Ecologic risk assessment by potentially toxic elements in coastal sediments of a tropical hypereutrophic estuary

Abstract

The physicochemical and biological composition of sediments has been widely used as an environmental quality indicator of aquatic ecosystems, however, the application of different quality guidelines allows for a practical estimation of ecological risks associated with the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTE) such as metals, metalloids and others. In this work the ecological risk due to Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu presence in coastal sediments from Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela) were evaluated, using a multiguidelines approach (elemental enrichment indices and evaluation of potential ecological risk). To do this, 33 surface sediment samples in 11 sampling stations in the lake coastal area were collected to determine the total PTE levels by means of atomic absorption spectrometry coupled to a graphite furnace after acid digestion in high-pressure vessels. The mean concentrations were 3.811 ± 3.161, 0.032 ± 0.090, 8.574 ± 6.429, 26.480 ± 3.762 and 2.644 ± 1.792 mg/kg dry mass for Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu, respectively. The values of applied guidelines indicated moderate to considerable ecological risks due to the Cd presence in some localities, however, the sediment quality guidelines highlighted that the occurrence probability is very low or negligible (9%), so it can be considering an environment conducive to aquatic life. The EPTs with the highest potential for ecological risk were Cd and Zn, while Cu exhibited the lowest possibili-ties of adverse effects. It is necessary to assess the potential ecological risk associated with EPT levels in internal sediments of the bay, the strait and the central zone of lake.