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Trace Metal Distribution and Enrichment in Benthic, Estuarine Sediments: Southport Broadwater, Australia

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Abstract

The distribution and enrichment of selected trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn) in benthic sediments of the Southport Broadwater, a semi-enclosed coastal body of water adjacent to the Gold Coast city, south-eastern Queensland, Australia, was studied with the objective of assessing the extent and degree of sediment contamination. Sediment samples from the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depth intervals of 32 sites within the Southport Broadwater and surrounding residential canals were analysed for particle size distribution, pH, organic C and ‘near-total’ major (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn) and trace (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn) metal contents. Sediment contamination for each trace metal was assessed by (1) comparison with Australian sediment quality guidelines, (2) calculation of the index of geoaccumulation based on regional background values, and (3) geochemical normalisation against Al (i.e. the abundance of alumino-silicate clay minerals). Based on this approach, the results indicate that submerged sediments in the study area are not presently enriched with Cd, Cr or Ni, with the spatial distribution of these metals being very well explained by the abundance of alumino-silicate clay minerals. However, several sites were strongly enriched with Cu, Pb, Sn and Zn, arising from sources related to either urban runoff or vessel maintenance activities. The study indicates that several varying approaches are needed for a satisfactory assessment of contaminant enrichment in estuarine sediments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia

    Edward D. Burton & Ian R. Phillips

  2. CRC for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management, Indooroopilly Sciences Centre, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly, QLD, 4068, Australia

    Edward D. Burton

  3. School of Australian Environmental Studies, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia

    Darryl W. Hawker

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  1. Edward D. Burton
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  2. Ian R. Phillips
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Correspondence to Edward D. Burton.

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Burton, E.D., Phillips, I.R. & Hawker, D.W. Trace Metal Distribution and Enrichment in Benthic, Estuarine Sediments: Southport Broadwater, Australia. Environ Geochem Health 27, 369–383 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-004-7086-x

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