engleski

Concentration of some elements in the Adriatic coastal sea sediments. Case study : the Kvarner Bay

Maritime transport of goods and people, including nautical tourism, is the most intensively growing activity in the Kvarner bay (Northern Adriatic, Croatia) consuming considerable amounts of its marine resources. Heavy metals, which are present in the antifouling paints used by cargo, passenger and pleasure boats, strongly impact marine environment diversity, health and vitality of its ecosystem and its productive capacity. The purpose of the study was to systematically investigate the distribution of major and trace elements along the Kvarner bay coast and islands, especially in the most exposed regions, such as marinas, shipyards, small harbours in the villages, ports and other places where ship repairs and paintings are performed. The elemental concentrations of some 16 elements in the sediment samples were investigated by the use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Contour maps for concentrations of individual chemical elements in the surface layer of sediments were produced indicating the level of sediment contamination from locations of potential pollution sources. Results showed that contents of the toxic elements Zn, Cu, As and Pb in sediments close to the marina or shipyard service areas were found to be several orders of magnitude greater than background values. The protection and remediation measures could be proposed based on these results. The treatment of waste waters in service areas of marinas and shipyards is one of such measures to be considered.

sea sediments ; trace elements ; EDXRF ; antifouling paints

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