title: Metal contamination in water, sediment and biota from a semi-enclosed coastal area.
abstract: This study identifies and quantifies the spatial variations of metal contamination in water, sediment and biota: the common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) and the Mermaid's glove sponge (Haliclona oculata), within a heavily anthropogenically impacted semi-enclosed estuarine-coastal area with a low ability to disperse and flush contaminants (Poole Harbour, UK). The results showed that metal contamination was detected in all environmental compartments. Water was polluted with As, and Hg sediment metals were mostly within "the possible effect range" in which adverse effects occasionally occurs. Cockles had considerable concentrations of Ni, Ag and Hg in areas close to pollution sources, and sponges accumulate Cu and Zn with very high magnitude. A systematic monitoring approach that includes biological monitoring techniques, which covers all embayments, is needed, and an integrated management of the semi-enclosed coastal zones should be based on the overall hydrological characteristics of these sensitive areas and their ability to self-restore which is different than open coastal zones.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. wmes1g08@soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aly
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Malcolm D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058448:Biota; D049873:Cardiidae / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011161:Porifera / Q000378:metabolism; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical