Ecological interpretation of metal contents and contaminant source characterisation of sediments from a megatidal estuary.
Sediments and the associated biota constitute an important compartment in the biogeochemical cycle of trace metals in soft substrate megatidal estuaries. The relationship between physicochemical, ecological properties, metal concentrations determined in megatidal estuary sediments from the French coast of the English Channel, the Baie des Veys and the macrobenthic organisms, are analysed, interpreted and reported. Total concentrations of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper were measured in mudflats and saltmarsh sediments using Differential Pulse Voltammetry. Sediment characteristics were obtained by measurement of particle size, water content, total organic carbon and carbonate content, using AFNOR standards. A semi-quantitative scale was used for assessing the density of the macrobenthic flora and fauna at each sampling site. Analysis of data obtained from this study showed a correlation between the concentrations of monitored trace metals and species of the macrobenthic fauna. The results of this study show that the physico-chemical characteristics of the sediments affect the retention of metals in the sediment and this in turn affects the biota.
Hull Environment Research Institute, Faculty of Science and the Environment, University of Hull, Scarborough Campus, Scarborough, YO11 3AZ, United Kingdom.
A O
AO
Ibhadon
Jean-Paul
JP
Ducrotoy
Bernard
B
Sylvand
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D004463:Ecology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005602:France; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D007448:Invertebrates; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010316:Particle Size; D010944:Plants; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical