Evidencing the Impact of Coastal Contaminated Sediments on Mussels Through Pb Stable Isotopes Composition

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Heavily contaminated sediments are a serious concern for ecosystem quality, especially in coastal areas, where vulnerability is high due to intense anthropogenic pressure. Surface sediments (54 stations), 50 cm interface cores (five specific stations), river particles, coal and bulk Pb plate from past French Navy activities, seawater and mussels were collected in Toulon Bay (NW Mediterranean Sea). Lead content and Pb stable isotope composition have evidenced the direct impact of sediment pollution stock on both the water column quality and the living organisms, through the specific Pb isotopic signature in these considered compartments. The history of pollution events including past and present contaminant dispersion in Toulon Bay were also demonstrated by historical records of Pb content and Pb isotope ratios in sediment profiles. The sediment resuspension events, as simulated by batch experiments, could be a major factor contributing to the high Pb mobility in the considered ecosystem. A survey of Pb co...
Funding Information
  • Communauté d'Agglomération de Toulon Provence Méditerranée
  • Département du Var
  • Région Aquitaine
  • Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
  • Agence de l'Eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse
  • European Regional Development Fund

This publication has 61 references indexed in Scilit: