Copper, zinc and lead speciation in salt marsh sediments colonised by Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima.
Total concentrations and fractionation of Cu, Zn and Pb in seven operationally defined phases (exchangeable, carbonates, manganese oxides, organic complexes, amorphous iron oxides, crystalline iron oxides and residual) were determined in sediments colonised by the halophyte species Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima in a Tagus estuary salt marsh (Portugal). We aimed to determine whether the speciation of these metals was different in areas colonised by each halophyte. Higher concentrations of Cu, Zn and, in particular Pb, were found in the rhizosphere of S. maritima than in the root sediments of H. portulacoides. Geochemical fractionation of Cu, Zn and Pb in sediments of the salt marsh depended upon the metal, and for Zn and Pb clearly varied with depth and with the colonising species. The higher redox potential observed in sediments colonised by H. portulacoides may in part explain the observed differences in the speciation of Cu, Zn and Pb.
Reboreda
Rosa
R
Institute of Oceanography, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal.
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D027703:Amaranthaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D053833:Wetlands; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc