Multi-source water pollution in a highly anthropized wetland system associated with the estuary of Huelva (SW Spain)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 60; no. 8; pp. 1259 - 1269
• Main Authors: Barba-Brioso, C., Fernández-Caliani, J.C., Miras, A., Cornejo, J., Galán, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agrochemicals; Agrochemicals - analysis; Applied sciences; Dispersions; Environmental Monitoring; Estuary; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh Water - chemistry; Freshwaters; Heavy metals; Huelva; Land; Marine; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Natural water pollution; Nitrates - analysis; Phosphates - analysis; Pollution; Reservoirs; Seawater - chemistry; Seawaters, estuaries; Spain; Streams; Tidal marsh; Trends; Water Pollutants - analysis; Water pollution; Water treatment and pollution; Wetlands; Europe; Spain; ANE, Spain, Andalucia, Huelva; Huelva; Water pollution; Agrochemicals; Tidal marsh; Estuary; Heavy metals; Phosphates; Agricultural chemical product; Nitrogen compounds; Estuaries; Nitrates; Coastal zone; Transport process; Chemical pollution; Flood; Mineralization; Seasonal variation; Ecosystem; Impoundment; Stream; Phase partition; Wetland; Organic compounds; Seawater; Point source; Sewerage; Pollutant behavior; Pesticides; Hydrodynamics; Runoff water; Plume; Land use; Heavy metal; Trace element; Trend analysis; Surface water; Pollution source; Marsh; Nutrient; Phosphorus compound
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.03.018

Major ions, nutrients, trace elements and pesticides distribution were studied in a coastal wetland heavily impacted by human development in Spain. Past land use has altered the local hydrodynamics leading to the partitioning of the ecosystem into a tideland subject to marine influence, and an artificial freshwater reservoir created by stream impoundment. The tideland stretch is flooded twice a day with a heavy metal plume that emerges from the mine-polluted estuary of Huelva and propagates landward depicting the same dispersal trend of major seawater ions. Additionally, the tidal channel receives acid discharges from industrial point sources that contribute to metal enhancement. The impounded area and stream tributaries are affected by agrochemicals runoff (nitrate, phosphate, pendimethalin, simazine, diuron and therbuthylazine) from surrounding agricultural lands. The tidal regime plays a crucial role in the transport and dispersion of pollutants, except in the artificial reservoir where freshwater exhibits a seasonal mineralization pattern.