Abstract
Geochemical analysis of the 23 sediment samples collected from a short (0.6 m long) core retrieved from the coastal creek that was previously connecting the northern and southern Al-Shuaiba Lagoons, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, was accomplished to assess the elemental enrichment levels and the natural and anthropogenic driving forces for this enrichment. Statistical analysis and upcore variation in elemental concentrations enabled subdivision of the core formally into three units, lower, middle, and upper. The enriched elements in the lower and middle units display poor to negative correlations with the enriched elements in the upper unit. The lower unit is enriched in elements (Mo, As, U, and Re) suggesting deposition under anoxic conditions, possibly related to the Medieval Climate Anomaly. The middle unit is enriched in the carbonate-related constituents (CaCO3, Ca, and Sr). The upper unit is enriched in elements that co-vary significantly with Al suggesting increased terrigenous supply associated with the construction of the road between the two lagoons. The enrichment of elements in the lower and middle units is naturally driven, whereas the enrichment of lithogenic elements in the upper unit, though of geogenic origin, is induced after the road construction.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Variations in element concentrations reflect their behaviour in the water column, redox conditions, and the rate of terrigenous and organic matter influx
The present study investigates the elemental enrichments and interprets them in the context of redox bottom conditions and increased terrigenous influx
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Coastal lagoons are the most used, fragile, vulnerable, and threatened coastal ecosystems [1,2,3,4,5]. They hold varieties of important living resources of commercial and ecological interests. They are affected by several natural and anthropogenic pressures and threats. Values 0.14–0.33 (0.21) 1.62–4.19 (2.48) 0.81–2.09 (1.34).
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