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. 2021 Feb 22;18(4):2136.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042136.

Coastline Levels of Dissolved Heavy Metals in the Estuarine Water-System of Vigo

Benita Pérez-Cid  1 , Elena Falqué  2 , Jesus Simal-Gandara  3
Affiliations

Coastline Levels of Dissolved Heavy Metals in the Estuarine Water-System of Vigo

Benita Pérez-Cid et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Limited attention has been directed toward the effects of maritime traffic on heavy metals and metalloids in seawater. Water samples were collected from the estuary of Vigo Ría in the summer of 2018. The chemical distribution of ten dissolved trace metals and metalloids (Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in water was determined from north to south (where the biggest city in the region is) and from east to west (where the maritime traffic is higher). Metal concentration in waters showed that most metals were below recommended water quality criteria by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of the samples had a Cu concentration higher at the entrance of the Vigo estuary, where maritime traffic is very important. Cu and Zn concentrations were highly correlated between them, showing a similar pollution origin, probably due to anti-fouling paints. Mn and Fe are elements influenced by river sources.

Keywords: Vigo Ría; dissolved trace metals and metalloids; estuarine-coastal water-system; maritime traffic; river influence; summer.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sampling points along the Vigo Ría in summer 2018.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Two-way ANOVA interactions amongst elements and cardinal axis {level at µg L−1 (y axis) vs. elements (x axis)}: (a) N/S, with Cu and Zn higher levels in the south (Vigo harbor) and (b) E/W, with Mn and Fe higher levels in the east (inner estuary).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Two-way ANOVA interactions amongst element ratios vs. Fe and cardinal axis (element level/Fe level ratios (y axis) vs. elements (x axis)): (a) N/S, with Cu/Fe & Zn/Fe higher levels in the south (Vigo harbor) and (b) E/W, with Cu/Fe and Zn/Fe higher levels in the west (outer estuary).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Biplot of the two main components obtained by principal component analysis (PCA) representing both water samples and detected elements.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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