title: Reconstruction of metal pollution and recent sedimentation processes in Havana Bay (Cuba): a tool for coastal ecosystem management.
abstract: Since 1998 the highly polluted Havana Bay ecosystem has been the subject of a mitigation program. In order to determine whether pollution-reduction strategies were effective, we have evaluated the historical trends of pollution recorded in sediments of the Bay. A sediment core was dated radiometrically using natural and artificial fallout radionuclides. An irregularity in the (210)Pb record was caused by an episode of accelerated sedimentation. This episode was dated to occur in 1982, a year coincident with the heaviest rains reported in Havana over the XX century. Peaks of mass accumulation rates (MAR) were associated with hurricanes and intensive rains. In the past 60 years, these maxima are related to strong El Niño periods, which are known to increase rainfall in the north Caribbean region. We observed a steady increase of pollution (mainly Pb, Zn, Sn, and Hg) since the beginning of the century to the mid 90 s, with enrichment factors as high as 6. MAR and pollution decreased rapidly after the mid 90 s, although some trace metal levels remain high. This reduction was due to the integrated coastal zone management program introduced in the late 90 s, which dismissed catchment erosion and pollution.
authors: Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos, Carretera Castillo de Jagua, Cienfuegos, CITMA-Cienfuegos, Cuba. misael@ceac.cu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Díaz-Asencio
authors: J A Corcho
authors: JA
authors: Alvarado
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Alonso-Hernández
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Quejido-Cabezas
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Ruiz-Fernández
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sanchez-Sanchez
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Gómez-Mancebo
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Froidevaux
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Sanchez-Cabeza
mesh_terms: D003462:Cuba; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical