Heavy metal pollution induced by a ferro-nickel smelting plant in Greece

Abstract

Seven heavy metals, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn, were measured in marine sediments, plants and invertebrates in the vicinity of a ferro-nickel smelting plant in Greece. The concentrations of metals in the sediment were higher than those found in the average unpolluted Greek coastal sediment. High levels of metals were observed in the gastropod molluscs, particularly Cerithium vulgatum, which concentrated metals more than other invertebrates.