Abstract

PREGO, R; COBELO-GARCIA, A; MARMOLEJO-RODRIGUEZ, J  and  SANTOS-ECHEANDIA, J. Trace elements in the Prestige fuel-oil spill: Levels and influence on Laxe Ria sediments (NW Iberian Peninsula). Cienc. mar [online]. 2006, vol.32, n.1b, pp.179-186. ISSN 0185-3880.

Trace elements have been determined in sediments from the Laxe Ria (NW Iberian Peninsula) one year before and one year after the Prestige fuel-oil spill (November 2002; 42°11' N, 12°02' W). The elements analyzed (Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se and V) were chosen because they appeared to represent a potential contaminant from the deposited oil in the sediments. Enrichment factors, based on Al-normalized background concentrations, did not indicate metal contamination in the sediments from most of the ría; however, a severe contamination by Cu, Mo, Ni and V was found in the area of Corme Inlet, where the fuel oil could have accumulated as a result of the ria's hydrodynamic pattern .

Keywords : inorganic elements; metal; oil spill; contamination; sediment; ria; Prestige tanker; Laxe, NW Spain.

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