SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemistry of surface sediments and heavy metal contamination assessment: Messolonghi lagoon complex, Greece

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Messolonghi lagoon complex in Western Greece receives agricultural and domestic effluents both from point and diffused sources. Surface sediments were analyzed for grain size, organic carbon, total nitrogen, total sulfur, major and minor elements, aiming at the identification of geochemical relationships between all variables. Enrichment factors and the modified degree of contamination methods were applied to assess potential heavy metal enrichment related to human activities. Sediment texture was highly variable, with muddy sediments prevailing. In the central sector of the Messolonghi lagoon, organic carbon contents were high. Principal factor analysis revealed the following main groups of variables with common geochemical behavior: (1) terrigenous aluminosilicates (2) organic matter, (3) biogenic carbonates, (4) mineral quartz-aluminosilicates, and (5) Mn-oxides. Enrichment factors estimated for V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb using local pre-industrial sediment showed that all metals exhibit almost natural background levels, except for Pb, which was found to be slightly elevated (legacy of leaded fuel). Estimation of contamination factors concluded in similar results, whereas the overall modified degree of contamination was at the lowest level, therefore suggesting that this transitional water body has not been affected by anthropogenic activities. The data set may be considered as a baseline for future monitoring projects according to EU policy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrahim GMS (2005) Holocene sediments of Tamaki Estuary: characterisation and impact of recent human activity on an urban estuary in Auckland, New Zealand. PhD thesis, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, p 361

  • Abrahim GMS, Parker RJ (2008) Assessment of heavy metal enrichment factors and the degree of contamination in marine sediments from Tamaki Estuary, Auckland, New Zealand. Environmental Monitoring Assessment. doi:10.1007/s10661-007-9678-2

  • Acquavita A, Predonzani S, Mattassi G, Rossin P, Tamberlich F, Falomo J, Valic I. (2010) Heavy metal contents and distribution in coastal sediments of the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). Water Air Soil Pollut. doi:10.1007/s11270-009-0284-5

  • Anagnostou Ch, Karageorgis A, Hatiris G, Drakopoulou P (2009) The deltaic-lagoonal systems of Acheloos and Evinos Rivers (Western Greece): evolution and changes related to anthropogenic activities and sea-level rise. Abstracts, Fourth European Conference on Coastal Lagoon Research, December 14–18, 2009, Montpellier, France, p 70

  • Anonymous (2001) Study of management of fishery exploitation of Greek lagoons. Project PESCA. Ministry of Agriculture of Greece, Direction of Aquaculture (in Greek)

  • Atkinson MJ, Smith SV (1983) C:N:P ratios of benthic marine plants. Limnol Oceanogr 28:568–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basset A, Sabetta L, Fonnesu A, Mouillot D, Do Chi T, Viaroli P, Giordani G, Reizopoulou S, Abbiati M, Carrada GC (2006) Typology in Mediterranean transitional waters: new challenges and perspectives. Aquat Conserv Mar Freshw Ecosyst 16:441–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basu A, Molinaroli E (1994) Toxic metals in Venice lagoon sediments: model, observations, and possible removal. Environ Geol 24:203–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellucci LG, Frignani M, Paolucci D, Ravanelli M (2002) Distribution of heavy metals in sediments of the Venice Lagoon: the role of the industrial area. Sci Total Environ 295:35–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellucci LG, Giuliani S, Mugnai C, Frignani M, Paolucci D, Albertazzi S, Ruiz Fernandez AC (2010) Anthropogenic metal delivery in sediments of Porto Marghera and Venice Lagoon (Italy). Soil Sediment Contam Int J. doi:10.1080/15320380903390562

  • Beltrame MO, De Marco SG, Marcovecchio JE (2009) Dissolved and particulate heavy metals distribution in coastal lagoons. A case study from Mar Chiquita Lagoon, Argentina. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 85:45–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernardello M, Secco T, Pellizzato F, Chinellato F, Sfriso A, Pavoni B (2006) The changing state of contamination in the Lagoon of Venice. Part 2: Heavy metals. Chemosphere 64(8):1334–1345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brügmann L (1995) Metals in sediments and suspended matter of the river Elbe. Sci Total Environ 159:53–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calvert SE, Pedersen TF (1993) Geochemistry of recent oxic and anoxic marine sediments: implications for the geological record. Mar Geol 113:67–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowie GL, Hedges JI (1992) Sources and reactivities of amino acids in a coastal marine environment. Limnol Oceanogr 37:703–729

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cutter GA, Radford-Knoery J (1991) Determination of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and inorganic sulfur species in marine particles. In: Hurd DC, Spencer DW (eds) Marine particles: analysis and characterization American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph Series 63, pp 57–63

  • Daesslé LW, Camacho-Ibar VF, Carriquiry JD, Ortiz-Hernández MC (2004) The geochemistry and sources of metals and phosphorus in the recent sediments from the Northern Gulf of California. Cont Shelf Res 24:2093–2106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dassenakis M, Krasakopoulou E, Matzara B (1994) Chemical characteristics of Aetoliko Lagoon, Greece, after an ecological shock. Mar Pollut Bull 28:427–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitriou E (2007) Contribution to the study of growth and behaviour of the sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) in the Messolonghi–Etoliko lagoons. PhD thesis, University of Patras, 207 p (in Greek with English abstract)

  • Dimitriou E, Rogdakis Y, Leonardos J, Athanasopoulos A (1994) The quantitative and qualitative composition of fishes catch of Messolonghi–Aetoliko lagoon as index to fishing management. Fish News Int 155:82–91 (in Greek)

    Google Scholar 

  • Donazzolo R, Orio AA, Pavoni B, Perin G (1984) Heavy metals in sediments of the Venice lagoon. Oceanol Acta 7:25–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte CM (1990) Seagrass nutrient content. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 67:201–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang TH, Li JY, Feng HM, Chen HY (2009) Distribution and contamination of trace metals in surface sediments of the East China Sea. Mar Environ Res 68:178–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folk RL (1974) Petrology of sedimentary rocks. Hemphil, Austin

    Google Scholar 

  • Förstner U, Wittmann GTW (1979) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • González I, Águila E, Galán E (2007) Partitioning, bioavailability and origin of heavy metals from the Nador lagoon sediments (Morocco) as a basis for their management. Environ Geol 52:1581–1593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Håkanson L (1980) Ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control, a sedimentological approach. Water Res 14:975–1001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz AJ (1991) A primer on sediment—trace element chemistry. Lewis Publishers Ltd., Chelsea

    Google Scholar 

  • Hotos GN, Avramidou DN (1997) A one year water monitoring study of Klisova lagoon (Mesolonghi, W. Greece). GeoJournal 41:15–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang W, Campredon R, Abrao JJ, Bernat M, Latouche C (1994) Variation of heavy metals in recent sediments from Piratininga lagoon (Brazil): interpretation of geochemical data with the aid of multivariate analysis. Environ Geol 23:241–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Karageorgis AP (2007) Geochemical study of sediments from the Amvrakikos Gulf lagoon complex, Greece. Trans Waters Bull. doi:10.1285/i1825229Xv1n3p3

  • Karageorgis AP, Anagnostou CL, Kaberi H (2005) Geochemistry and mineralogy of the NW Aegean Sea surface sediments: implications for river runoff and anthropogenic impact. Appl Geochem. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2004.07.008

  • Karageorgis AP, Katsanevakis S, Kaberi H (2009) Use of enrichment factors for the assessment of heavy metal contamination in the sediments of Koumoundourou Lake, Greece. Water Air Soil Pollut. doi:10.1007/s11270-009-0041-9

  • Katselis G, Koukou K, Dimitriou E, Koutsikopoulos C (2007) Short-term seaward fish migration in the Messolonghi–Etoliko lagoons (Western Greek coast) in relation to climatic variables and the lunar cycle. Estuar Coastal Shelf Sci. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2007.02.010

  • Louda JW, Li J, Liu L, Winfree MN, Baker EW (1998) Chlorophyll-a degradation during cellular senescence and death. Org Geochem 29:1233–1251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahler BJ, Van Metre PC, Callender E (2006) Trends in metals in urban and reference lake sediments across the United States, 1970 to 2001. Environ Toxicol Chem. doi:10.1897/05-459R.1

  • Mariolakos I, Mariolakos D, Fountoulis I, Tziovara A, Champilomati A, Anagnostou Ch, Sakellariou D (2004) Shallow sampling drillings in the Acheloos delta area: preliminary results and radiocarbon dating. Abstracts, 10th International Congress of the Geological Society of Greece, 15–17 April, Thessaloniki, Greece, 496–497

  • Nicolaidou A, Bourgoutzani F, Zenetos A, Guelorget O, Perthuisot JP (1988) Distribution of molluscs and polychaetes in coastal lagoons in Greece. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 26:337–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolaidou A, Reizopoulou S, Koutsoubas D, Orfanidis S, Kevrekidis T (2005) Biological components of Greek lagoonal ecosystems: an overview. Mediterranean Mar Sci 6:31–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwenhuize J, Maas YEM, Middelburg JJ (1994) Rapid analysis of organic carbon and nitrogen in particulate materials. Mar Chem 45:217–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaidis NP, Dobbs GM, Chen J, Lackovic JA (2004) Arsenic mobility in contaminated lake sediments. Environ Pollut 129:479–487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu JO, Pacyna JM (1988) Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water, and soils by trace metals. Nature 33:134–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papatheodorou G, Hotos G, Geraga M, Avramidou D, Vorinakis T (2002) Heavy metal concentrations in sediments of Klisova lagoon (southeast Mesolonghi–Aetolikon lagoon complex), W. Greece. Fresenius Environ Bull 11:951–956

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavoni B, Donazzolo R, Marcomini A, Degobbis D, Orio AA (1987) Historical development of the Venice lagoon contamination as recorded in radiodated sediment cores. Mar Pollut Bull 18:18–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirc H, Wollenweber B (1988) Seasonal changes in nitrogen, free amino acids, and C/N ratio in Mediterranean seagrasses. PSZNI Mar Ecol 9:167–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redfield AC, Ketchum BH, Richards FA (1963) The influence of organisms on the composition of sea water. In: Hill MN (ed) The sea, ideas and observations on progress in the study of the seas. Interscience, New York, pp 26–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruttenberg KC, Goni MA (1997) Phosphorus distribution, C:N:P ratios, and δ13Coc in arctic, temperate, and tropical coastal sediments: tools for characterizing bulk sedimentary organic matter. Mar Geol 139:123–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salomons W, Förstner U (1984) Metals in the hydrocycle. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sanei H, Goodarzi F, Van Der Flier-Keller E (2001) Historical variation of elements with respect to different geochemical fractions in recent sediments from Pigeon Lake, Alberta, Canada. J Environ Monitor. doi:10.1039/b006819p

  • Scherer U, Fuchs S, Behrendt H, Hillenbrand T (2003) Emissions of heavy metals into river basins of Germany. Water Sci Technol 47:251–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel FR, Slaboda ML, Stanley DJ (1994) Metal pollution loading, Manzalah lagoon, Nile Delta, Egypt: implications for aquaculture. Environ Geol 23:89–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsimplis MN (1994) Tidal oscillations in the Aegean and Ionian seas. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 39:201–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsimplis MN, Blackman D (1997) Extreme sea-level distribution and return periods in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 44:79–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tziovara A, Champilomati A (2002) Sedimentology of deltaic deposits of Acheloos and its contribution to the understanding of the recent evolution of the deltaic system. BSc thesis, University of Athens, 90 p + Annexes (unpublished) (in Greek)

  • Verardo DJ, Froelich PN, McIntyre A (1990) Determinations of organic carbon and nitrogen in marine sediments using the Carlo Erba NA-1500 Analyzer. Deep Sea Res 37:157–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voutsinou-Taliadouri F, Satsmadjis J, Iatridis B (1987) Granulometric and metal composition in sediments from a group of Ionian lagoons. Mar Pollut Bull 18:49–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The help of M. Taxiarchi and A. Papageorgiou in laboratory analysis is appreciated. Constructive suggestions of an anonymous reviewer are gratefully acknowledged. Also, we wish to thank J. Nystuen for improving language flow.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 km Athens-Sounio Avenue, 19013, Anavyssos, Greece

    Aristomenis P. Karageorgis, Evangelia Krasakopoulou, Christos L. Anagnostou, Harikleia Kyriakidou & Konstantinos Vasilopoulos

  2. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Ko Str., 85100, Rhodes, Greece

    Andreas Sioulas & George A. Hatiris

Authors
  1. Aristomenis P. Karageorgis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andreas Sioulas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Evangelia Krasakopoulou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christos L. Anagnostou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. George A. Hatiris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Harikleia Kyriakidou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Konstantinos Vasilopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aristomenis P. Karageorgis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karageorgis, A.P., Sioulas, A., Krasakopoulou, E. et al. Geochemistry of surface sediments and heavy metal contamination assessment: Messolonghi lagoon complex, Greece. Environ Earth Sci 65, 1619–1629 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1136-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1136-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation