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International Journal of Environment Science and Technology
Center for Environment and Energy Research and Studies (CEERS)
ISSN: 1735-1472 EISSN: 1735-1472
Vol. 11, No. 5, 2014, pp. 1249-1258
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Bioline Code: st14122
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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International Journal of Environment Science and Technology, Vol. 11, No. 5, 2014, pp. 1249-1258
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Distribution of heavy metals and pollution pathways in a shallow marine shelf: assessment for a future management
Ruiz, F.; González-Regalado, M.L; Muñoz, J.M.; Abad, M.; Toscano, A.; Prudencio, M.I. & Dias, M.I.
Abstract
The spatial distribution and geoaccumulation
indices of four heavy metals were investigated in very
shallow marine sediments of southwestern Spain. Surface
sediments were collected from 43 sites with water depth
ranging from 3 to 20 m. High to very high pollution levels
(Igeo>4 for zinc, lead and copper) were detected near the
end of the Huelva bank, whereas chromium shows a more
hazardous distribution in the southwestern Spanish littoral.
Low to moderate heavy metal contents (mainly zinc and
lead) were also observed in other two areas at different water
depths (Isla Cristina-Piedras River: 10–18 m water depth;
Mazagón–Matalascañas: <10 m water depth), whereas
unpolluted to moderately polluted sediments were detected
in the very shallow zones (<8 m water depth) located
between the mouths of the Guadiana and the Piedras Rivers.
A regional scenario indicates a strong pollution of the adjacent
marine areas by polluted inputs derived from the Tinto–Odiel rivers, with a partial transport of heavy metals by W–E
littoral currents even 40 km eastward. The Guadiana River is
an additional source of zinc–lead contamination near the
Spanish–Portuguese border, mainly at water depths up to
10 m. All these rivers are affected by acid mine drainage
processes, derived from millennial mining activities. This
pollution affects the sediment quality even 40 km eastward.
Keywords
Environmental pollution; Trace metals; Geoaccumulation indices; Future assessment; Inner shelf
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