Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of Seawater and Sediments Along the Romanian Black Sea Coast: Spatial Distribution and Environmental Implications

Elena Ristea, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu (), Vasile Lavric and Andra Oros ()
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Elena Ristea: Chemical Oceanography and Marine Pollution Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania
Oana Cristina Pârvulescu: Chemical and Biochemical Department, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Vasile Lavric: Chemical and Biochemical Department, National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, 1-7 Gheorghe Polizu, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
Andra Oros: Chemical Oceanography and Marine Pollution Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-31

Abstract: This study assesses the spatial distribution and contamination levels of some heavy metals (HMs), i.e., cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb), in seawater and surface sediments along the Romanian Black Sea coast (RBSC). Sampling was conducted at 40 stations across 12 transects during May–June 2021, and the measured levels of HM concentrations were compared with Environmental Quality Standards (EQS), i.e., maximum allowable concentration ( MAC ) values, for seawater and effects range-low ( ERL ) thresholds for sediments. HM concentrations were measured using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS). In seawater, the levels of Cd, Cu, and Pb concentrations exceeded the MAC values at three stations located in areas influenced by the Danube River or anthropogenic activities. In sediments, exceedances of ERL thresholds were found for Ni at 11 stations, for Cu at three stations, and for Pb at one station. HM contamination of sediment samples collected from these stations can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic sources, e.g., the Danube River, rock/soil weathering and erosion, agricultural runoff, port and construction activities, maritime and road transport, coastal tourism, petrochemical industry, wastewater discharges, offshore oil and gas extraction. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided valuable information about the relationships between relevant variables, including water depth and HM concentrations in seawater and sediments, and potential sources of contamination. The results highlight the influence of fluvial inputs and localized human activities on HM contamination. While the overall chemical status of Romanian Black Sea waters and sediments remains favorable, targeted management strategies are needed to address localized pollution hotspots and mitigate potential ecological risks. These findings provide valuable insights for environmental monitoring and sustainable coastal management.

Keywords: heavy metals (HMs); seawater contamination; sediment contamination; Romanian Black Sea coast; Environmental Quality Standards (EQS); pollution sources; Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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