engleski

Evaluation of trace-metal contamination in the Northeastern Adriatic coastal waters using the seagrass Posidonia oceanica

Seagrasses appear relevant bioindicators of metallic contamination in coastal waters. Posidonia oceanica leaves were collected at six locations along the north and east coast of the Adriatic Sea selected on the basis of the presence of different types and levels of human-induced pressures. Concentration of seven trace-metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb), as well as the Methyl-Mercury content, were determined. The level of contamination is low at the pristine site of Lavdara (Cu: 4.73 ± ; 0.01 μ g/g ; Hg: 0.054 ± ; 0.003 μ g/g ; Met-Hg: 0.015 ± ; 0.000 μ g/g ; Ni: 21.40 ± ; 0.63 μ g/g ; Pb: 0.90 ± ; 0.10 μ g/g) and higher along the Slovenian coast (Cu: 11.83 ± ; 0.22 μ g/g, Hg : 0.092 ± ; 0.004 μ g/g ; Met-Hg: 0.027 ± ; 0.004 μ g/g ; Ni: 40.07 ± ; 2.08 μ g/g, Pb: 1.50 ± ; 0.06 μ g/g). Generally, Mercury and the associated trace metals contents are relatively high in P. oceanica collected in the Northern Adriatic region. This is due not only to the strong anthropogenic impact (ports of Trieste and Koper, former chloralkaline plant – PVC near Seget Donji) but also to the geological characteristics of the hinterland (former cinnabar ore in Slovenia). This preliminary study confirms the capability of P. oceanica to record trace metal in relation with humaninduced pressures, as well as with geological background of the coast.

Seagrass; pressures; Posidonia oceanica; metallic contamination; Adriatic Sea

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