1. Trace metals in sediments of two estuarine lagoons from Puerto Rico.
- Author
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Acevedo-Figueroa D, Jiménez BD, and Rodríguez-Sierra CJ
- Subjects
- Arsenic analysis, Cadmium analysis, Copper analysis, Environmental Monitoring methods, Fresh Water analysis, Iron analysis, Lead analysis, Mercury analysis, Puerto Rico, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis, Zinc analysis, Environmental Pollutants analysis, Geologic Sediments analysis, Metals, Heavy analysis, Trace Elements analysis
- Abstract
Concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb and Zn were evaluated in surface sediments of two estuaries from Puerto Rico, known as San José Lagoon (SJL) and Joyuda Lagoon. Significantly higher concentrations in microg/g dw of Cd (1.8 vs. 0.1), Cu (105 vs. 22), Hg (1.9 vs. 0.17), Pb (219 vs. 8), and Zn (531 vs. 52) were found in sediment samples from SJL when compared to Joyuda Lagoon. Average concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Zn in some sediment samples from SJL were above the effect range median (ERM) that predict toxic effects to aquatic organisms. Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer, and correlation matrices showed that metal pollution in SJL was the product of anthropogenic sources, while the metal content in Joyuda Lagoon was of natural origins. Sediment metal concentrations found in SJL were comparable to aquatic systems classified as contaminated from other regions of the world.
- Published
- 2006
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