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A 130 year record of pollution in the Suances estuary (southern Bay of Biscay): implications for environmental management |
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| Authors: | Irabien M J Cearreta A Leorri E Gómez J Viguri J |
| Institution: | a Departamento de Mineralogía y Petrología, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco/EHU, Apartado 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain b Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco/EHU, Apartado 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain c Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi, Zorroagagaina kalea 11, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain d Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda Herrera Oria s/n, 39011 Santander, Spain e Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Química Inorgánica, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain |
| Abstract: | Geochemical composition (Al, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr and As) and foraminiferal assemblages in surface and core sediments were determined to assess the current situation and the recent environmental transformation of the Suances estuary (southern Bay of Biscay, Spain). Dating of the historical record has been achieved using isotopic analysis (210Pb, 137Cs) and two benchmark events such as the beginning of the mineral exploitation in the Reocín Pb-Zn deposits and the evolution of the chlor-alkali industry (inputs of Hg). Concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd in both surface and core samples are remarkably higher than background values, reflecting the existence of significant amounts of polluted materials. The dramatic environmental impact of this pollution is clearly recorded by the change of the foraminiferal assemblages that even reach an afaunal stage during recent decades. Application of two different sets of Sediment Quality Guidelines confirm that they exert potential risk to the environment, and therefore if dredged they should need specific management measures.The results provide a reference database to monitor future environmental changes in the Suances estuary, particularly as regards the contaminated sediment storage and the re-colonization by autochtonous meiofauna. |
| Keywords: | Sedimentary record Heavy metals and As 210Pb 137Cs and Hg Foraminiferal assemblages Pollution assessment Suances estuary Spain |
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