Distribution and Potential Availability of As, Metals and P in Sediments from a Riverine Reservoir in a Rural Mountainous Catchment (NE Portugal)

Anabela R. Reis, Marta Roboredo, João P. R. M. Pinto, Bernardete Vieira, Simone G. P. Varandas, Luis F. S. Fernandes and Fernando A. L. Pacheco
Additional contact information
Anabela R. Reis: Department of Geology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Marta Roboredo: Chemistry Center Vila Real, Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
João P. R. M. Pinto: Amber Energy, Cardiff CF10 1FS, UK
Bernardete Vieira: School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Simone G. P. Varandas: Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, Department of Forestry and CITAB/UTAD, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Luis F. S. Fernandes: Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, Department of Engineering and CITAB/UTAD, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Fernando A. L. Pacheco: Chemistry Center Vila Real, Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: A geochemical investigation was carried out on the bottom sediments of a riverine reservoir, located in a mountainous rural region (NE Portugal), with the aim of evaluating the contents of As, metals and P and their potential availability. The elements contents were detected in the following ranges (µg g ?1 ): As (18–64); Cr (32–128); Cu (39–93); Ni (18–80); Pb (49–160); Zn (207–334); P (1705–2681). The reducible fraction is the most significant in the retention of the elements. Based on their potential relative mobility, the detected metals could be classed as follows: Zn > As, Pb > Cu > Cr, Ni. The results on geochemical partitioning were revealed to be important when the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) were considered. Arsenic, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn showed total contents exceeding the values of Probable Effect Level (PEL), but only As occurred in the most potentially available form; Cr and Ni can be considered relatively unavailable, since these are mainly associated with the residual phase. Locally, oxygen depletion could release P into the water column due to the higher concentrations in Fe-P and CDB-P fractions. The potential availability of As, metals and P in sediments indicates that the quality of sediments accumulated in small reservoirs should be considered in management policies.

Keywords: sediments; riverine reservoir; metals; phosphorus; chemical fractionation; potential availability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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