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Relationships Between Heavy Metals Contamination in Shallow Marine Sediments with Industrial and Urban Development in Catalonia (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea)

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Abstract

A total of 179 surface sediment samples from shallow waters have been collected in Catalonia (Northwestern Mediterranean) from 2002 to 2010 to analyze heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, V, and Zn) concentrations, organic matter content, and sediment size in order (i) to find baseline values, (ii) to investigate metal contamination trends, and (iii) to identify its spatial and temporal distribution. Highest metals concentrations were registered in the Barcelona metropolitan area and in the mouth of Besòs and Llobregat Rivers for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd. Mercury was also abundant in these areas but the highest record was found close to Tarragona. The concentrations agree with those reported in other studies performed in big river’s mouths and industrialized areas. The absence of large industrial activity and urbanization outside Barcelona and Tarragona explains the low metal contents found at the other sampling sites. Based on enrichment factor (EF), Pb was the most enriched metal. Results will provide a useful aid for sustainable marine management in Catalonia.

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgements are due to Agència Catalana de l’Aigua (Departament de Medi Ambient i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya) and INTRAMURAL-CSIC project reference 201330E065 for providing funds for this study. The authors are grateful especially to Maria Paola Satta for the analytical procedure of samples and the building-up of the data set and to Maria Garcia, Paula López, Simone Mariani, Xavier Torras, Maria Paola Satta, and Boris Weitzmann for their help in the field. Finally, thanks are due to Mariona de Torres for her constant support during this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes–CSIC, Accés Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain

    Susana Pinedo, Esther Jordana, Maria Monia Flagella & Enric Ballesteros

  2. Rodari School, Viale Piave 20, 10036, Torino, Italy

    Maria Monia Flagella

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  1. Susana Pinedo
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  2. Esther Jordana
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  3. Maria Monia Flagella
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  4. Enric Ballesteros
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Correspondence to Susana Pinedo.

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Pinedo, S., Jordana, E., Flagella, M.M. et al. Relationships Between Heavy Metals Contamination in Shallow Marine Sediments with Industrial and Urban Development in Catalonia (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea). Water Air Soil Pollut 225, 2084 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2084-9

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