Sediment pollution: An assessment of anthropogenic and geogenic trace element contributions along the central Algerian coast

Mohamed Aroua; Mostefa Boulahdid; Olivier Radakovitch; Moustafa Benhalima; Yassine Guendouzi; Scott W Fowler; Jean-Paul Ambrosi

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114398

Sediment pollution: An assessment of anthropogenic and geogenic trace element contributions along the central Algerian coast

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Jan:186:114398. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114398. Epub 2022 Dec 13.

Authors

Mohamed Aroua¹, Mostefa Boulahdid², Olivier Radakovitch³, Moustafa Benhalima⁴, Yassine Guendouzi⁵, Scott W Fowler⁶, Jean-Paul Ambrosi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (ECOSYSMarL), National Higher School of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management (ENSSMAL), BP19, University Campus of Dely Ibrahim, Bois des Cars, 16320, Cheraga, Algiers, Algeria. Electronic address: aroua@outlook.be.
² Laboratory of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (ECOSYSMarL), National Higher School of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management (ENSSMAL), BP19, University Campus of Dely Ibrahim, Bois des Cars, 16320, Cheraga, Algiers, Algeria.
³ Institut de Radioprotection et de Surêté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE/SRTE/LRTA, BP3, 13115 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France.
⁴ Laboratory of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (ECOSYSMarL), National Higher School of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management (ENSSMAL), BP19, University Campus of Dely Ibrahim, Bois des Cars, 16320, Cheraga, Algiers, Algeria; Laboratory Management and Valorization of Agricultural and Aquatic Ecosystems, Science Institute, University Center of Tipaza Morsli Abdallah, Oued Merzoug 42200, Tipaza, Algeria.
⁵ Laboratory Management and Valorization of Agricultural and Aquatic Ecosystems, Science Institute, University Center of Tipaza Morsli Abdallah, Oued Merzoug 42200, Tipaza, Algeria.
⁶ School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, USA.
⁷ Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence, France.

PMID: 36521359
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114398

Abstract

Sediment cores from the central Algerian coast were collected to investigate the distribution, sources and risk of trace metals. The local geochemical background of metals was defined from the core S collected in an uncontaminated area of the coast. The anthropogenic inputs in Algiers Bay elevated Ag, Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations as their maximum were 3.1, 3, 2.1 and 1.8 times the background values, respectively. Meanwhile, increased contents of Arsenic (up to 21.1 mg/kg) were detected in all sites. Correlations and PCA suggest that lithogenic sources controlled metal deposition, while most sediment arsenic was agriculture-derived. Organic matter acted as a sink or source for some trace metals. According to EFs, the study area showed slight to moderate enrichment with respect to Ag, As, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu, whereas they remained uncontaminated with Cr, V, Co and Ni. This study provides a needed baseline for future environmental investigations.

Keywords: Environmental risk assessment; Geochemical background; Metallic pollution; Sediment cores; Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs); Sources identification.

MeSH terms

Arsenic*
Cadmium
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Geologic Sediments / chemistry
Lead
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Risk Assessment
Trace Elements* / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Arsenic
Trace Elements
Cadmium
Lead
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Metals, Heavy