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Benthic foraminifera and heavy metals distribution: a case study from the Naples Harbour (Tyrrhenian Sea, Southern Italy).
- Source :
-
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) [Environ Pollut] 2006 Jul; Vol. 142 (2), pp. 274-87. Date of Electronic Publication: 2005 Dec 15. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- The analysis of 90 surficial sediments from three docks of the Naples Harbour (Levante, Granili, and Diaz) permits to compare the distribution modes of heavy metals with grain sizes, total organic carbon content (TOC) and distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera. Foraminiferal density and species richness decrease with the increasing toxic elements concentrations from the Levante to the Diaz dock. Median concentrations of Ni, Pb, Zn, and Hg (medians of 21.43 mg/kg, 270.24 mg/kg, 489.65 mg/kg, and 1.18 mg/kg, respectively) were reported for the Diaz dock where foraminifera are absent, thus suggesting a possible impact of toxic elements on the benthic ecosystem balance. Compared to the unpolluted marine sediments of the Granili dock, the Levante area shows higher heavy metals levels and a quasi-oligotypic benthic assemblage. This is dominated by the tolerant species Ammonia tepida that may be used as bio-indicator of pollution of anthropised marine sediments.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Industrial Waste
Italy
Lead analysis
Lead toxicity
Mercury analysis
Mercury toxicity
Nickel analysis
Nickel toxicity
Particle Size
Seawater
Zinc analysis
Zinc toxicity
Zooplankton
Environmental Monitoring methods
Eukaryota drug effects
Geologic Sediments chemistry
Metals, Heavy toxicity
Ships
Water Pollutants, Chemical toxicity
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0269-7491
- Volume :
- 142
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16343716
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.10.026