Pollutant exchange at the water/sediment interface in the venice canals

• DOI: 10.1007/bf02406865
• Publication Date: 2006-05-12T05:54:55Z
• Authors: E. Argese; E. Ramieri; C. Bettiol; B. Pavoni; E. Chiozzotto; A. Sfriso
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Anthropogenic metal; Bioavailability; Geochemical phases; Heavy metals; Pollution; Release processes; Residual metal; Resuspension; Sediments; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

The space-time distribution of some pollutants (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, V, Ni, Cr) in the sludge of the canals of Venice was studied. The contamination levels were comparable to, or higher, than those measured in the most polluted sediments of the Lagoon of Venice. Sediments were collected by two different sampling techniques: 1) collection of sediment cores (upper 5 cm) by a syringe-type corer; 2) collection by traps, placed on the bottom of the canal. Traps permitted the sampling of sediments essentially resuspended by overlying water turbulence. This sediment fraction is subjected to variations of its physicochemical parameters (principally change of redox conditions) and therefore to pollutant exchange at the water/sediment interface.