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Mapping the distribution of metal contamination in United Kingdom estuaries |
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Full reference: Data on metal concentrations in sediments and indicator organisms in UK estuaries produced over the past 20 years by the Marine Biological Association and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory were computerised. The metals determined included Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Zn and the principal indicator species analysed included seaweed Fucus vesiculosus (reflecting dissolved concentrations), winkles Littorina littorea, ragworms Nereis diversicolor and deposit feeding bivalves Scrobicularia plana and Macoma balthica. A personal computer was programmed to produce :- a) maps showing the distribution of metallic contaminants in estuaries around the UK; b) histograms displaying the relative levels of contamination in different estuaries; c) charts for some estuaries illustrating temporal changes in concentrations. Considerable inter-estuary variation was observed among UK estuaries and sediment concentrations of some metals (e.g. Cu, Pb) in the most contaminated estuaries were several hundred times normal (e.g. Table I). Evidence from sediments and indicator species has revealed metal contamination in many parts of the UK. Appreciable contamination occurs in Scotland (Cr in the Clyde estuary), in northwest England (Cd, Ag in Cumbria and Hg in the Mersey estuary), in Wales (Cu, Zn in Dulas Bay and Cr, Sn in the Loughor estuary), in southwest England (Cu, Zn, As in the Fal Estuary system, Pb in the Gannel estuary and Ag, Cd in the Bristol Channel/Severn), in southern England (Cd, Se in Poole Harbour) and on the east coast (Ag in the Thames estuary and Cr in the Tees estuary). Owing to the volume of data generated, the report focuses mainly on 6 elements (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) which best characterise regional variations in patterns of metallic contaminants. ISBN: 0951961802
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