title: Bioassessment of trace element contamination of Mediterranean coastal waters using the seagrass Posidonia oceanica.
abstract: A large scale survey of the trace element (TE) contamination of Mediterranean coastal waters was performed from the analysis of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb in the bioindicator Posidonia oceanica, sampled at 110 sites differing by their levels of exposure to contaminants. The holistic approach developed in this study, based on the combined utilization of several complementary monitoring tools, i.e. water quality scale, pollution index and spatial analysis, accurately assessed the TE contamination rate of Mediterranean coastal waters. In particular, the mapping of the TE contamination according to a new proposed 5-level water quality scale precisely outlined the contamination severity along Mediterranean coasts and facilitated interregional comparisons. Finally, the reliability of the use of P. oceanica as bioindicator species was again demonstrated through several global, regional and local detailed case studies. NB: The designations employed and the presentation of the information in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the authors concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oceanology, MARE Centre, University of LIEGE, B6C, 4000 LIEGE, Sart Tilman, Belgium; Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth PO4 9LY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: jonathan.richir@alumni.ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richir
authors.affiliation: FRES 3041, EqEL, University of Corsica, Faculty of Sciences, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salivas-Decaux
authors.affiliation: FRES 3041, EqEL, University of Corsica, Faculty of Sciences, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France; UMR 241 EIO, University of French Polynesia, BP 6570, 98 702 Faa'a, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lafabrie
authors.affiliation: FRES 3041, EqEL, University of Corsica, Faculty of Sciences, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lopez y Royo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oceanology, MARE Centre, University of LIEGE, B6C, 4000 LIEGE, Sart Tilman, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gobert
authors.affiliation: FRES 3041, EqEL, University of Corsica, Faculty of Sciences, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pergent
authors.affiliation: FRES 3041, EqEL, University of Corsica, Faculty of Sciences, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pergent-Martini
mesh_terms: D035961:Alismatales / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Mediterranean; Pollution index; Posidonia oceanica; Spatial analysis; Trace element (TE); Water quality scale