Spatial and vertical distribution of metals in sediment cores from Río Espíritu Santo estuary, Puerto Rico, United States

Williams, Nekesha B.; Block, K. A.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.08.007

Cited by 18 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The range of EF values for this study was generally greater than those reported for river sediment cores in the mostly forested Rio Espíritu Santo watershed in northeastern Puerto Rico, except for Cu (this study: 1.43-3.06; Rio Espíritu Santo: 1.94-3.99, Williams and Block, 2015). While elevated EF values for Cu in the Rio Espiritu were attributed to localized outcrops of copper/gold porphyry and copper skarn, this result could partially be attributed to the authors' use of world average shale for normalization; use of similar normalization values would increase the difference between the two datasets.…”

Section: Impacts On Aquatic Ecosystemscontrasting

confidence: 61%

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Spatial controls on riverbed sediment chemistry in three anthropogenically modified tropical mountainous watersheds

Papotto

Rodrigues

Siebert

et al. 2021

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Tropical mountainous rivers transport a disproportionate amount of sediment to the global ocean. While these systems also deliver sediment-related pollutants (i.e., metals) to the coast, the potential accumulation of metal contaminants within these systems has been largely unexplored. This study analyzed the trace metal concentrations of fine riverbed sediment (< 0.63 µm) collected from Rio Loco, Rio Yauco and Rio Guamaní in Puerto Rico. A total of 17 samples were collected in June 2019 (~ 21 months following Hurricane Maria) from these watersheds. Metal concentrations (Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb, Sn, U and Zn) were quantified with acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Strong positive correlations were found between Cd, Pb, Sb and Sn (r avg > 0.60, p < 0.05) as well as between Ba, Cr and Ni (r avg > 0.81, p < 0.05). A comparison of land cover with metal concentrations revealed positive statistical relationships between Cu, Sb, Sn and Zn with developed land and Cr, Ni and U with agricultural land. Between 7 and 50% of the samples exhibited enrichment factor values indicative of moderate to significant levels of contamination (EF > 2) for each metal. Additionally, several metal concentrations exceeded the consensus-based threshold effect and probable effect values. Altogether, these data confirm that metals do accumulate in tropical mountainous watersheds and can be found at concentrations that impact freshwater ecosystems. These elevated metal concentrations coupled with periodic flushing events, regularly supported by hurricanes, suggest a threat to nearshore ecosystems such as coral reefs.

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Section: Impacts On Aquatic Ecosystemscontrasting

confidence: 61%

“…The island of Puerto Rico experiences a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from May to December (Gellis, 2013), during which the island is subject to heavy rainfall (Fig. 2; Williams & Block, 2015). In addition, the island has a major hurricane recurrence frequency of 10 to 20 years (Warne et al 2005).…”

Section: Study Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial controls on riverbed sediment chemistry in three anthropogenically modified tropical mountainous watersheds

Papotto

Rodrigues

Siebert

et al. 2021

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…In comparison with Taranto Gulf [ 34 ] and Thermaikos Gulf [ 35 ], the mean concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr in the eastern Beibu Gulf were all lower. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr were lower than in Puerto Rico [ 36 ], while the concentration of Pb was higher. Furthermore, comparing with Leizhou Bay, the concentrations of Cu, Cd and Cr were also lower, while the concentrations of Pb and Zn were higher [ 37 , 38 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical Assessment and Spatial Analysis of Heavy Metals in the Surface Sediments in the Eastern Beibu Gulf: A Reflection on the Industrial Development of the South China Coast

Chen

Lin

Qian

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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The Beibu Gulf (also named the Gulf of Tonkin), located in the northwest of the South China Sea, is representative of a bay suffering from turbulence and contamination associated with rapid industrialization and urbanization. In this study, we aim to provide the novel baseline levels of heavy metals for the research area. Concentrations of five heavy metals (i.e., Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr) were determined in surface sediments from 35 sites in the eastern Beibu Gulf. The heavy metal content varied from 6.72 to 25.95 mg/kg for Cu, 16.99 to 57.98 mg/kg for Pb, 73.15 to 112.25 mg/kg for Zn, 0.03 to 0.12 mg/kg for Cd, and 20.69 to 56.47 mg/kg for Cr, respectively. With respect to the Chinese sediment quality criteria, sediments in the eastern Beibu Gulf have not been significantly affected by coastal metal pollutions. The results deduced from the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed that the study area has been slightly polluted by Pb, which might be caused by non-point sources. Relatively high concentrations of Cu, Pb and Cd were found around the coastal areas of Guangxi province, the Leizhou Peninsula and the northwest coast of Hainan Island, whereas the highest concentrations of Zn and Cr were found on the northwest coast of Hainan Island. Spatial distribution patterns of the heavy metals showed that bioavailable fractions of Pb were higher than in the residual fractions, while Cu and Cd concentrations in exchangeable and carbonate fractions were relatively higher than those in the bioavailable fractions. Hierarchical clustering analysis suggested that the sampling stations could be separated into three groups with different geographical distributions. Accompanying their similar spatial distribution in the study area, significant correlation coefficients among Cu, Cd and Pb were also found, indicating that these three metals might have had similar sources. Overall, the results indicated that the distribution of these heavy metals in the surface sediments collected from the Beibu Gulf was complex.

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“…The geoaccumulation index (I geo ) is a common parameter used to assess the metal contamination in sediments with a corresponding natural background level as a reference (Müller 1969;Najamuddin et al 2016;Williams and Block 2015):…”

Section: Contamination Levels Of Heavy Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical profile, contamination assessment of mercury and arsenic in sediment cores from typical intertidal zones of China

Wang

Pan

Han

et al. 2018

Environ Monit Assess

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The vertical profiles, contamination levels, and potential ecological risks of mercury and arsenic were studied from the sediment cores of seven typical intertidal zones, including the Liaohe River Estuary, the Jianhe River Estuary, the Dagu River Estuary, Yancheng Shoal, the Dongtan Yangtze River Estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and the Pearl River Estuary. Marine sediment quality standards, the threshold effect level (TEL), and the probable effect level (PEL) were used as guidelines to evaluate sediment quality. In addition, the geo-accumulation index (I) and potential ecological risk index ([Formula: see text]) were used to assess contamination and potential ecological risks from mercury and arsenic. The results showed that the Pearl River Estuary was moderately polluted by mercury and represented a high potential ecological risk, while other areas were uncontaminated or mildly contaminated with low or moderate potential ecological risks. The Pearl River Estuary was mildly polluted by arsenic and represented a mild potential ecological risk, while other areas were unpolluted and also posed a mild potential ecological risk.

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Spatial and vertical distribution of metals in sediment cores from Río Espíritu Santo estuary, Puerto Rico, United States

Cited by 18 publications

References 33 publications

Spatial controls on riverbed sediment chemistry in three anthropogenically modified tropical mountainous watersheds

Spatial controls on riverbed sediment chemistry in three anthropogenically modified tropical mountainous watersheds

Geochemical Assessment and Spatial Analysis of Heavy Metals in the Surface Sediments in the Eastern Beibu Gulf: A Reflection on the Industrial Development of the South China Coast

Vertical profile, contamination assessment of mercury and arsenic in sediment cores from typical intertidal zones of China

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