International Journal of Oceans and Oceanography

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Heavy Metal and Dissolved Organic Matter Studies in Piraeus Port Sediments


Affiliations
1 Professor in Geochemical Oceanography, Lab of Geochemical Oceanography, Dept of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, 21 Gr. Lambraki & Distomou st, 18532 Piraeus, Greece
     

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The research paper aims to the geochemical study of port surface sediments. Total metal content and metal partitioning among the geochemical phases for selected surface sediment samples was investigated, in order to get information concerning metal source, mode of occurrence, biophysicochemical availability, mobilization and uptake in sediments. The different classes of organic components present in the dissolved organic matter (DOM) aqueous extracts isolated from the same samples set were characterized. For this purpose, sediment samples were collected from the Piraeus port (in the Saronikos gulf), the largest Greek seaport and one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea basin. Their sampling sites correspond to the passenger port, halfway between the northern edge of Psitalia island (hosting the Waste Water Treatment Plan of Athens) and the NE coastline of the mainland, seawards the container terminal. Total metal content and metal partitioning were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for the metals Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Sn. Fluorescence spectra of dissolved organic matter (DOM) aqueous extracts isolated from sediment samples were recorded. They correspond to mono dimensional emission spectra, excitation spectra, synchronous-scan excitation and total luminescence ones, in the form of excitation/emission matrix spectra (EEMS, contour maps). Humification indexes were calculated. Results showed elevated total concentrations of heavy metals in sediments and especially in the passenger port. The highest values for Cu, Pb and Zn occurred in the protected area of the passenger port attributed to limited water circulation and low water depth. This specific area was found also to correspond to high enrichment factors for Cu, Pb, Zn in comparison with the respective open sea background data, revealing a significant degree of metal pollution. The considerable metal presence mainly Cu and Zn at the exchangeable fraction as well as Mn and Ni at the carbonates strengthen the suggestion about severe metal pollution at the area. This is in accordance with the high Mn, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni and Fe values at the reducible fraction. Situation is worse at the region seawards the container terminal attributed to the most industrialized/commercialized character of this region. Transition metals showed a strong correlation with sulfides and especially Cu for organics too. Piraeus port sediments have the potential to release in solution significant amount of environmentally important trace metals. Consequently, Piraeus port can act as a metal hot spot and secondary pollution source for the adjacent coastal area, asking for special treatment. The dissolved organic matter released from the sediments consists of common fluorophores with the presence of fulvic acids, aquatic humic acids and natural organic matter. Differences were found according to water depth and water circulation.

Keywords

Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Geochemical Fraction, Marine Sediment, Metal Pollution, Piraeus Port
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  • Heavy Metal and Dissolved Organic Matter Studies in Piraeus Port Sediments

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Authors

Fani Sakellariadou
Professor in Geochemical Oceanography, Lab of Geochemical Oceanography, Dept of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, 21 Gr. Lambraki & Distomou st, 18532 Piraeus, Greece

Abstract


The research paper aims to the geochemical study of port surface sediments. Total metal content and metal partitioning among the geochemical phases for selected surface sediment samples was investigated, in order to get information concerning metal source, mode of occurrence, biophysicochemical availability, mobilization and uptake in sediments. The different classes of organic components present in the dissolved organic matter (DOM) aqueous extracts isolated from the same samples set were characterized. For this purpose, sediment samples were collected from the Piraeus port (in the Saronikos gulf), the largest Greek seaport and one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea basin. Their sampling sites correspond to the passenger port, halfway between the northern edge of Psitalia island (hosting the Waste Water Treatment Plan of Athens) and the NE coastline of the mainland, seawards the container terminal. Total metal content and metal partitioning were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for the metals Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Sn. Fluorescence spectra of dissolved organic matter (DOM) aqueous extracts isolated from sediment samples were recorded. They correspond to mono dimensional emission spectra, excitation spectra, synchronous-scan excitation and total luminescence ones, in the form of excitation/emission matrix spectra (EEMS, contour maps). Humification indexes were calculated. Results showed elevated total concentrations of heavy metals in sediments and especially in the passenger port. The highest values for Cu, Pb and Zn occurred in the protected area of the passenger port attributed to limited water circulation and low water depth. This specific area was found also to correspond to high enrichment factors for Cu, Pb, Zn in comparison with the respective open sea background data, revealing a significant degree of metal pollution. The considerable metal presence mainly Cu and Zn at the exchangeable fraction as well as Mn and Ni at the carbonates strengthen the suggestion about severe metal pollution at the area. This is in accordance with the high Mn, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni and Fe values at the reducible fraction. Situation is worse at the region seawards the container terminal attributed to the most industrialized/commercialized character of this region. Transition metals showed a strong correlation with sulfides and especially Cu for organics too. Piraeus port sediments have the potential to release in solution significant amount of environmentally important trace metals. Consequently, Piraeus port can act as a metal hot spot and secondary pollution source for the adjacent coastal area, asking for special treatment. The dissolved organic matter released from the sediments consists of common fluorophores with the presence of fulvic acids, aquatic humic acids and natural organic matter. Differences were found according to water depth and water circulation.

Keywords


Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Geochemical Fraction, Marine Sediment, Metal Pollution, Piraeus Port

References