Sediment and suspended matter lead contamination in the gulf of kavala, Greece

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 115; no. 1-3; pp. 433 - 449
• Main Authors: STAMATIS, Nikolaos, KAMIDIS, Nikolaos, SYLAIOS, Georgios
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrect Springer 01.04.2006; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Applied sciences; Chemical industry; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Contamination; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental science; Exact sciences and technology; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Grain size; Greece; Harbors; Industry; Lead; Lead - analysis; Lead poisoning; Natural water pollution; Organic matter; Particle size; Particulate matter; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Pollution, environment geology; Seawater - analysis; Seawaters, estuaries; Sediment; Sediments; Soil and sediments pollution; Suspended matter; Suspended particulate matter; Water circulation; Water column; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Greece; Aegean Sea; Mediterranean Sea; Europe; Greece, Anatoliki Makedonia Kai Thraki, Kavala; MED, Greece; MED, Eastern Mediterranean; Greece, Anatoliki Macedonia Kai Thraki, Kavala, Former Yugoslav Republic; Cluster analysis; Organic matter; Gulf; Sediments; Spatial variation; Coastal zone; Heavy metal; Greece; Suspended particle; Particle size distribution; Enrichment factor; Water quality; Lead; coastal pollution; Water pollution; Concentration distribution; Seawater; Anthropogenic factor; Gulf of Kavala
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-006-7238-9

Sediment and suspended particulate matter samples from 24 stations in the Gulf of Kavala have been examined for lead contamination. Grain size analysis and organic matter content were also performed. Total -- anthropogenic sediment lead concentrations and enrichment factors at stations close to harbors and chemical industries were found higher (up to 209-135 micro g/g and 4.12 respectively), in relation to concentrations from the rest of the coastal zone. In the above areas, increased suspended particulate lead in the bottom of the water column was also recorded (up to 109 micro g/g). Total sediment lead concentrations composed of high natural Pb background increased with decreasing grain size, suggesting their association with the fine fractions of the sediments (31.1-66.0% mud presence) and the organic matter content (6-9% higher values). Overall, higher total lead concentrations in the sediments, determined by this work, appear to be significantly different from those reported for the Gulf of Kavala in previous studies and similar to those detected in other highly contaminated eastern Mediterranean coastal areas.