Tellurium behaviour in a major European fluvial–estuarine system (Gironde, France): fluxes, solid/liquid partitioning and bioaccumulation in wild oysters

Tellurium (Te) is a technology critical element (TCE) with largely unknown environmental behaviour, especially in continent-ocean interface systems. The unknown behaviour results from the lack of studies in aquatic environments and from analytical challenges limiting the determination of its naturally low (ultra-trace) environmental levels. We performed a comprehensive study of Te in the Lot–Garonne–Gironde fluvial–estuarine system to better understand seasonal variations, solid/liquid partitioning (Kd), gross fluxes, estuarine dynamics, and transfer to wild oysters at the estuary mouth. A temporal record (2014–2017) of dissolved (Ted) and particulate (Tep) Te concentrations at five sites in the Lot–Garonne River system shows little differences between sites, with average ~0.9 ng L−1 and ~50 µg kg−1 respective concentrations. Watershed Ted and Tep follow parallel seasonal patterns, which result in constant partitioning (log10 Kd ~4.75 L kg−1), with constant annual gross dissolved fluxes (~15.0 kg y−1) and variable gross particulate fluxes (from 6.50 to 140 kg y−1) entering the Gironde Estuary. Estuarine reactivity in contrasting hydrological conditions (from flood to drought) suggest that grain-size effects and/or estuarine hydrological residence times strongly affect Tep behaviour. Historical records (1984–2017) of Te in wild oysters at the estuary mouth vary from 1.33 to 2.89 µg kg−1 dry weight (d.w.), without any clear long-term trend. This study provides rare knowledge on Te environmental dynamics in aquatic systems, and suggests that, although no current anthropogenic sources were identified in the economically developed Lot-Garonne-Gironde fluvial-estuarine system, there is a non-negligible bioaccumulation in wild oysters at the estuary mouth.

Keyword(s)

Garonne River, Gironde Estuary, Lot River, RNO, ROCCH, technology critical element

Full Text

FilePagesSizeAccess
Author's final draft
301 Mo
Publisher's official version
14896 Ko
How to cite
Gil-Díaz Teba, Schäfer Jörg, Dutruch Lionel, Bossy Cécile, Pougnet Frédérique, Abdou Melina, Lerat-Hardy Antoine, Pereto Clément, Derriennic Hervé, Briant Nicolas, Sireau Teddy, Knoery Joel, Blanc Gerard (2019). Tellurium behaviour in a major European fluvial–estuarine system (Gironde, France): fluxes, solid/liquid partitioning and bioaccumulation in wild oysters. Environmental Chemistry. 16 (4). 229-242. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN18226, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00505/61684/

Copy this text