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Heavy metal mixing behaviour in estuarine sediments in the Ria de Arousa (NW Spain). Differences between metals

1993; Elsevier BV; Volume: 128; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0048-9697(93)90179-a

1879-1026

Carlos Real, Rodolfo Barreiro, A. Carballeira,

Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis

We measured concentrations of total and extractable (HCl 1N) Fe, Al, Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni, and a series of related physico-chemical parameters, in sediments from the Ria de Arousa and the River Ulla estuary (Galicia, NW Spain). The results show that Ni, Cu and particularly Cr are being discharged, and allow identification of the sources of pollution. A model was developed, using Cu as the tracer, to describe the mixing of river sediments with marine sediments. Concentrations of extractable Cu, total Ni, total extratable Zn, and extractable organic matter were accurately predicted. The model did not provide an adequate description of the behaviour of Cr, and we discuss possible reasons for this.