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Metal contamination recorded in the sediment of the semi-closed Bakar Bay (Croatia)

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Abstract

This study presents metal levels in the sediments of the Bakar Bay, with its main goal to evaluate recent anthropogenic influence, as well as over previous decades. Sediment profiles at 7 sampling points were taken. Chemical contents in bulk sediment were obtained using ICP, ICP-MS, and AAS methodologies, and 20 most significant elements were presented. Concentrations of selected elements were evaluated by factor statistical analyses to identify their source. Also, metal enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index were calculated, and spatial distribution maps for three sediment layers were constructed. Measured metal concentrations in sediment were compared with concentrations in other sediments from the Adriatic Sea. In addition, a set of sediment quality guidelines were also applied in order to predict the probability of adverse biological effects on the benthic community: This was found not to be very serious. Factor analysis clearly demonstrates the segregation between metals of natural origin resulted from soil and bedrock weathering (Li, Al, Cr, Sc), and with two anthropogenic sources originating from the city of Bakar and bulk cargo terminal (Hg, Pb, Zn, Ag, Sn, and Fe). Mercury (max 0.65 μg g−1) is found to be the heaviest contaminant, followed by lead (max 71.5 μg g−1), copper (89.3 μg g−1), and zinc (156 μg g−1). However, this study shows that Bakar Bay is considerably less polluted with toxic metals than it was believed.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the financial and logistical support of the Port of Rijeka Authority and the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia under Projects 098-0982934-2720, “Interactions of trace metals in aquatic environments.” Also, we like to thank Ivan Grabar and Nuša Cukrov for help with sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička c. 54, POB 180, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    N. Cukrov & S. Frančišković-Bilinski

  2. Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63, 21000, Split, Croatia

    D. Bogner

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  1. N. Cukrov
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  2. S. Frančišković-Bilinski
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  3. D. Bogner
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Correspondence to N. Cukrov.

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Cukrov, N., Frančišković-Bilinski, S. & Bogner, D. Metal contamination recorded in the sediment of the semi-closed Bakar Bay (Croatia). Environ Geochem Health 36, 195–208 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-013-9558-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-013-9558-3

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