Assessment of human-induced change and biological risk posed by contaminants in estuarine/harbour sediments: Sydney Harbour/estuary (Australia). Issue 1 (15th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Birch, G.F.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 116:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2017-03-15
• Subjects: Sediment quality guidelines -- Enrichment -- Metals -- Organochlorine pesticides -- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- Background concentrations; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: A rapid, simple yet scientifically sound scheme providing two important types of information used in assessment of estuarine sediments is presented. The mean enrichment quotient (MEQ) (fine contemporary sediment metal concentration/fine fraction background metal concentration) for Cu, Pb and Zn provides the magnitude of human-induced change, (deviation from the pristine condition), while sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) assess the risk posed by sedimentary contaminants to the benthic community. Maximum metal enrichment for sediment in Sydney estuary (Australia) is > 100 times for Cu, Pb and Zn and the MEQ is > 10 times for most of the estuary. Adverse effect on benthic populations due to Cu, Pb and Zn are expected in 2%, 50% and 36% of the waterway, respectively. SQGs for contaminant mixtures predict ~ 2% of the estuary has the highest risk of adverse effects, while 25% has intermediate risk. The scheme is well suited to initial assessments of estuarine sediments worldwide. Graphical abstract: Sedimentary metal enrichment illustrates the magnitude of human-induced change in Sydney estuary, Australia, expressed as the number of times present surficial metal concentrations exceed the pristine condition. (MEQ = Mean Enrichment Quotient). Highlights: Two tools investigate the environmental status of estuarine sediments. Metal enrichment (MEQ) provides the magnitude of human-induced change. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) identify chemicals and areas of most concern. These tools assess Sydney estuary, Australia as highly modified and at moderate risk. The scheme maybe a template for assessing and comparing estuaries/harbours worldwide.