Abstract
The sediments in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) are contaminated by mercury (Hg) due to historic mining which took place in Idrija (Slovenia). Despite many studies having been done regarding Hg, no information is available on the potential impact of dredging required along the main channel approaching the Port of Monfalcone. Sixteen surface sediment samples were collected along the channel to determine both total Hg concentration and chemical species using the thermo-desorption (TD) technique. Six samples were also chosen to apply a selective sequential extraction (SSE). The TD technique showed the maximum Hg release approximately at 260 and 335°C, corresponding to metacinnabar (β-HgS) and cinnabar (α-HgS), respectively. The SSE demonstrated that Hg was mainly associated with poorly soluble or insoluble compounds (98.7%). A resuspension event over a limited period of time can be considered of negligible impact to the water column due to the scarce Hg mobility from sediments.
Highlights
Most ports are usually important sites of industrial and urban activities and are recognised as potential reservoirs for organic and inorganic contaminants which, due to poor environmental management, accumulate in the bottom sediments (e.g. Schintu et al 2016)
The marine coastal environments of the northern Adriatic Sea (Italy) have been widely investigated in relation to the historical mercury (Hg) contamination associated with the Idrija (NW Slovenia) mining activity which was in operation for 500 years (Covelli et al 2001)
16 sediment samples were collected from the main channel approaching the Port of Monfalcone (Fig. 1), one of the northernmost ports of the Adriatic Sea in the Gulf of Trieste, to evaluate the potential release of Hg from sediment to the water column due to resuspension caused by dredging
Summary
Most ports are usually important sites of industrial and urban activities and are recognised as potential reservoirs for organic and inorganic contaminants which, due to poor environmental management, accumulate in the bottom sediments (e.g. Schintu et al 2016). 16 sediment samples were collected from the main channel approaching the Port of Monfalcone (Fig. 1), one of the northernmost ports of the Adriatic Sea in the Gulf of Trieste, to evaluate the potential release of Hg from sediment to the water column due to resuspension caused by dredging.
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