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Poster (Scientific congresses and symposiums)
Cadmium and mercury sediment pollution along the British coastline of the Channel: A first spatio-temporal integrated approach
Richir, Jonathan; Pini, Jennifer; Watson, Gordon
2014SETAC Europe 24th Annual Meeting
 

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Keywords :
Cd; Hg; sediment; English Channel; monitoring
Abstract :
[en] Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg) are 2 widespread trace metals occurring in both terrestrial and marine environments. They play no physiological role and are often toxic even at low concentrations and were therefore identified as priority hazardous substances under the European Water Framework Directive and included in the European List I of Dangerous Substances. Marine sediments are considered as the ultimate sink of non-degradable metals, where they can accumulate in considerable quantities. The UK coastline has been polluted with metals for decades or even centuries and, although many studies have monitored sediment metal loads in specific locations, there has been no recent systematic monitoring approach along the whole of the south coast. In addition, few reliable data exist on decadal temporal trends for most sediment pollutants. Focusing on Cd and Hg, we have investigated their spatial and temporal distribution in sediment samples collected from 42 sites along the English coast of the Channel from 1990 to 2010. From a temporal point of view, data analyses showed that mean Cd levels in sediments significantly decreased by 59 % during that period of time, from 0.78 to 0.32 mg kgDW-1 of sediments. This reflects a decrease globally to below the 0.70 mg kgDW-1 Cd Threshold Effect Level (TEL). Adverse effects caused by Cd on the biota should, therefore, be rare. Spatially, Cd displayed an east-to-west increase of its levels, with several western sites with Cd still above the TEL. Regarding Hg, sediment levels did not significantly change from 1990 to 2010, remaining approximately twice as high as the corresponding 0.13 mg kgDW-1 Hg TEL. Hg also displayed an east-to-west increase of its levels, whilst 55 % of monitored sites had a mean sediment Hg concentration in average 3.5 times higher than the TEL. Despite regulations, non-degradable metals such as Cd and Hg that have accumulated in sediments over considerable periods of time may consequently still pose threats to aquatic organisms, highlighting the need for continued extensive spatially and temporally integrated monitoring approaches.
Research center :
University of Portsmouth, Institute of Marine Sciences
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Richir, Jonathan  ;  University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK > School of Biological Sciences > Institute of Marine Sciences
Pini, Jennifer
Watson, Gordon
Language :
English
Title :
Cadmium and mercury sediment pollution along the British coastline of the Channel: A first spatio-temporal integrated approach
Publication date :
15 May 2014
Number of pages :
A0
Event name :
SETAC Europe 24th Annual Meeting
Event place :
Bâle, Switzerland
Event date :
du 11 au 15 Mai 2014
Audience :
International
Name of the research project :
3C programme
Available on ORBi :
since 13 May 2014

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