Flux estimation, temporal trends and source determination of trace metal contamination in a major tributary of the Seine estuary, France

Type Article
Date 2020-07
Language English
Author(s) Gardes Thomas1, 2, Debret Maxime1, Copard Yoann1, Coynel Alexandra3, Deloffre Julien1, Fournier Matthieu1, Revillon Sidonie8, 9, Nizou Jean4, Develle Anne-Lise5, Sabatier Pierre5, Marcotte Stéphane6, Patault Edouard1, Faivre Quentin7, Portet-Koltalo Florence2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Normandie Univ, Rouen, UNIROUEN, UNICAEN, CNRS, M2C, 76000 Rouen, France
2 : Normandie Univ., Rouen, UMR CNRS, 6014 COBRA, 55 Rue Saint Germain, 27000 Evreux, France
3 : Université de Bordeaux, UMR EPOC CNRS 5085, 33615 Pessac, France
4 : IFREMER, IUEM, Place N. Copernic, F-29280 Brest, France
5 : Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, EDYTEM, 73000 Chambéry, France
6 : Normandie Univ, Rouen, INSA de Rouen, UMR CNRS 6014 COBRA, Avenue de l'Université, 76801 Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray Cedex, France
7 : Université de Tours, EA 6293 GéHCO, Parc de Grandmont, 37200 Tours, France
Source Science Of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier BV), 2020-07 , Vol. 724 , P. 138249 (16p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138249
WOS© Times Cited 8
Keyword(s) Anthropogenic impacts, Trace metals and metalloids, Eure River watershed, Temporal trends, Particulate metal flux, Pb isotopes
Abstract

Anthropogenic impacts on rivers have increased significantly over the past ~150 years, particularly at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Among other signs, this impact is manifested through the addition of trace metals and metalloid elements to rivers. The Eure River watershed in France covers an area of 6017 km2 and is a major tributary of the Seine estuary. It is not exempt from anthropogenic pressures and has been exposed to significant metal discharges over the last 80 years. The average concentrations of metals (i.e., Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Sb, and Pb), in suspended particulate matter currently transported by the river are high compared to the local geochemical background. Moreover, the lack of correlation between concentration variations and the hydrosedimentary behaviour of the Eure River suggests that the river is currently under anthropogenic pressure. Analysis of sediment cores indicate strong As contamination during the 1940s, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, and Hg contamination during the 1960s and 1970s, and Sb and Pb contamination during the 1990s and 2000s. The enrichment factors calculation suggests that total anthropogenic pressure within the Eure River watershed since the 1940s was comparable or higher than those in many other French watersheds. An estimation of particulate metal flux in 2017 shows that the Eure River watershed contributed to 7, 8, 9, 10 and 16% of total inputs to the Seine estuary in Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb respectively. Moreover, the estimation of past theoretical flux indicates that during the 1990s the Eure River watershed was the main contributor of particulate Pb to the estuary. The use of Pb isotopes has revealed that this contamination was primarily of industrial origin.

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Gardes Thomas, Debret Maxime, Copard Yoann, Coynel Alexandra, Deloffre Julien, Fournier Matthieu, Revillon Sidonie, Nizou Jean, Develle Anne-Lise, Sabatier Pierre, Marcotte Stéphane, Patault Edouard, Faivre Quentin, Portet-Koltalo Florence (2020). Flux estimation, temporal trends and source determination of trace metal contamination in a major tributary of the Seine estuary, France. Science Of The Total Environment, 724, 138249 (16p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138249 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00618/73046/