Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/224566

Title

Heavy metal distribution in estuarine sediments: a comparison of a seagrass bed and adjacent bare sediment

Author(s)

Dowsett, N. S.;  Rayburg, S.

Abstract

Seagrasses are highly productive and dynamic ecosystems, which supply a range of ecosystem services. Despite this, seagrass communities are globally in decline, largely due to anthropogenic influences. Urban and agricultural development, coupled with poor land management practices, can result in increased pollutants entering estuaries. Sediments below seagrass beds have been relatively well established as nutrient sinks. However, few studies have looked specifically at the concentration of heavy metals in seagrass bed sediment compared with adjacent bare sediment. This paper presents some preliminary findings for looking into the relationship of heavy metals in seagrass bed sediment compared with adjacent bare sediment within a temperate estuary of eastern Australia. Of the metals and elements tested, aluminium, barium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and strontium were found in significantly higher concentrations within seagrass bed sediments compared to adjacent bare sediment.

Publication type

Conference paper

Source

Proceedings of 'Balance and Uncertainty: Water in a Changing World', 34th World Congress of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR 2011), held in conjunction with the 33rd Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and the 10th Hydraulics Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 26 June - 01 July 2011, pp. 1047-1053

Publication year

2011

Keyword(s)

Estuary;  Geochemistry;  Land management;  Nutrients;  Seagrass

Publisher

IAHR and Engineers Australia

ISBN

9780858258686

Copyright

Copyright © 2011.

Peer reviewed