title: Monthly variation of trace metals in North Sea sediments. From experimental data to modeling calculations.
abstract: Seasonal variation in trace metal contamination in surface sediments was studied through high resolution profiles assessed monthly by DGT probes in muddy sediments of the North Sea. General parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and sulfides were also recorded to estimate their role in the speciation of trace metals. Experimental data were included in a thermodynamic equilibrium model to calculate major (geo)chemical processes at the water-sediment interface and to predict the fate of the trace metals in case of (physico-)chemical changes. Results showed lowest Fe, Co, Ni and Cd concentrations in summer, which are most probably due to the very high sulfide concentrations according to our theoretical calculations. Cu and Pb behavior were found to be less influenced by sulfides, since they are also strongly associated to organic matter. The whole set of results clearly indicated that metal speciation in these sediments is controlled by sulfides and OM contents.
authors.affiliation: Université Lille 1, UMR-CNRS 8217, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; Université Libre de Bruxelles, Marine Biology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lourino-Cabana
authors.affiliation: Université Lille 1, UMR-CNRS 8217, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. Electronic address: Gabriel.billon@univ-lille1.fr.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Billon
authors.affiliation: Université Lille 1, UMR-CNRS 8217, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lesven
authors.affiliation: Gent University, Protistology & Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sabbe
authors.affiliation: Mons University, Proteomics and Microbiology Laboratory, Mons, Belgium.
authors.forename: D-C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Gillan
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dep. of Anal. and Env. Chemistry (ANCH), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dep. of Anal. and Env. Chemistry (ANCH), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leermakers
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Dep. of Anal. and Env. Chemistry (ANCH), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Baeyens
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009659:North Sea; D012621:Seasons; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D013440:Sulfides; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Porewater; Seasonal effect; Sediment; Sulfides; Thermodynamic calculations; Trace metals