Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.12.002
Title (Primary) Evidence for declining levels of heavy-metals in the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel, U.K. and their spatial distribution in sediments
Author Duquesne, S.; Newton, L.C.; Giusti, L.; Marriott, S.B.; Stärk, H.-J.; Bird, D.J.
Source Titel Environmental Pollution
Year 2006
Department ANA; OEKOTOX; SANA
Volume 143
Issue 2
Page From 187
Page To 196
Language englisch
Keywords heavy-metal; sediment; grain-size fraction; suspended particulates; contamination
Abstract Levels of heavy-metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) in suspended particulate and in surface and subsurface sediments were determined at seven locations in the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel. Sediment metal concentrations were highest at sites close to industrial centres but levels have decreased significantly over the last 30 years so that they are now close to, or meet, environmental quality guidelines. The greatest metal concentrations in deposited sediments were usually associated with the finest particulates at locations with muddy sediments, but this was not always true at sites with predominantly sandy sediments. The metals bound to suspended particulates at all sites were remarkably consistent, presumably reflecting the mixing capacity of this macro-tidal estuary. The re-exposure of older, more contaminated sediments could explain the observed differences between deposited and suspended material. Sediment redistribution due to strong seasonal currents might also explain the differences between winter and summer samples.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=2591
Duquesne, S., Newton, L.C., Giusti, L., Marriott, S.B., Stärk, H.-J., Bird, D.J. (2006):
Evidence for declining levels of heavy-metals in the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel, U.K. and their spatial distribution in sediments
Environ. Pollut. 143 (2), 187 - 196 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.12.002