Factors affecting the distribution of trace elements in harbour sediments |
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| Authors: | Monia Renzi Antonio Tozzi Davide Baroni Silvano Focardi |
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| Institution: | 1. Research Centre in Lagoon Ecology , Fishery and Acquacolture (Ecolab) Polo Universitario Grossetano , Orbetello , Italy;2. Department of Environmental Science , University of Siena , Italy renzi2@unisi.it;4. Department of Applied Physical Science , ASL 9, Grosseto , Italy;5. Department of Environmental Science , University of Siena , Italy;6. Department of Environmental Science , University of Siena , Italy |
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| Abstract: | A large number of data (n=488) were acquired from 2003 to 2006 for five Italian harbours and three control areas to determine trace element (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Cr, and Ni) levels in sediments. Results were utilised to evaluate, on a multivariate statistical basis, pollution levels, significant relationships between observed levels and specific factors, and enrichment factors. Of the factors tested, main human use of harbour, was best able to determine segregations in the observed trace element fingerprints. Compared with the concentration limit approach, the evaluation of enrichment factors, even if affected by mathematical approximations, represented a useful tool for environmental studies, allowing evaluation of the presence of sediments enriched by human activities and reducing the occurrence of both false positives and false negatives due to natural differences in aluminosilicate levels. |
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| Keywords: | harbour trace elements sediments enrichment factors |
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