Abstract
Sediment core samples were collected from the Salinas de San Pedro to assess the pollutant deposition processes in response to extensive human activities. Analysis of the sediment samples for heavy metals and some trace elements was conducted with ICP-OES for 20 sites showing enrichment for some of trace and heavy metals. The results demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations in mud varied greatly for each metal, with concentration values (mg/g) ranging from 1.05 - 4.8 (Al); 0.003 - 0.011(As); 0.001 - 0.005 (Cd); 0.02 to 0.82 (Cr); 0.085 - 0.47 (Cu); 5.98 - 14.22 (Fe); 0.06 - 0.19 (Mn); 0.03 - 0.67 (Ni); 0.05 - 0.38 (Pb); - 0.069 (Se); 0.18 - 0.63 (Ti); 0.040 - 0.091 (V) and 0.149 - 0.336 (Zn). The Index of Geo-accumulation factor showed highest values for Pb, Mn, As, and Cu. Enrichment factors >1for these elements suggest anthropogenic inputs for most metals. The bioavailability of metals in lagoon sediments has the potential to be highly dynamic with local waste and natural H2S discharge from existing fault line.
Highlights
Lagoons, estuarine, and coastal wetlands are complex and important ecosystems in which pollutant retention, sediment deposition, and fresh water-sea water interaction, occurs [1]
The results demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations in mud varied greatly for each metal, with concentration values ranging from 1.05 - 4.8 (Al); 0.003 - 0.011(As); 0.001 - 0.005 (Cd); 0.02 to 0.82 (Cr); 0.085 - 0.47 (Cu); 5.98 - 14.22 (Fe); 0.06 - 0.19 (Mn); 0.03 - 0.67 (Ni); 0.05 - 0.38 (Pb);
This study has demonstrated that, Salinas de San Pedro sediments are geochemically distinct with respect to concentrations of Mn and Fe oxides, organic matter, and amounts of heavy and trace metals (As, Cu, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn)
Summary
Estuarine, and coastal wetlands are complex and important ecosystems in which pollutant retention, sediment deposition, and fresh water-sea water interaction, occurs [1]. The behavior of metals in aquatic systems in such coastal environment is more popular due to the global anthropogenic alteration of trace metal cycles [3,4]. Anthropogenic metals introduced into the aquatic environment often occur in two forms either in particulate or rapidly sorbed to particles [7,8]. In latter form, they contribute to the pool of metals linked with either suspended particulate matter within the water column or are built-in into deposited sediments [9]. The geochemical nature of such aquatic particles (e.g., sediments) determines the presence and form of trace metals in a lagoon environment. The process dictates the subset of metals that are available in free ionic form versus bond to particulate/sediment material from which they can be released
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