title: Accumulation of trace metals in sediments in a Mediterranean Lagoon: Usefulness of metal sediment fractionation and elutriate toxicity assessment.
abstract: The authors investigated sediment quality in Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia) focusing on geochemical characteristics, metal sediment fractionation and elutriate toxicity assessment. Nickel, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd partitioning in sediments was studied; accumulation and bioavailability were elucidated using enrichment factors, sequential extractions, redox potential, acid volatile sulfide and biotest procedures in toxicity evaluation. Results revealed an accumulation for Pb and Zn, reaching 99 and 460 mg kg(-1) respectively. In addition, the acid volatile sulfide values were high in both eastern and western lagoon areas, thus affecting metal availability. Mean enrichment factor values for Pb and Zn were 4.8 and 4.9, respectively, with these elements as the main contributors to the lagoon's moderate enrichment level. Toxicity levels were influenced by accumulation of Zn in different surface sediment areas. Core sediments were investigated in areas with the highest metal concentrations; metal fractionation and biotest confirmed that Zn contributes to sediment toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Salammbô, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Noureddine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaaboub
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ, Faculdade de Geologia, Av. São Francisco Xavier, 524, Maracanã, 20550-013 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Virgínia Alves
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: IFREMER/Laboratoire Environnement Ressources PAC/Corse Imm Agostini, ZI Furiani, 20600 Bastia, France.
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhib
authors.affiliation: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Salammbô, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Béchir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Béjaoui
authors.affiliation: Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Laboratoire de Chrono-Environnement, UMR CNRS 6249, 16, route de Gray, F-25030 Besançon cedex, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galgani
authors.affiliation: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Salammbô, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Bour
authors.affiliation: IFREMER/Laboratoire Environnement Ressources PAC/Corse Imm Agostini, ZI Furiani, 20600 Bastia, France. Electronic address: lotfi.aleya@univ-fcomte.fr.
authors.forename: Lotfi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aleya
mesh_terms: D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D009532:Nickel; D010316:Particle Size; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D013440:Sulfides; D009532:Nickel
keywords: Bioassays; Coastal lagoons; Pollution effects; Toxicity; Trace metals