Sediment Contamination Levels Research Articles

Contamination of depressional wetlands in the Mpumalanga Lake District of South Africa near a global emission hotspot

The Mpumalanga Lake District (MLD) of South Africa hosts a regionally unique cluster of water bodies of great importance for wetland biodiversity. It is also located close to a global hotspot for coal-fired power station emissions but the local impacts from these sources of pollution are poorly understood. Sediment cores from three contrasting wetlands were 210Pb dated and analysed for a range of contaminants linked to fossil fuel combustion, including trace elements, Hg, sulphur and spheroidal carbonaceous fly-ash particles (SCPs). At the two sites with pre-industrial (1900) baseline sediments, Pb, Zn and especially Cr concentrations and fluxes showed significant increases in the impact period (post-1975). Mercury showed the greatest proportional increase in flux (>4-fold) of all trace metals. Mercury and sulphur concentrations and fluxes showed highly significant correlations with emissions over the corresponding periods, while SCPs in sediments also closely tracked emissions. In a global context, levels of sediment contamination are relatively minor compared with other heavily industrialised regions, with only Cr exceeding the sediment Probable Effects Concentration for biological impact post-1975. Despite the relatively large increases in Hg, concentrations do not reach the Threshold Effects Concentration. The unexpectedly low levels of contamination may be due to i) low levels of many trace contaminants in South African coals compared to global averages, ii) prevailing recirculation patterns which transport pollution away from the study area during the wet season, minimising wet deposition, and iii) pollutant remobilisation through desiccation of wetlands or volatilization. The effects of hydrology and sediment accumulation rates lead to differential transport and preservation of organic-associated and more volatile contaminants (e.g. Hg, S) relative to non-volatile trace elements in wetlands of the MLD. The greatest fluxes of Hg and S are recorded in the site with the highest catchment: lake area ratio, lowest salinity and greatest sediment organic matter content.

Ecotoxicological risks of heavy metals in floodplain sediments: Linking current conditions to future threats

Given increasing concerns about the environmental impact of heavy metal pollution, assessing the level of contamination in floodplain suspended sediments is an important task. Effective environmental management and the preservation of an ecosystem depend on understanding existing pollution levels and potential concerns in the future. For this reason, floodplain-suspended sediments from major industrialized cities in Southeast Nigeria were sampled and analyzed for heavy metal contents. The investigation was conducted to evaluate the immediate and long-term bioavailability and pollution status of heavy metals in receptor organisms. A five-step sequential extraction procedure was adopted to fractionate iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, lead, cadmium, and chromium to determine the geochemical phases in which they were distributed. Generally, the heavy metals were partitioned in the following order: residual >> oxidizable > carbonate > reducible > exchangeable. This indicates that a significant portion of the metals were tightly bound to the soil matrix, rendering them not readily bioavailable to the biota, except over an extended period. The levels of heavy metals, except for lead and cadmium in specific areas, were below the saturation point in terms of their bioavailability. Furthermore, the pollution assessment indices, such as the geo-accumulation index, reflected high levels of cadmium, copper, and lead contamination. This suggests a potential ecotoxicological risk to organisms near the sampling sites. The sites were classified as moderate and high risk in terms of immediate and future risk assessment, respectively. This research has established connections between current conditions and future threats and contributed valuable insights for understanding and mitigating potential environmental hazards. Proper cleaning methods and potential site reclamation are imperative to minimize or contain these heavy metals in stable forms within urban areas to prevent bioaccumulation.

Spatial Distribution, Risk Assessment, and Provenance of Heavy Metals Contamination in the Sediments of the Gilgit River Basin, Northern Pakistan

ABSTRACT Gilgit River Basin (GRB) is one of the primary fluvial aquatic systems flowing through Gilgit-Baltistan and a water source for recreation, fisheries, irrigation, and drinking to more than 1.8 million people. This study aimed to investigate heavy metals (HM) contamination levels in sediments of GRB, northern Pakistan. Fifty-five samples were picked from the various sections of GRB and examined for HM concentrations. Fe showed the maximum average concentration of 27,743 mg/kg, while Cd was noted with a minimum average of 1.06 mg/kg. HM concentrations were noted within the world river system guidelines except Cd, which also surpassed the sediment quality guidelines set by USEPA. HM concentrations of GRB sediments were used for the geospatial and ecotoxicological risk indices. Geospatial analyses showed higher levels of HM contamination and risk in the sediments of Ishkomen River in GRB. HM contamination in GRB sediments showed low to moderate levels of risk to exposed aquatic ecosystems. Statistical analyses were used for the HM source apportionment in sediments of GRB, suggesting a major contribution from natural activities. This study recommends seasonal variation in HM contamination of water and sediments studies in the GRB.

Evaluation of potential trace element contamination and ecological risks of beach sediments, Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, India

This study emphasized the potential contamination level and ecological risk condition of the beach sediments in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The mean concentration of acid -leachable trace metals (ALTMs) shows the following descending order: North Andaman sector: Pb > Zn > Ni > Co > Cr > Fe > Cu > Mn; Middle Andaman sector: Fe > Ni > Pb > Zn > Cr > Co > Mn > Cu; South Andaman sector: Fe > Ni > Pb > Zn > Cr > Co > Mn > Cu; Rutland Island sector: Ni > Fe > Pb > Zn > Co > Cr > Cu > Mn; Little Andaman sector: Ni > Pb > Zn > Co > Cr > Fe > Cu > Mn; Great Nicobar Island sector: Fe > Ni > Cr > Pb > Zn > Co > Mn > Cu. The enrichment factor shows the metal enrichment trend as follows: Pb > Ni > Cr > Cu > Mn > Zn. ALTM’s results reveal that Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cu are the most notable trace elements in the beach sediments. The geo-accumulation index of metals shows an unpolluted category for all the metals except Pb. The level of sediment contamination indicates the moderate to strong category. The sediment pollution index and ecological risk reveal that the sediment belongs to the natural category with low pollution risk. The concentration of metal in the beaches was less than the comparative studies and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Overall assessment studies on sediment accumulated trace metals and potential ecological studies suggest that the beach sediments of the study area were less contaminated and exposed to low risk.

Coupling isotopic signatures and partial extraction method to examine lead pollution in mangrove sediments

Elevated lead (Pb) has been widely observed in mangrove sediments due to human activities, yet understanding the sources of Pb in these sediments and the factors influencing Pb accumulation is challenging. Here, we combined Pb isotopes with partial extraction methods to study Pb contamination levels in mangrove sediments from the eastern and western parts of the Maowei Sea, China. Our results showed that the Pb in the leachate and residual fraction was mainly from anthropogenic and natural sources, respectively. The use of 204Pb isotope analysis can reveal some overlooked differences between anthropogenic and natural sources. Calculation by Bayesian mixing model showed no significant difference in the total anthropogenic contribution between the two sites, but the relative contribution of each end member differed. The contribution of Pb/Zn ores was much higher in the eastern sites (30.9 ± 5.1%) than in the west (18.4 ± 5.5%), while that of agricultural activities was much lower in the east (5.2 ± 3.1%) than in the west (13.5 ± 4.6%). The elevated anthropogenic Pb accumulation in mangrove sediments was ascribed to organic matter. This study provides more data on Pb isotopic composition and new insights into Pb biogeochemistry in the mangrove environment.

Microplastics in coral reef sediments underestimated? They may hide in biominerals

Microplastics (MPs) may be underestimated in coral reef sediments. Current pretreatments for determining MPs in the sediments are mainly density separation and organic matter removal, ignoring MPs that may be embedded or encrusted in biominerals. This could lead to discrepancies in assessing the potential risk of MPs contamination. To confirm whether MPs in coral reef sediments are underestimated, a two-step sequential digestion, including organic matter removal (H2O2 digestion) and biomineral removal (HCl digestion), was performed on sediments from the coral reef area of the South Penghu Marine National Park (SPMNP, Taiwan). The MPs abundance and characteristics of the two steps were analyzed separately. The results showed that the average MPs abundance after HCl digestion (78 ± 42 MPs/kg) was significantly higher than that of H2O2 digestion (38 ± 25 MPs/kg). The MPs diversity integrated index (MPDII) in coral reef sediments was low (MPDII = 0.35), and MPs were mainly small (<2.0 mm, 91.3 %), fibrous (93.5 %), colored (60.9 %), and rayon polymers (73.9 %). Correlation analysis showed that MPs in biominerals mainly dominated MPs in the sediments. These results confirm that current assessments of MPs contamination levels in biomineral-rich sediments may be underestimated and uncertain. In addition, the mineralization of organisms in SPMNP reef regions was affected by MPs from moderate to high levels, depending on the proportion of MPs in biominerals.

Key factors influencing pollution of heavy metals and phenolic compounds in mangrove sediments, South China

Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) and phenolic compounds with factors which potentially affected their spatial distribution were investigated in mangrove sediments, South China. Compared to Qi'ao, Futian sediments exhibited higher levels of Pb and nonylphenol (NP), but lower levels of Co and Ni. Seasonal variation showed higher concentrations of Pb, Cr, Co, NP and bisphenol A (BPA), while lower concentration of methylparaben (MP) in wet than dry season. Contaminant levels in sediments collected at different tidal heights showed insignificant variations, except for Zn and NP. MP was found negatively correlated with nearly all HMs and BPA, whereas the latter exhibited positive correlations with each other. Sedimentary total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N and N/P ratios were screened as the most influential factors affecting the distribution of these contaminants. Additionally, both salinity and total phosphate exhibited positive, while both pH and sedimentary particle size registered negative correlation, with one or more contaminants.

Environmental impact of potentially toxic elements on soils, sediments, waters, and air nearby an abandoned Hg-rich fahlore mine (Mt. Avanza, Carnic Alps, NE Italy)

The decommissioned fahlore Cu-Sb(-Ag) mine at Mt. Avanza (Carnic Alps, Italy) is a rare example of exploited ore deposits, as the tetrahedrite (Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13) is the main ore mineral found. This multi-compartmental geochemical characterisation approach provides one of the first case studies regarding the geochemical behaviour and fate of Hg, Sb, As, Cu, and other elements in solid and water matrices and of Hg in the atmosphere in an environment affected by the mining activity of a fahlore ore deposit. Elevated concentrations of the elements (Cu, Sb, As, Pb, Zn, Hg) associated with both (Zn-Hg)-tetrahedrite and to other minor ore minerals in mine wastes, soils, and stream sediments were observed. Concentrations in waters and stream sediments greatly decreased with increasing distance from the mining area and the Igeo index values testify the highest levels of sediment contamination inside the mine area. Thallium and Ge were associated with the “lithogenic component” and not to sulfosalt/sulphide minerals. Although mine drainage water often slightly exceeded the national regulatory limits for Sb and As, with Sb being more mobile than As, the relatively low dissolved concentrations indicate a moderate stability of the tetrahedrite. The fate of Hg at the investigated fahlore mining district appeared similar to cinnabar mining sites around the world. Weak solubility but the potential evasion of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) into the atmosphere also appear to be characteristics of Hg in fahlore ores. Although GEM concentrations are such that they do not present a pressing concern, real-time field surveys allowed for the easy identification of Hg sources, proving to be an effective, suitable high-resolution indirect approach for optimising soil sampling surveys and detecting mine wastes and mine adits.

Trust and collaboration connect remediation and restoration to community revitalization

Improvements to environmental quality through sediment remediation and habitat restoration are considered important components of the revitalization of communities with current or historical concentrations of industry. Moreover, these improvements can increase property values and consequently contribute to resident displacement and gentrification. However, little is known about the actual mechanisms that connect remediation and restoration to revitalization outcomes. Thus, there is a need to better understand the connections between remediation, restoration, and revitalization to inform more equitable revitalization processes. We address this gap through a case study of three communities in the Great Lakes region of the United States, where high levels of sediment contamination and habitat loss from industrial pollutants led to their designation as three of 43 Areas of Concern (AOCs) by the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Drawing from 16 semi-structured interviews with community leaders and participant observation in three public meetings, our study reveals that community leaders define revitalization largely through economic diversification and housing development. Connections between remediation, restoration and revitalization are driven in part by visual indicators of environmental improvement and public access to the waterbody that support investment, in addition to cross-sectoral and multi-scalar collaboration. Importantly, these collaborations and local champions’ leadership are highly dependent on affinitive trust revealing that there is great potential to increase resilience in AOCs by increasing trust diversity. Together, these findings add to our understanding of the ways remediation and restoration contribute to revitalization and inform city planning practices that promote more equitable revitalization outcomes.

Comparing the applicability of ecological risk indices of metals based on PCA-APCS-MLR receptor models for ports surface sediments

This study collected surface sediments from seven ports in Taiwan and analyzed their characteristics along with 10 metals. Enrichment factor (EF), relative EF (REF), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and mean effect range median quotient (m-ERM-q) were used to evaluate the levels of metal contamination and ecological risks in sediments. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model were applied to quantify the main factors affecting the variations in sediment metals. The different normalization techniques that vary between indexes significantly affect the estimates of risk levels for sediment metals. APCS-MLR model confirmed the significant difference among the sediment quality indices in the degree of anthropogenic pollution, ranging in the order of REF (normalized with reference site and Fe, 97.0 %), PERI (normalized with reference site, 85.5 %), EF (normalized with crust and Fe, 79.4 %), and m-ERM-q (not normalized, 56.6 %).

Evaluation of heavy metals contamination and pollution indices levels in surface sediments of the Bizerte coastal line, Tunisia

Heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments collected from 17 stations samples in Bizerte coastal line were determined in order to evaluate the contamination status in the region. Heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) of Bizerte coast line followed the decreasing trend of Fe>Pb>Zn>Mn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Co>Cd. The pollution degree of the surface sediment collected from 17 samples station in Bizerte coast line by heavy metals was evaluated on the basis of pollution indices (EF, Igeo, CF, PLI and CD). Results of Igeo, EF, CF, PLI and DC demonstrated that pollution levels of Pb and Cd were moderate, which should require more attentiveness as main pollution factors. However, no pollution was found for Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co and Mn. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify the influence of anthropogenic activities on the surface sediment.

Metal contamination in sediments of dam reservoirs: A multi-facetted generic risk assessment

The quality of bottom sediments is a key factor for many functions of dam reservoirs, which include water supply, flood control and recreation. The aim of the study was to combine different pollution indices in a critical generic risk assessment of metal contamination of bottom sediments. Both geochemical and ecological indices reflected that sediment contamination was dominated by Zn, Pb and Cd. The ecological risk indices suggested a high riks for all three metals, whereas human health risks were high for Pb and Cd. An occasional local contamination of sediments with Cr and Ni was revealed, although at levels not expected to cause concerns about potential ecological or health risk. Sediments from the Rybnik reservoir for Cu only revealed a high potential ecological risk. EF turned to be as being the most useful, whereas TRI (∑TRI) was the most important ecological index. All multi-element indices suggested similar trends, indicating that Zn, Pb and Cd taken altogether had the greatest impact on the level of sediment contamination and posed the greatest potential ecological and health risks to organisms. The use of sequential BCR extraction and ecotoxicity analyses allowed for a multi-facetted generic risk assessment of metals in sediments of dam reservoirs.

Sex and seasonal differences in metal accumulation of selected tissues in red swamp crayfish from Lake Trasimeno (Umbria, Italy).

Concentrations of essential metals (Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential and toxic metals (Ag, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were quantified in hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle for 73 specimens (37 males and 36 females) of Procambarus clarkii from Lake Trasimeno (Italy) in a year's campaign (July 2018 to June 2019). Elemental concentrations determined in crayfish differed in tissues, seasons, and gender. Both sexes showed lower concentrations in abdominal muscle than in hepatopancreas. Essential metals accumulated in higher concentrations in both tissues than non-essential elements, while associations between essential metals were stronger, especially for females; however, a strong correlation was also observed between Cu and Ag in both sexes. No significant differences in concentrations were recorded between sexes for all seasons; contrarily, significant differences among the total seasonal concentrations (males plus females) were observed only for essential metals and for Ag. Seasonal Toxic Contamination Index (TCI) for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg were calculated to assess the toxicity level of metals in the sediments. TCI higher than 1 was detected for Ni only in summer, confirming the close connection between the fluctuating hydrological levels of the shallow Lake Trasimeno, strongly dependent on precipitation, and the metal contamination levels of sediments.

Ecosystem based approach to delineate coastal degradation of Hawks bay, Karachi, Pakistan

Hawks Bay (HB) a renowned recreational beach, an important small scale fishery and nesting ground of an endangered turtle species encountering massive environmental degradation. Its eastern bay cover scattered mangrove patches and the western bay embraces sandy and rocky beach that terminus the area into great ecological and economic concerns. Here, we have figured out tendency of contamination entering in the ecosystem and elaborate food ∼ web dynamics around HB. An integrated approach was applied to evaluate level of contamination in water, sediments, planktons, seaweeds, mangrove leaves, crabs and fishes. In the sampled population phytoplankton were comprises of (39 Taxa), zooplankton (21), crab (1) and fishes (9) from pelagic demersal domains. The concentration of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) were detected using double-beam Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The trophic transfer (TTF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and accumulation factor (AF) were calculated round the year. The CF reveals that the area is moderately contaminated whereas PLI (>1) indicate that area is massively polluted by the industrial wastes. Multivariate approach of Principle Component Analysis was applied using pooled data of TTF that defines PC-I (41.56%) and PC- II (31.44%) variability among axes. Evaluation of metal contamination from micro to macro and from surface to bottom exhibits considerable load being received by HB ecosystem echoes stringent actions to curb further degradation of an important area.

Large-Scale Mercury Dispersion at Sea: Modelling a Multi-Hazard Case Study from Augusta Bay (Central Mediterranean Sea).

This contribution discusses an example of potential multi-hazard effects resulting from an earthquake in a highly seismogenic area of the Mediterranean Sea, the Augusta Bay, which presents high levels of contamination in sediments and seawater, due particularly to high-concentrations of mercury as a result of a long-term industrial exploitation. In particular, a high-resolution hydrodynamic and transport model is used to calculate the effects of enhanced mercury spreading in the open sea after significant damage and collapse of the artificial damming system confining the embayment where a very high concentration of Hg occurs in seafloor sediments and seawater. Coupling high-resolution 3D dynamic circulation modelling and sediment–seawater Hg fluxes calculated using the HR3DHG diffusion–reaction model for both inorganic and organic Hg species offers a valuable approach to simulating and estimating the effects of spatial dispersion of this contaminant due to unpredictable hazard events in coastal systems, with the potential attendant enhanced effects on the marine ecosystem. The simulated scenario definitely suggests that a combination of natural and anthropogenic multi-hazards calls for a thorough re-thinking of risk management in marine areas characterised by significant levels of contamination and where a deep understanding of the biogeochemical dynamics of pollutants does not cover all the aspects of danger for the environment.

Geochemical Study of Heavy Metal Contamination of Shalmanrud River Sediments

Background &amp; Aims: Due to chemical stability, low degradation, and high bioaccumulation power at different levels of the food chain, heavy metals pose many ecological hazards to living organisms. Therefore, the present study investigated the concentrations of heavy metals As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn and evaluated the ecological, carcinogenic, and non-carcinogenic risks of the sediments of the Shalmanrud river. Materials and Methods: Nineteen samples were taken from 15 stations in summer 2021 as control and geochemical background to investigate the heavy metal contamination of the sediments of the Shalmanrud river. After preparation, the samples were chemically degraded using the ICPOES method with the digestion of four acids. Indicators of origin and contamination degree, including geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Contamination Factor (CF), and Contamination degree (Cd), were calculated to assess the level of sediment contamination. Results: Statistical results showed that the mean concentration of heavy metals increased as As Ni&gt; Cu&gt; V&gt; Zn&gt; Cr&gt;As. The EF index for all studied metals except two samples of Pb metal was less than 1, which indicates the lack of human activity and geogenic concentration of heavy metals in the area due to the geological characteristics of the area. The Contamination Factor (CF) study showed that most samples are in the low to medium contamination class. The results of the Contamination degree (Cd) of most samples of Shalmanrud river showed a moderate contamination trend. Examination of the Pollution Load Index (PLI) showed that most samples were not polluted in the Shalmanrud river. The Ecological Risk (ER) index and Environmental Risk (ER) index of heavy metals indicated a low risk of heavy metals in the sediments of the Shalmanrud river. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the potential risk for cancer and noncancerous diseases in children was higher than adults and by estimating the non-carcinogenic risk of all pathways (HI), Cr&gt; As&gt; Pb metals in the swallowing pathway and V&gt; Ni&gt; Cr metals were unauthorized in the study area and are hazardous to the health of residents around the Shalmanrud river. The study of contamination indices for Pb, Ni, and Cu metals showed a high level of contamination compared to other heavy metals in the area, which reflects the relatively heterogeneous distribution of these metals due to the geochemical diversity of geological units in the area and anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture, etc.

Fate of Particulate Matter Associated with Produced Water Discharge by Offshore Platforms in the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

In the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea), during monitoring of Production Water (PW) discharged from offshore platforms, high contamination levels of metals, PAH, and aliphatic hydrocarbons are detected in the sediment close to some installations. Here, we investigate for the first time, the transport and fate of the total suspended solids (TSS) associated with PW discharged by selected platforms, considering the separation of particulate matter from the water plume. We apply a 3D hydrodynamic model and a Lagrangian module to simulate the dispersion of PW suspended substances, then we relate the numerical results to the sediment contamination measured data. The TSS released with PW determines a negligible contribution along the water column and seems poorly related to the anomalies observed in the sediment contamination levels. This approach paves the way to assess the potential risks arising from TSS discharged with the PW on marine ecosystems and to optimize the environmental monitoring tools.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only in the Danube basin, but also in the large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing the level of heavy metals and their toxicity in sediments is the calculation of pollution indices. The present research aims to assess heavy metal pollution in the Lower Danube surface sediments collected along the Danube course (between 180 and 60 km) up to the point where the Danube River flows into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area is one of the largest European hydrographic basins. Five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed in two different seasons, i.e., the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment of heavy metal pollution revealed two correlated aspects: 1. a determination of the potential risks of heavy metals in sediments by calculating the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), and 2. an evaluation of the influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments, using three specific pollution indices, namely, the Geo–Accumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (CF), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results of this pioneering research activity in the region highlighted the presence of moderate metal (Ni and Cd) pollution and a low potential ecological risk for the aquatic environment.

Heavy metal content in pumpkin pond of Kutaraja Fishing Port Banda Aceh

Fishing port scan support fishery resources management by incorporating social-economic activities to improve the local community's welfare; however, it can also negatively impact the environment by increasing waste pollution to the surrounding waters. Kutaraja Fishing Port, Banda Aceh, is one of the active fishing ports that conduct multiple activities, such as industrials, transportations, and domestic activities threatening the environment through the production of pollution such as heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of heavy metals Zinc (Zn) and Chromium (Cr) and the sediment contamination level in the Kutaraja Fishing Port, Banda Aceh. This research was conducted in February 2021 at the water site of Samudra Kutaraja Fishing Port, Banda Aceh, and sampled sediments using the purposive sampling method. Samples were then analyzed for heavy metal concentration using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) instrument in the laboratory of the Aceh Industrial Research and Standardization Center (BARISTAND). The results showed that the concentration of heavy metal Zn ranged from 15.6507 - 27.2939 mg/kg. The majority of heavy metal Cr concentrations were below the test limit of 0.000, except at station 2, which was 9.1212. Both heavy metal concentrations are still categorized as low contamination criteria and still below the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC, 2000) and the Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment (CCME, 2002). This research proved that both heavy metals do not threaten the biota and have a low contamination level in the waters.Keywords:SedimentHeavy metal (Zn)Heavy metal (Cr)Atomic-absorptionSpectro-photometerAssessment

Sediment contamination and toxicity of Marine Protected Areas in southeastern Brazilian coast: A baseline for management planning

Recent studies have shown that the effectiveness of establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is threatened by toxic effects of contaminants. São Paulo is the most economically developed state of Brazil, and its coast is protected by a system of MPAs, including the North Shore Marine Protected Area (NSMPA). The present study provides a first assessment of sediment quality in NSMPA and two reference sites. Concentrations of arsenic (As), metals (Al, Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its sources were determined. Comparisons with sediment quality guidelines indicated low contamination, as confirmed by the Geoaccumulation Index, which classified the results as background levels. Whole-sediment exposures of the amphipod Tiburonella viscana were performed to estimate possible acute effects, but samples exhibited no toxicity. The results presented in this study represent a baseline for further monitoring programs of MPAs, supporting conservation actions of management plans.