Bioassessment of trace element contamination of Mediterranean coastal waters using the seagrass Posidonia oceanica

[en] A large scale survey of the trace element (TE) contamination of Mediterranean coastal waters was performed from the analysis of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb in the bioindicator Posidonia oceanica, sampled at 110 sites differing by their levels of exposure to contaminants. The holistic approach developed in this study, based on the combined utilization of several complementary monitoring tools, i.e. water quality scale, pollution index and spatial analysis, accurately assessed the TE contamination rate of Mediterranean coastal waters. In particular, the mapping of the TE contamination according to a new proposed 5-level water quality scale precisely outlined the contamination severity along Mediterranean coasts and facilitated interregional comparisons. Finally, the reliability of the use of P. oceanica as bioindicator species was again demonstrated through several global, regional and local detailed case studies. NB: The designations employed and the presentation of the information in thisdocument do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the authors concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Research Center/Unit :

MARE - Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - ULiège

Disciplines :

Earth sciences & physical geography

Author, co-author :

Richir, Jonathan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanologie

Salivas-Decaux, Maÿlis

Lafabrie, Céline

Lopez y Royo, Cecilia

Gobert, Sylvie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanologie

Pergent, Gérard

Pergent-Martini, Christine

Language :

English

Title :

Bioassessment of trace element contamination of Mediterranean coastal waters using the seagrass Posidonia oceanica

Publication date :

15 March 2015

Journal title :

Journal of Environmental Management

ISSN :

0301-4797

eISSN :

1095-8630

Publisher :

Academic Press, London, United Kingdom

Volume :

150

Pages :

486-499

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

Collectivity of Corsica
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique
French Water Agency
French-Speaking Community of Belgium

Funding text :

Funding was provided by the Territorial Collectivity of Corsica, the French Water Agency, the FRS-FNRS (FRFC 2.4.502.08) and the French Community of Belgium (ARC RACE 05/10-333)

Available on ORBi :

since 05 January 2015

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