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Total and labile metals in surface sediments of the tropical river-estuary system of Marabasco (Pacific coast of Mexico): influence of an iron mine
Marmolejo-Rodríguez, A.J.; Prego, R.; Meyer-Willerer, A.; Shumilin, E.; Cobelo-García, A. (2007). Total and labile metals in surface sediments of the tropical river-estuary system of Marabasco (Pacific coast of Mexico): influence of an iron mine. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 55(10-12): 459-468. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.09.008
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  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Chemical elements > Metals
    Resources > Natural resources > Mineral resources > Ores
    Sediments
    Mexico [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    metals; sediments; labile fraction; background levels; iron ore mine;Marabasco; Mexico

Authors  Top 
  • Marmolejo-Rodríguez, A.J.
  • Prego, R.
  • Meyer-Willerer, A.
  • Shumilin, E.
  • Cobelo-García, A.

Abstract
    Marabasco is a tropical river-estuary system comprising the Marabasco river and the Barra de Navidad Lagoon. The river is impacted by the Pen?a Colorada iron mine, which produces 3.5 million tons of pellets per year. Thirteen surface sediment samples were collected in May 2005 (dry season) in order to establish background levels of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the system and to ascertain the potential mobility of metals in the sediments. Analyses were carried out in the fraction finer than 63 ?m, and labile metals extracted according the BCR procedure. Certified reference materials were used for validation of methods. Total concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were in the range of 0.05-0.34, 6-95, 0.7-31, 9-26, 2-18, and 53-179 mg kg-1, respectively; Al and Fe ranges of 24-127, and 26-69 mg g-1 correspondingly. Cadmium was found to be significantly labile in the sediments (20-100%), followed by Co (0-35%), Ni (3-16%) and Zn (0-25%), whereas the labile fraction for Cu, Fe and Pb was almost negligible (<4%). According with the total metal concentrations, background levels and normalised enrichment factors (NEF) of the metals studied, the impact of the Pen?a Colorada iron mine on the Marabasco system is lower than expected when compared with other similar World systems influenced by mining activities.

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