Evidencing the Impact of Coastal Contaminated Sediments on Mussels Through Pb Stable Isotopes Composition.
Heavily contaminated sediments are a serious concern for ecosystem quality, especially in coastal areas, where vulnerability is high due to intense anthropogenic pressure. Surface sediments (54 stations), 50 cm interface cores (five specific stations), river particles, coal and bulk Pb plate from past French Navy activities, seawater and mussels were collected in Toulon Bay (NW Mediterranean Sea). Lead content and Pb stable isotope composition have evidenced the direct impact of sediment pollution stock on both the water column quality and the living organisms, through the specific Pb isotopic signature in these considered compartments. The history of pollution events including past and present contaminant dispersion in Toulon Bay were also demonstrated by historical records of Pb content and Pb isotope ratios in sediment profiles. The sediment resuspension events, as simulated by batch experiments, could be a major factor contributing to the high Pb mobility in the considered ecosystem. A survey of Pb concentrations in surface seawater at 40 stations has revealed poor seawater quality, affecting both the dissolved fraction and suspended particles and points to marina/harbors as additional diffuse sources of dissolved Pb.
Université de Toulon , PROTEE, EA 3819, 83957 La Garde, France.|Water Quality Center, Trent University , 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J 7B8.
Duc Huy
DH
Dang
Université de Bordeaux , UMR 5805 EPOC, CS50023, Av. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 33615 Pessac Cedex, France.
Jörg
J
Schäfer
IFREMER, LBCM, Centre Atlantique, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, 44311 Nantes, France.
Christophe
C
Brach-Papa
Université de Toulon , PROTEE, EA 3819, 83957 La Garde, France.
Véronique
V
Lenoble
Université de Toulon , PROTEE, EA 3819, 83957 La Garde, France.
Gaël
G
Durrieu
Université de Bordeaux , UMR 5805 EPOC, CS50023, Av. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 33615 Pessac Cedex, France.
Lionel
L
Dutruch
IFREMER, LBCM, Centre Atlantique, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, 44311 Nantes, France.
Jean-Francois
JF
Chiffoleau
IFREMER, LBCM, Centre Méditerranée - Zone Portuaire de Brégaillon - CS20 330 - 83507 La Seyne-sur-Mer Cedex, France.
Jean-Louis
JL
Gonzalez
Université de Bordeaux , UMR 5805 EPOC, CS50023, Av. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 33615 Pessac Cedex, France.
Gérard
G
Blanc
LASEM-Toulon, Base Navale De Toulon, BP 61, 83800 Toulon, France.
Jean-Ulrich
JU
Mullot
Université de Toulon , PROTEE, EA 3819, 83957 La Garde, France.
Stéphane
S
Mounier
Université de Toulon , PROTEE, EA 3819, 83957 La Garde, France.
Cédric
C
Garnier
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003031:Coal / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007554:Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D045483:Rivers; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
D003031:Coal; D007554:Isotopes; D007854:Lead