title: Spatial distribution of some trace and major elements in sediments of the Cávado estuary (Esposende, Portugal).
abstract: For the first time, the occurrence and spatial distribution of several elements, including some toxic metals, have been investigated in sediments of the estuary of the Cávado River (Esposende, Portugal). The pseudo total concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, V and Zn in sediments collected at 24 sites covering the tidal part of the estuary were determined. According to the concentrations measured, the Cávado estuary can be considered as non-contaminated. For most of the elements, the concentrations tended to be higher upstream. Only a moderate enrichment in Cr and Ni was detected in a few sites. An important decrease in concentration was observed for the most toxic metals compared to historical data reported in the literature. Several hotspots were identified, but even in those cases the amount of metals stored in the sediments does not represent a toxicological threat to living organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain. Electronic address: ainara.gredi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ainara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gredilla
authors.affiliation: CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teodor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stoichev
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fdez-Ortiz de Vallejuelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Azibar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Iruretagoiena
authors.affiliation: CIMAR/CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Morais
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Gorka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Diego
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Madariaga
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011174:Portugal; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Cávado estuary; Estuaries; Major elements; Pollution monitoring; Sediments; Trace elements