Assessment of potentially toxic elements in surface sediments along the lower Coatzacoalcos River basin, Mexico.

ABSTRACT: Surface sediments from the lower Coatzacoalcos River basin were analyzed to assess the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTE: Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn), identify sites of ecotoxicological concern, and elucidate the sedimentary processes controlling their accumulation. The Coatzacoalcos River estuary (southern Gulf of Mexico) lies within one of Mexico's major industrial corridors, while small urban settlements and extensive agricultural areas impact the lower basin. Several sampling sites displayed concentrations of Cr (47.5-85.9 μg g^-1), Cu (15.0-37.4 μg g^-1), Pb (6.6-14.6 μg g^-1), and Zn (80.5-178.3 μg g^-1) above background values, although only minor enrichments were observed. Ecological risk indices did not discriminate between sites, indicati

SUBMITTER: Ontiveros-Cuadras JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862025 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature