Spatiotemporal Distribution and Sources of Trace Elements in Ave River (Portugal) Lower Basin: Estuarine Water, Sediments and Indigenous Flora

This study aimed to assess the spatial and seasonal distribution and anthropogenic sources of trace elements (Li, Be, Al, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, and U) by ICP-MS in the Ave River lower basin, Portugal. Mean values (µg L−1) of Al (2384), Zn (55.3), Se (34.6), Cu (24.7), Pb (12.7), Ag (0.75), and Cd (0.66), exceeded the water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. The decreasing order of trace elements concentrations in surface water and sediments was, respectively: Al > Zn > Se > Mo > Li > Ba > V > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > U > Be > Co ≈ Sb > Ag ≈ Cd > Tl; and Al > Zn > Li > Ba > Cu > Pb > Cr > V > Ni > Co > U > Be > Se ≈ Mo ≈ Tl ≈ Cd ≈ Sb ≈ Ag. Moreover, the concentrations of nitrate values were higher than 50 mg L−1. To distinguish natural from anthropogenic sources, the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and the enrichment factor (EF) of sediments were determined. Igeo revealed high contamination by Al, Mn, Ba and Zn, while EF evidenced enrichment for Se, Cd, Zn, Li, Cu, Ag, Pb and U. Bioaccumulation factors (BF) in flora suggested that macroalgae, Medicago marina L. and Plantago lanceolata L., might be accumulators of Se, Mo, Ba and Pb (BF > 1). The highest translocation factor (TF) was found for Mo in leaves (33.6) and flowers (28.1) of P. lanceolata L..