Abstract
Sediments are important carriers of pollutants and they help greatly in describing the aquatic ecosystem relating state. The aim of this study is to characterize the Kalaât Andalous harbor lagoon sediments’ grain size, their spatial distribution as well as their relating quality. To this end, a study of their trace elements content has been conducted to highlight the associated natural and anthropogenic contribution. Hence, twelve subsurface lagoon sediment samples were extracted at the level of six radials and subjected to a granulometric analysis. The calculation of such indexes as the average mean size (MZ), sorting index (σ) and asymmetry index (SKI) helped greatly in defining the grain size-distribution character. Samples underwent different analyses in a bid to evaluate seven trace metals relevant rates (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn). The obtained metal concentrations were compared to the American Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) guidelines, ERL and ERM. The enrichment factor (EF) analysis is used to assess the contamination level, and distinguish both of the relating natural and anthropogenic origin sources. The reached results proved to display that the sediments turn out to be predominantly sandy, with fine sand dominating the area, while medium sand is being located at the channel and the south-western section of the quay. The latter is characterized with a muddy facies. The majority of trace elements’ concentrations are discovered to be lower than the ERL values. The implemented enrichment factors proved to indicate that the lagoon is mainly enriched in As and Cd.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Brik, B., Ayadi, A., Riahi, C., Sdiri, A., Regaya, K.: Contamination levels and vertical distribution of trace metals with application of geochemical indices in the sediment cores of the Bizerte lagoon-Ichkeul lake complex in Northeastern Tunisia (2017)
Bryan, G.W.: Heavy metal contamination in the sea. In: Johnston, R. (ed.) Marine Pollution, pp. 185–302. Academic Press, London (1976)
Shang, Z., Ren, J., Tao, L., Wang, K.: Assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from Gansu section of yellow rivers, China. Environ. Mont. Assess. 187(79), 10 (2015)
Denton, G.R.W., Concepcion, L.P., Wood, H.R., Morrison, R.J.: Trace metals in sediments of four harbours in Guam. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 50, 1121 (2005)
Nemati, K., Bakar, N.K.a, Abas, M.R., Sobhanzadeh, E.: Speciation oh heavy metals by modified BCR sequential extraction procedure in different depths of sediments from Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia. J. Hazard. Mater. 192, 402–410 (2011)
Christophidis, A., Stamitis, N., Orfanidis, S.: Sediment heavy metals of Mediterranean Costal lagoon: Agisma, Nestos Delta, Eastern Macademia (Greece) (2007)
Chouba, L., Mzoughi, N.: Assessment of heavy metals in sediments and in suspended particles affected by multiple anthropogenic contribution in harbors (2012)
Folk, R. L., Ward, W. C.: Brazos River bar, a study in the significance of grain size parameters. Jour. Sed. Petr. 27, 514 (1957)
Barusseau, J. P.: Evolution du plateau continental rochelais (golfe de Gascogne) au cours du Pléistocène terminal et de l’Holocène. Les processus actuels de la sédimentation. Thèse d’Etat, Bordeaux I (1973)
Long, E.R., MacDonald, D.D., Smith, S.L., Calder, F.D.: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments. Environ. Manag. 19(1), 81–97 (1995)
Buchman, M.F.: NOAA screening quick reference tables, NOAA OR&R Report 08–1. Off. Response Restor. Div. Nat. Oceanic Atmos. Adm. Seattle, p. 34 (2008)
Alexander, C.R., Smith, R.G., Calder, F.D., Schropp, S.J., Windom, H.L.: The historical record of metal enrichments in two Florida estuaries. Estuaries 16, 627–637 (1993)
Valdés, J., Vargas, G., Sifeddine, A., Ortlieb, L., Guinez, M.: Distribution and enrichment evaluation of heavy metals in Mejillones Bay (23°S), Northern Chile: geochemical and statistical approach. Mar Pollut. Bull. 50(12), 1558–1568 (2005)
Birch, G.: A scheme for assessing human impacts on coastal aquatic environments using sediments. In: Woodcoffe, C.D., Furness, R.A. (eds.) Coastal GIS 2003. Wollongong University Papers in Center for Maritime Policy, Australia (2003)
Barusseau, J.P.: Evolution du plateau continental rochelais (golfe de Gascogne) au cours du Pléistocène terminal et de l’Holocène. Les processus actuels de la sédimentation. Thèse d’Etat, Bordeaux I (1973)
Amrouni, O., Hermassi, T., Abdeljaouad, S., Messaoudi, S.: Contribution of grain size trend to sediment of microtidal beach. Case of the Gulf of Tunis bay (Cape Ferina- Cape Gammarth, Tunisia). Res. J. Environ. Sci. 8, 161–177 (2014)
Oueslati. A.: Les côtes de la Tunisie. Géomorphologie et environnement et aptitudes à l’aménagement. Université de Tunis, 387 p (1993)
Nolting, R.F., Ramkema, A., Everaats, J.M.: The geochemistry of Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni and Pb in sediment cores from the continental slope of the Banc d’Arguin (1999)
Guelorget, O., Perthuisot, J. P.: Le domaine paralique. Expressions geologiques, biologiques et economiques du confinement. Travaux de laboratoires de geologie, Presses de l’ Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, 136 p (1983)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Khsiba, S. et al. (2019). Grain Size Distribution and Enrichment Evaluation of Trace Metals in the Mediterranean Harbor Lagoon (Kalaât Andalous, Tunisa). In: Doronzo, D., Schingaro, E., Armstrong-Altrin, J., Zoheir, B. (eds) Petrogenesis and Exploration of the Earth’s Interior. CAJG 2018. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01575-6_24
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01575-6_24
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01574-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01575-6
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)