Trace metals, PAHs, and PCBs in sediments from the Jobos Bay area in Puerto Rico (original) (raw)
Related papers
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
As part of an assessment of land-based sources of pollution in Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico, sediment samples were collected at 43 sites to characterize concentrations of a suite of pollutants, including metals. Fifteen major and trace metals (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn) were measured along with total organic carbon and grain size in surficial sediments. For most metals, maximum concentrations were seen in the eastern bay; however, values were still within concentration ranges found in other estuarine systems. In contrast, silver was higher in the western region. In general, metal distribution in the bay was positively correlated with grain size. Additionally, correlations between Al and other metals suggest natural sources for metals. The data presented here suggest that, although the Jobos Bay watershed contains both urban centers along with industrial and agricultural developments, anthropogenic inputs of metals may be negligible.
Organic and metal contamination in marine surface sediments of Guánica Bay, Puerto Rico
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2014
Land based sources of pollution have the potential to adversely impact valuable coral reef ecosystems. In Guánica Bay (Puerto Rico) sediment samples collected and analyzed in 2009 demonstrate unusually high concentrations of total chlordane, total PCBs, nickel and chromium. A variety of other contaminants (total DDT, total PAHs, As, Cu, Hg, and Zn) were also at levels which may indicate sediment toxicity. With the exception of chromium, all of these contaminants were detected in coral tissues (Porites astreoides), although it is unclear at what level these contaminants affect coral health. PCBs and chlordane are environmentally persistent and likely represent legacy pollution from historical uses in close geographic proximity to the Bay. We hypothesize that the high nickel and chromium levels are due to a combination of naturally high Ni and Cr in rock and soils in the watershed, and enhanced (human driven) erosional rates.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2006
Surface sediment samples collected from the Salina Cruz Bay in the last twenty years, were analyzed for the total available trace elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, V, and Zn) to evaluate metal contamination due to possible anthropogenic inputs. Normalization of metals to iron and fine-grained fraction (< 63 μm) indicated relatively high enrichment factors for lead during the last two decades. Sediment Quality Guidelines suggest that lead must be considered as a chemical of potential concern in the marine and estuarine ecosystem. Concentration levels of lead ranged from 5–124 μg/g, while Ni and V below 70 and 30 μg/g, respectively. Geoaccumulation and enrichment factors for the rest of elements show comparable values to those reported for sites with similar activities in the world. Spatial distribution suggests that in addition to harbor activities, a transboundary source for Pb must account for the observed trends.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2012
Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in a sediment core from the tropical freshwater inner lagoon of Las Matas, near the petroleum industrial area of Minatitlán-Coatzacoalcos, in the Gulf of Mexico. A 210 Pb-derived chronology was used to reconstruct the historical PAH and PCB accumulation in the site during one century . Both geochemical and sedimentological data indicated that a major change occurred in 1947 ± 4, including a shift to coarser sediments and a significant decrease of Al, Li, Fe, organic C and total N contents. This was likely due to the changes in hydrology caused by the confinement of Las Matas Lagoon due to the construction of the Trans-Isthmus road in 1946. PAHs in these samples show relatively low concentrations (259-1176 ng g À1 ), and the congener relative abundances indicate the influence of pyrogenic (petroleum combustion) sources. Total PCB concentrations in the sediments ranged from 24 to 77 ng g À1 , and are composed by low chlorinated PCBs, with 3-and 4-CB as the prevalent species (51-65% and 29-40%, respectively). PAHs and PCBs were detected at depths corresponding to the early 1900s, when Minatitlán refinery started operations, although their time evolution appears to be influenced by different accumulation processes. The PCB background is most likely produced by the combustion of natural organic matter, and an industrial contribution can be recognized when normalizing with OC contents. We concluded that atmospheric deposition is the most significant source of PAHs and PCBs for this water body. This study also provided evidence of the alteration of the wetlands surrounding this industrial area due to urbanization; the fragmentation and alteration of Las Matas Lagoon hydrology contributes to the gradual loss of the wetlands in the zone.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2015
BTs, PAHs, OCPs and PCBs were assessed in a mid-latitude environment of the Patagonian coast, distant from important pollutant sources. Bioaccumulation processes through bottom sediment re-suspension were suggested by BTs level found in surface sediment (<LOD-166.5 ng (Sn) g-1 dw) and bivalve mollusks (29.4-206.0 ng (Sn) g-1 dw); while imposex incidence was only 15% in the gastropod P. plumbea collected near a harbor. Low hydrocarbon pollution was found in sediments and bivalves with ∑PAHs(16) ranging from<LOD to 94.9 and from<LOD to 54.9 ng g-1 dw, respectively. Values were typical of locations distant from pollutant sources and showed different compositional patterns for both substrates. However, concentrations for some individual PAHs in sediments were found over the threshold effect level (TEL).On average ΣPCB not exceed the SQGs being 0.57 ± 0.88 ng g-1 dw in sediments and 0.41 ± 0.26 ng g-1 dw in bivalves. Average ΣOCPs in sediments were 0.53 ± 0.34 ng g-1 dw and ranged from <LOD to 0.22 ng g-1 dw in bivalves, showing a different pattern and suggesting a different accumulation pathway as it was found for PAHs. While both discrete and atmospheric sources can be considered for PAHs, OCs pollution was clearly related to atmospheric global transport, indicating that in the studied area, OCPs and PCBs suffer permanent or temporal deposition during their migration to southern zones.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2008
This work evaluates current metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and the operational bio-available chemical extraction fraction in surface sediments in Mazatlán Harbor in Northwest México. Sediment samples were also analyzed for organic carbon, carbonates and particle size. Ranges of bulk metal were as follows: Cd from 3.1 to 3.3 lg/g, Cu from 31.9 to 44.9 lg/g, Pb from 49.6 to 54.0 lg/g, and Zn from 217.8 to 323.5 lg/g. In terms of biological effects, metals concentrations in the sediments lie between the low and median ranges of the mean quality guideline criteria. Comparatively, the metals concentrations increased from 1983 to 1994 and then for 2006, except Pb and Cd that decreased in the last period of time. The bio-available fraction of metals increased from 1983 to 1994, but only bio-available Cu increased from 1994 to 2006, due to mobilization of this metal from the organic matter-sulfide phase.
Assessment of sediment pollution by metals. A case study from Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba
Marine pollution bulletin, 2016
Sediments were grouped in three zones of the bay: two in the northern basin with higher metal contamination; and another in the southern basin, where lithogenic metals were predominant. Sediment pollution classification made using Index of geoaccumulation and Enrichment factor was consistent, indicating higher accumulation of Cd and Pb in the northern basin. The negative influence of activities linked to petrol was predicted by V/Ni and V/(Ni+V) ratios. Cd and Pb did not represent a potential risk; while Cu and Ni could be risky for biota in most sediment, according to Screening Quick Reference Tables (SQuiRTs). Comparison of bioavailable fraction of metals with references in SQuiRTs corroborated the low potential damage on the biota due to As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn; and a higher potential damage due to Cu; while an attenuation of the risk due to Ni predicted by SQuiRTs could be expected.