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- Title
Spatial Analysis of Metal Profiles in Sediments in a Tropical Estuary: A Geostatistical Approach.
- Authors
Vázquez-Sauceda, María de la Luz; Pérez-Castañeda, Roberto; Sánchez-Martínez, Jesús; Rábago-Castro, Jaime
- Abstract
The spatial structure and distribution of heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni)] in sediments were geostatistically analyzed along the estuarine ecosystem of Tigre River-San Andres Lagoon (Tamaulipas, Mexico). In most cases, heavy-metal concentrations exhibited a strong spatial autocorrelation along the estuary as indicated by variogram analysis. Heavy-metal concentrations were found to be higher in the middle estuary, close to the mouth of the Tigre River, and declined as distance from the mouth increased. Metal mean levels at the middle estuary were 2.41 mg/kg Cd, 4.80 mg/kg Cu, 172.36 mg/kg Fe, 5.22 mg/kg Pb, and 2.10 mg/kg Ni. The spatial distribution of heavy metals suggests the existence of a common heavy-metal source located in this area of the estuary. The importance of wastewater discharges and open dumping in the town of El Moron, adjacent to the mouth of the Tigre River, is highlighted; these are believed to be the anthropogenic sources for heavy metals in this estuarine ecosystem.
- Subjects
TAMAULIPAS (Mexico : State); SPATIAL analysis (Statistics); ESTUARINE ecology; HEAVY metals &; the environment; ANTHROPOGENIC effects on nature
- Publication
Archives of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology, 2015, Vol 69, Issue 4, p482
- ISSN
0090-4341
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00244-015-0197-9