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Transport and dispersion of particulate Hg associated with a river plume in coastal Northern Adriatic environments
Covelli, S.; Piani, R.; Acquavita, A.; Predonzani, S.; Faganeli, J. (2007). Transport and dispersion of particulate Hg associated with a river plume in coastal Northern Adriatic environments. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 55(10-12): 436-450. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.09.006
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
Also appears in:
Zonta, R.; Guerzoni, S.; De Jonge, V.N.; Pérez-Ruzafa, A. (Ed.) (2007). Measuring and managing changes in estuaries and lagoons. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 55(Spec. Issue 10-12). Elsevier: Amsterdam. 403-602 pp., more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Chemical elements > Metals > Heavy metals > Mercury
    Particulates > Suspended particulate matter
    Plumes (aquatic)
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Tidal inlets
    MED, Adriatic, North [Marine Regions]; MED, Trieste Gulf [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Covelli, S.
  • Piani, R.
  • Acquavita, A.
  • Predonzani, S.
  • Faganeli, J.

Abstract
    The role of suspended particulate matter (SPM) as an important carrier of mercury (Hg) dispersed into the Gulf of Trieste and in the adjacent Grado lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea) was studied during a high Isonzo River inflow and the resulting river plume formation. Despite the fact that extreme flood events are rare during the year, they account for most of the PHg influx (37-112 ng L-1) into the Gulf of Trieste. When the river plume is diverted to the SW under the influence of an E-NE wind, the tidal flux acts as a "transport belt" carrying the PHg, mostly inorganic, into the Grado lagoon. A preliminary estimation indicates that the amount of PHg entrapped in the lagoon basin following a tidal semi-cycle accounts for 1.4 kg/12 h, which corresponds to about 49% of the total Hg carried by the tidal flow. These findings should be considered in future remediation strategies in the lagoon environment.

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