the Attica basin ends up in Keratsini harbor as well as from industrial and ship contaminants.