Chemical analyses of heavy metal contamination in sediments of the Venice Lagoon and toxicological implications.
Heavy metals are extracted from sediments using 1 M HCl; then, solutions are neutralised with 1 M NaOH, to fit the conditions suitable for the Vibrio Fischeri test. In the neutralised solutions different percentages of initial metal concentration are present, depending on the individual solubilities. The chemical investigation of the metal fraction extracted from the sediment with this procedure and the different metal bioavailability depending on the presence of natural complexing agents are the subject of this work. The results obtained confirm the good agreement between heavy metal fraction extracted using 1 M HCl and the anthropogenic component in the sediment. The use of voltammetric techniques, and the addition of low molecular weight humic acids into extracts show the ability of natural complexing agents in affecting heavy metal bioavailability and toxicity.
Passarini
F
F
Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Calle Larga S. Marta 2137, 30123 Venezia, Italy.
Pavoni
B
B
Ugo
P
P
D001681:Biological Assay; D001682:Biological Availability; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006812:Humic Substances; D007558:Italy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D014733:Vibrio; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity
D006812:Humic Substances; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014873:Water Pollutants