Trace metal variability, background levels and pollution status assessment in line with the water framework and Marine Strategy Framework EU Directives in the waters of a heavily impacted Mediterranean Gulf

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2014-10, Vol.87 (1-2), p.323-337
• Main Authors: Paraskevopoulou, V., Zeri, C., Kaberi, H., Chalkiadaki, O., Krasakopoulou, E., Dassenakis, M., Scoullos, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Background threshold; Biological and medical sciences; Copper; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gulfs; Lead (metal); Marine; Marine and brackish environment; Mediterranean Sea; Metals - chemistry; Nickel; Pollution; Pollution abatement; Saronikos Gulf; Sea water ecosystems; Seawater; Synecology; Trace Elements - chemistry; Trace metals; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water pollution; Zinc
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.07.054

•Dissolved and particulate Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn in the Saronikos Gulf, Greece.•Trace metal variability correlated to pollution sources.•Background trace metal levels: an assessment based on a 10-year data set.•Trace metal pollution status of the Saronikos Gulf. The aim of this work is to assess trace metal pollution status (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the waters of Saronikos Gulf, Greece, in line with the WFD and MSFD European Directives, based on data collected over a decade (2000–2010). Dissolved metal background levels are estimated for the first time for Greek marine waters and the upper limits are: Cd: 0.574nmolL−1; Cu: 8.26nmolL−1; Ni: 7.94nmolL−1; Pb: 2.60nmolL−1; Zn: 115nmolL−1. The variability of dissolved and particulate metals reflected the presence of several point sources and revealed the importance of natural mechanisms acting as non-point sources. The status of Saronikos Gulf is classified as ‘High’ for most metals studied. An exception to this is the enclosed Elefsis Bay where Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations are found above background. Our work will assist the implementation of WFD and MSFD directives in Greece.