Artículos de revistas
Trace metals: inputs, sedimentation and accumulation in San Vicente bay, Chile
Registro en:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 100
1573-2959
Autor
Ahumada, Ramón
Vargas, José
Resumen
Artículo de publicación ISI The present study deals with sediment dynamics affecting sediment-associated metal
distributions in an embayment system experiencing pollution from coastal industries. Sedimentary
metal content may originate from diagenetic processes of foundation rock on the bottom, allochthonous
minerals from natural sources, and metals from industrial effluents along the coast. The
study presents experimental estimations of quantities of metals entering the bay in industrial wastewater,
measurements of metal content in particulate material captured in sediment traps, and metals
distribution in surface sediments. Quantitative estimations of metals entering the system in industrial
effluent showed the relation Pb ≥ Zn > Cu > Cr ≥ Ni > Cd. That of metals associated with particulate
material from traps was Zn > Cr ≈ Cu ≥ Pb > Ni > Cd and the abundance of metals in sediments
was Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd. Finally, rates of bottom sediment accumulation are estimated
in relation to the time of residence of water in the bay. The experimental data on sedimentation and
sediment abundance were consistent with field observations on distribution and accumulation at sites
of major sedimentation in this bay.