title: Metal contamination recorded in the sediment of the semi-closed Bakar Bay (Croatia).
abstract: This study presents metal levels in the sediments of the Bakar Bay, with its main goal to evaluate recent anthropogenic influence, as well as over previous decades. Sediment profiles at 7 sampling points were taken. Chemical contents in bulk sediment were obtained using ICP, ICP-MS, and AAS methodologies, and 20 most significant elements were presented. Concentrations of selected elements were evaluated by factor statistical analyses to identify their source. Also, metal enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index were calculated, and spatial distribution maps for three sediment layers were constructed. Measured metal concentrations in sediment were compared with concentrations in other sediments from the Adriatic Sea. In addition, a set of sediment quality guidelines were also applied in order to predict the probability of adverse biological effects on the benthic community: This was found not to be very serious. Factor analysis clearly demonstrates the segregation between metals of natural origin resulted from soil and bedrock weathering (Li, Al, Cr, Sc), and with two anthropogenic sources originating from the city of Bakar and bulk cargo terminal (Hg, Pb, Zn, Ag, Sn, and Fe). Mercury (max 0.65 μg g(-1)) is found to be the heaviest contaminant, followed by lead (max 71.5 μg g(-1)), copper (89.3 μg g(-1)), and zinc (156 μg g(-1)). However, this study shows that Bakar Bay is considerably less polluted with toxic metals than it was believed.
authors: Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, POB 180, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia, Neven.Cukrov@irb.hr.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Cukrov
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Frančišković-Bilinski
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bogner
mesh_terms: D061006:Bays; D002254:Carbonates / Q000032:analysis; D017523:Croatia; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
references: Mar Pollut Bull. 2011 Jan;62(1):154-67
references: 20864136
references: Mar Pollut Bull. 2011 Oct;62(10):2075-86
references: 21864863
references: J Environ Monit. 2010 Jan;12(1):36-47
references: 20081997
references: Environ Monit Assess. 2011 Apr;175(1-4):279-89
references: 20512619
references: J Hazard Mater. 2011 Feb 28;186(2-3):2129-37
references: 21257261
references: Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Feb;25(1):308-14
references: 20932891
references: J Environ Manage. 2005 Oct;77(1):1-11
references: 15946788
references: Appl Radiat Isot. 2010 Apr-May;68(4-5):807-11
references: 20071191