METALS IN THE PARTICULATE MATTER FROM SURF ZONE WATERS OF A SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC SANDY BEACH (MONTE HERMOSO, ARGENTINA)

MARIA CLARA MENÉNDEZ; PICCOLO M. CINTIA; MELISA D. FERNÁNDEZ SEVERINI; ANA LAURA DELGADO; BUZZI, N. S.; MARCOVECCHIO, JORGE E.

Regional Studies in Marine Science

ELSEVIER

Año: 2019 vol. 29 p. 1 - 13

2352-4855

Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb were analyzed for the first time in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) in surf zone waters of asandy beach located in the Southwestern Atlantic. The study area corresponds to a recreational sandy seashorebeach (Monte Hermoso) where particulate metal levels showed large and irregular fluctuations throughout the studyperiod. The study area is strongly influenced by a human-impacted estuary located nearby and it is believed that thelevels of metals found in the particulate fraction are linked to this human impacted estuary. In particular Cd was foundin high concentrations (2.63 µg g-1dry weight) and therefore it was possible to characterize the SPM with some degreeof Cd pollution through EF and Igeo index. In addition, sediments were the main component of the SPM during most ofthe period of study. Finally, the present study provides new insights into the behavior of metals in the SPM in the surfzone, characterized as one of the most productive transitional areas between the continent and the sea, and poorlyknown from a pollution perspective.