Trace metal pollution in surface marine waters: Nearshore concentrations along Apulia and Albania

Abstract

The concentrations of some heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni and Cd) were measured in surface coastal waters of the southern Adriatic Sea, in the framework of the Interregional Program II (INTERREG Italy–Albania). Seven stations were positioned along the Albanian shoreline, at a distance of 500 m from the coast, while the remaining stations were located on inshore–offshore transects along the Adriatic side of Apulia. Concentrations exhibited relatively low values, lower (or similar) than those observed in other Italian coastal areas and generally much lower than at other sites of the coastal Mediterranean. Lead (and to a lesser extent cadmium) showed the most even distribution throughout the study area, most likely resulting from atmospheric inputs. Harbours and river outlets were identified as critical points for the input of the remaining trace elements along both Apulia and Albania. In the large majority of stations, bioassays with the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus highlighted moderate toxic effects of sea water on these organisms. Heavy metal concentration levels measured in the study area are not directly related to embryotoxicity, probably because they are not high enough to determine toxic effects upon biota, and/or because elements other than metals are of major importance in the coastal area of the southern Adriatic Sea.

Keywords:

• Sea water
• Heavy metals
• Southern Adriatic sea

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the EN EA Research Center (Environmental Department, Portici) for the availability of labs and we acknowledge S. Manzo and L. Torricelli for helping with embriotoxicity tests.