title: Characterization and evolution of the sediments of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located next to a former mining area.
abstract: Coastal lagoons are ecosystems that are relatively enclosed water bodies under the influence of both the terrestrial and the marine environment, being vulnerable to human impacts. Human activities, such as mining extraction, are significant anthropogenic coastal stressors that can negatively affect ecosystems and communities. In light of the above, the objective of this research is to examine the influence of metal mining activities on the composition of sediments of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon, named Mar Menor. This paper presents a comprehensive characterization for grain size, mineralogy, geochemistry and organic matter of sediments of this coastal lagoon, investigating their variation along space and time. Sedimentation dynamics are ruling clearly the grain size predominant in each area of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon, determining the existence of entrainment, transport and sedimentation areas. For minerals, elements and organic matter, sedimentation dynamics are also determining their distribution.
authors.affiliation: Área de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Dpt. Ciencia y Tecnología Agraria, Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo de Alfonso XIII, 48., E-30203 Cartagena, Spain. Electronic address: gregorio.garcia@upct.es.
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agraria, Área de Edafología, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo Alfonso XIII 50, 30203 Cartagena, Spain. Electronic address: amv.tana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Vera
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008906:Mining
keywords: Coastal lagoon; Mar Menor (SE Spain); Metal mining waste; Sedimentation dynamics; Sediments