Anthropogenic influence on trace element geochemistry of healing mud (peloid) from Makirina Cove (Croatia)

Due to their balneotherapeutic features, the organic-rich sediments in Makirina Cove are an important source of healing mud. An environmental geochemistry approach using normalization techniques was applied to evaluate the anthropogenic contribution of trace metals to sediments used as healing mud....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental geology (Berlin) 2008-08, Vol.55 (3), p.517-537
Main Authors: Miko, S, Koch, G, Mesić, S, Šparica-Miko, M, Šparica, M, Čepelak, R, Bačani, A, Vreča, P, Dolenec, T, Bergant, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Balneotherapy
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Enrichment factors
Exact sciences and technology
Geochemistry
Geology
Healing mud
metals
Normalization
Original Article
pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Soil and rock geochemistry
trace elements
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Summary:Due to their balneotherapeutic features, the organic-rich sediments in Makirina Cove are an important source of healing mud. An environmental geochemistry approach using normalization techniques was applied to evaluate the anthropogenic contribution of trace metals to sediments used as healing mud. Sediment geochemistry was found to be associated with land-use change and storm events, as well as with proximity of a road with heavy traffic in the summer months. Local valley topography preferentially channels lithogenic and pollutant transport to the cove. Concentrations and distribution of trace metals indicate lithogenic (Ni, Cr, Co) and anthropogenic (Pb, Cu, Zn and Se) contributions to the sediments. The calculation of enrichment factors indicates a moderate (EFs between 2-3.5) input of anthropogenic Cu and Pb in surficial sediments to a depth of 10 cm. Patients using the Makirina Cove sediments as healing mud could be to some extent exposed to enhanced uptake of metals from anthropogenic sources via dermal contact.
ISSN:0943-0105
1432-0495
DOI:10.1007/s00254-007-0997-y