Spatial distribution of trace elements and potential contamination sources for surface sediments of the North-Western Black Sea, Romania

Spatial distribution of trace elements and potential contamination sources for surface sediments of the North-Western Black Sea, Romania

It is essential to determine the concentrations of metals/metalloids in marine sediments and their contamination status to develop appropriate pollution control strategies and/or improve existing ones. Spatial distribution of aluminum (Al) and some trace elements, i.e. , arsenic (As), chromium (Cr),...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 10
Main Authors: Bucşe, Andra, Pârvulescu, Oana Cristina, Vasiliu, Dan, Rădulescu, Florina, Lupaşcu, Naliana, Ispas, Bogdan Adrian
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Lausanne Frontiers Research Foundation 12-01-2024
Frontiers Media S.A
Subjects:
Aluminium
Aluminum
Anthropogenic factors
Arsenic
Black Sea
Chromium
Clay
Contamination
contamination factor
Copper
Correlation analysis
Crude oil
Distribution
Heavy metals
Lead
Marine pollution
Marine sediments
Mercury
Metal concentrations
Metals
Nickel
Offshore
Offshore drilling
Organic matter
PCA
Pollution
Pollution control
Ports
Principal components analysis
Sediment
Sediment samplers
Sediment samples
Sediments
Silt
Soil erosion
Spatial distribution
Total organic carbon
Tourism
trace element
Trace elements
Water depth
Zinc
Black Sea
Danube River
Romania
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:It is essential to determine the concentrations of metals/metalloids in marine sediments and their contamination status to develop appropriate pollution control strategies and/or improve existing ones. Spatial distribution of aluminum (Al) and some trace elements, i.e. , arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), accumulated in surface sediments of the north-western (NW) Black Sea (Romanian zone) was evaluated. Sediment samples were collected in 2019 from 32 stations located at water depths in the range of 12.7–149 m. The mean values ± standard deviations ( SD ) of element concentrations were as follows: 3.9 ± 1.6% for Al, 11.2 ± 10.2 mg/kg for As, 64.8 ± 27.0 mg/kg for Cr, 32.7 ± 15.0 mg/kg for Cu, 0.10 ± 0.09 mg/kg for Hg, 45.3 ± 23.8 mg/kg for Ni, 24.6 ± 9.6 mg/kg for Pb, and 68.0 ± 28.0 mg/kg for Zn. These values are not significantly different ( p > 0.05) from those found in a previous study on surface sediments collected in 2018 from 22 stations located in the same area, but at lower water depths (13.5–67 m). Contamination factor ( CF ) was used to assess the contamination status of surface sediments. The mean values of CF (0.26–1.23) reveal low to moderate contamination with Pb and low contamination with the other elements. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis indicated that As, Cu, Ni, Hg, Pb, and Zn were associated with clay, silt, and organic matter, suggesting that these elements mainly came from the Danube discharges and also from local anthropogenic sources, whereas Al, Cr, and partly Hg, Pb, and Zn originated from rock/soil weathering and erosion. The concentration levels of As, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, TOC, silt, and clay were higher in sediments collected from stations generally located at higher water depths (up to 118 m), suggesting that the TEs associated with the finer carriers were transported offshore by currents and waves, whereas the concentration levels of Al, Cr, Hg, and Zn were higher in sediments with lower levels of CaCO 3 content (10.1–24.3%), collected from shallower stations (water depths of 12.7–42.0 m).
ISSN:2296-7745
2296-7745
DOI:10.3389/fmars.2023.1310164