Evaluation of heavy metal pollution risk in surface sediment of the South Lagoon of Tunis by a sequential extraction procedure

Myriam  Abidi; Asma  Yahyaoui; Rim  Ben Amor; Lassaad  Chouba; Moncef  Gueddari

doi:10.3989/scimar.05172.028

Authors

Myriam Abidi Laboratory of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis (FST), University of Tunis El Manar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6121-4692
Asma Yahyaoui Laboratory of Marine Environment, National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6688-5417
Rim Ben Amor Laboratory of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis (FST), University of Tunis El Manar https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3573-4082
Lassaad Chouba Laboratory of Marine Environment, National Institute of Marine Science and Technology (INSTM) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8612-9731
Moncef Gueddari Laboratory of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis (FST), University of Tunis El Manar https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1566-1242

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.05172.028

Keywords:

heavy metal speciation, environmental risks, sediment pollution index, Mediterranean lagoon

Abstract

In this study, the total concentrations and chemical forms of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Ni) in surface sediments of the South Lagoon of Tunis located in northeast Tunisia were investigated. Multiple geochemical indices were applied to assess the potential environmental risks. The South Lagoon is a valuable regional resource for fisheries, tourism and aquaculture. Total metal concentrations exhibited significant spatial variation attributed to the principal water circulation direction (east to west). The chemical speciation of Fe, Cr and Ni shows that they were mostly related to the residual fraction (Fe 34.8%, Cr 37.4% and Ni 37.9%), while Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd were mostly related to the non-residual fraction (labile fraction Pb 89.4%, Zn 26.1%, Cu 71.8% and Cd 84.3%). Pb, Zn, Cu and Cr are of high potential bioavailability. The highest pollution was found on the west side of the lagoon according to the calculated global contamination factors. Besides, individual contamination factors, Pb followed by Zn and Cu, posed the highest risk of contamination. This study shows that, even after dredging, the persistence of low concentrations of some contaminants may cause environmental problems in certain physico-chemical conditions.

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References

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