Assessing Heavy Metals in the Sele River Estuary: An Overview of Pollution Indices in Southern Italy.

ABSTRACT: Rapid industrialization, coupled with a historical lack of understanding in toxicology, has led in an increase in estuary pollution, frequently resulting in unexpected environmental situations. Therefore, the occurrence of heavy metals (HMs) constitutes a major environmental issue, posing a serious risk both to aquatic ecosystems and public health. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of eight HMs (As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in water, suspended particles, and sediment near the Sele River estuary (Italy) in order to assess their environmental impacts on the sea and health risks for humans. The results revealed an increasing order of HM concentration according to the scheme suspended particulate matter (SPM) > sediment (SED) > dissolved phase (DP) and a moderate contamination sta

SUBMITTER: Di Duca F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10819315 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature