engleski

A recent history of metal accumulation in the sediments of Rijeka harbor, Adriatic Sea, Croatia

With the main goal to evaluate the metal pollution in sediments of Rijeka harbor, it has been studied ; the nowadays anthropogenic influence as well as such an influence during the last decades. Sediments profiles at 10 sampling points were taken. Chemical contents in bulk sediment were obtained for 63 elements using ICP-MS method and selected elements concentrations were evaluated by factor statistical analyses. Also, metal enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index were calculated and spatial distribution maps were constructed. Hg was the heaviest pollutant, with concentrations exceeding 4 mg/kg. Ag was the second important pollutant with constantly increasing values. Average concentrations of the most toxic elements are comparable with other world port sediments and their toxicity is ranging from threshold values (Cr, As) over midrange effect values (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn Ni) to extreme effect values (Hg). The pollution with metals is decreasing during last decades, except Ag and Ba.

Rijeka harbor (Croatia) ; metals ; port sediments ; sediment quality

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