Labile concentration of trace metals and organic substances in western Mediterranean ports

Abstract

Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGTs) and Silicon Rubber (SR) passive samplers were used for the determination of metal (Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb) and organic compound (Sigma 16 PAHs, Sigma 32 PCBs, Sigma 6 fragrances, Irgarol) concentrations in four ports in the western Mediterranean (La Spezia, Olbia and Cagliari in Italy and Toulon in France). Several stations were selected in each port to cover the most relevant pressures, and sampling campaigns were carried out in different seasons, to characterize the distribution of contaminants under different conditions. DGT results were in the ranges 1.8-18.3 ng L-1 for Cd, 116-3387 ng L-1 for Cu, 177-4868 ng L-1 for Ni and 24.3-704 ng L-1 for Pb. SR results were in the ranges 4.6-120.2 ng L-1 for Sigma 16 PAHs, 0.04-2.5 ng L-1 for Sigma 32 PCBs, 3.1-375.0 ng L-1 for Sigma 6 fragrances and 0.9-59.8 ng L-1 for Irgarol. The use of passive samplers enabled the identification of site-specific contamination sources and the discrimination of the ports most susceptible to environmental risk. This valuable information can be used to improve risk assessment procedures in ports and to establish effective management strategies.