Original scientific paper
Ecotoxicological Characterization of Marine Sediment in Kostrena Coastal Area
Zeljko Linsak
; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia
Dijana Tomic Linsak
; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia
Marin Glad
; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia
Arijana Cenov
; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia
Mirna Coklo
; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia
Miran Coklo
; University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Rijeka, Croatia
Dubravko Manestar
; University of Rijeka, Rijeka University Hospital Center, Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rijeka, Croatia
Vladimir Micovic
; University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Samples of marine sediment were taken on 4 selected sites close to the shipyard industry in Kostrena coastal area. Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg, Fe) were analyzed from chemical-analytical and toxicological aspect. For toxicity detection, the bacterial bioluminescence test (Vibrio fisheri) was used. Concentration of total PAHs varied in the range from 697 to 7807 mg/kg dry weight in marine sediments. The concentration of PCBs in sediment was 1.1 mg/kg dry weight. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found at the station within the shipyard. PAH toxicity was not correlated with the toxic potential of sediments. The obtained results indicate a high degree of environmental risk, especially at stations within the shipyard, with the 54% possibility of toxic effects. Chemical determination of the concentration of conventional pollutants is not sufficient for assessing the quality of themarine environment and it is necessary to use other approaches in order to evaluate the biological impact.
Keywords
marine sediment; PAHs; PCBs; heavy metals; toxicity test; Vibrio fisheri
Hrčak ID:
94977
URI
Publication date:
27.12.2012.
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