Spatiotemporal Distribution and Sources of Trace Elements in Ave River (Portugal) Lower Basin: Estuarine Water, Sediments and Indigenous Flora

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Cristina Maria Cavadas Morais Couto (Author) Other; Cláudia Ribeiro (Author) Other; Ana Rita Ribeiro (Author) FEUP; Alexandra Maia (Author) FEUP; Mariana Santos (Author) Other; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan (Author) FFUP; Edgar Pinto (Author) Other; Agostinho Almeida (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Environmental Research

Vol. 13 No. 2

Pages: 303-318

ISSN: 1735-6865

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-D48

DOI: 10.1007/s41742-019-00174-z

Abstract (EN): This study aimed to assess the spatial and seasonal distribution and anthropogenic sources of trace elements (Li, Be, Al, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, and U) by ICP-MS in the Ave River lower basin, Portugal. Mean values (mu gL(-1)) of Al (2384), Zn (55.3), Se (34.6), Cu (24.7), Pb (12.7), Ag (0.75), and Cd (0.66), exceeded the water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. The decreasing order of trace elements concentrations in surface water and sediments was, respectively: Al>Zn>Se>Mo>Li>Ba>V>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr>U>Be>Co approximate to Sb>Ag approximate to Cd>Tl; and Al>Zn>Li>Ba>Cu>Pb>Cr>V>Ni>Co>U>Be>Se approximate to Mo approximate to Tl approximate to Cd approximate to Sb approximate to Ag. Moreover, the concentrations of nitrate values were higher than 50mgL(-1). To distinguish natural from anthropogenic sources, the geo-accumulation index (I-geo) and the enrichment factor (EF) of sediments were determined. I-geo revealed high contamination by Al, Mn, Ba and Zn, while EF evidenced enrichment for Se, Cd, Zn, Li, Cu, Ag, Pb and U. Bioaccumulation factors (BF) in flora suggested that macroalgae, Medicago marina L. and Plantago lanceolata L., might be accumulators of Se, Mo, Ba and Pb (BF>1). The highest translocation factor (TF) was found for Mo in leaves (33.6) and flowers (28.1) of P. lanceolata L.. Article HighlightsThe present work regards a comprehensive study on the occurrence, spatial distribution, possible sources and bioaccumulation of trace elements in this ecosystem, namely in water, sediments and native local flora (plants and macroalgae). In fact, various studies have demonstrated the high anthropogenic pressure of Ave River estuary, the presence of several classes of pollutants and the negative impacts in local aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, there are no studies regarding the monitoring of a large panel of trace elements considering three different matrices (water, sediments and plants) and their possible correlationPollution indices such as geo-accumulation (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) were also determined to investigate sources of these elements. Igeo revealed high contamination by Al, Mn, Ba and Zn, while EF evidenced enrichment for Se, Cd, Zn, Li, Cu, Ag, Pb and U. Bioaccumulation factors (BF) in flora suggested that macroalgae, Medicago marina L. and Plantago lanceolata L. might be accumulators of Se, Mo, Ba and PbThese monitoring data are important to alert local and national authorities to take actions and decisions to protect and improve water quality of Portuguese waterbodies and meet national and European requirements

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16