Spatial distribution and consequences of contaminants in harbour sediments – A case study from Richards Bay Harbour, South Africa. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehlhorn, Paul; Viehberg, Finn; Kirsten, Kelly; Newman, Brent; Frenzel, Peter; Gildeeva, Olga; Green, Andrew; Hahn, Annette; Haberzettl, Torsten
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 172(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Metal contamination -- Chromium -- Magnetic susceptibility -- Microplastics -- Calcareous microfossils -- Sediment; 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.2021.112764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Richards Bay Harbour (RBH) is situated in the industrialized area on the northeast coast of South Africa. To decipher recent human activities and accompanying environmental degradation, surface sediment was collected across RBH and analysed for granulometric and elemental composition, microfaunal assemblages, and microplastics. Microplastics occur most abundantly near recreational areas, whereas metal contamination relates to activities at bulk goods terminals from which they are imported or exported. In particular, Cr and Cu concentrations in surface sediment near bulk goods terminals exceed South African sediment quality guidelines. In metal contaminated sediment, bioindicators reflected stress and were noticeably impacted. A transect of short sediment cores reflects spatial and historical metal contamination and allows quantification of the load of metals within the sediment column. The volume of metal (Cr) contaminated sediment was estimated at almost 2 million m 3 . Highlights: Distribution patterns reveal contaminant sources of anthropogenic activities. Concentrations peaks of Cr and Cu are near bulk goods terminals. Metal contaminated sediment links to higher proportions of malformed foram tests. Magnetic susceptibility infers Cr accumulation in sediment cores over time. Microplastics (PET/LDPE) are site-specific proxies for human activities.