Problems in the assessment of heavy-metal levels in estuaries and the formation of a pollution index |
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Authors: | D L Tomlinson J G Wilson C R Harris D W Jeffrey |
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Institution: | (1) School of Botany, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland;(2) Zoology Department, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland;(3) Geology Department, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland;(4) School of Botany, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland |
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Abstract: | Most estuaries receive a high heavy-metal input from industries. This is reflected in the relatively high levels found in
numerous estuarine organisms and in sediments. Many indicators have been suggested for facilitating the detection of heavy-metal
pollution, but the problems in using these indicators to evaluate the metal loading of estuaries are considerable. Variations
in species composition, and conditions at different sites, differences in season of sampling, and age of organism, as well
as different metal levels in different parts of the organism, make the interpretation of results difficult. The levels reported
here, similar to those in other unpolluted estuaries, have been used to suggest a baseline concentration for heavy metals
in estuaries. The concept of a baseline is fundamental to the formation of a “Biological Quality Index” and “Pollution Load
Index,” and a formula for such an index is suggested and tested at a preliminary level against published data for an English
and a European estuary. |
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Keywords: | |
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