Eutrophication history and organic carbon burial rate recorded in sediment cores from the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Italy).

During the second half of the twentieth century, coastal lagoons in densely populated regions experienced eutrophication due to excessive nutrient inputs. Detrimental effects, including hypoxia/anoxia and harmful algae blooms, have occurred in many Mediterranean lagoons, but their trophic evolution is poorly documented. The lack of adequate monitoring data can partly be offset by examining sedimentary records.

Dataset of analyzes performed to determine the level and timing of selected organic pollutants' inputs in sediments of the Lake of Cavazzo (Italy).

This data article presents the dataset collected for selected organic pollutants in the framework of a larger research project aimed at assessing the effects of different environmental stressors (natural and anthropogenic) in sediments of the Lake of Cavazzo, a basin of glacial origin located in a seismically active region of the Italian Eastern Alps. Information relative to sampling strategy and operations, location of sampling sites, sedimentary chronological benchmarks, and profiles of RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color code determined from high resolution photos taken at cores CAV-04 and CAV-06 are reported, together with analytical data for 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 21 polychlorinated biphenyls' congeners (including the non-Aroclor CB-11), 14 polybrominated diphenyl ethers' congeners, and 22 organochlorine pesticides, whose concentrations were determined by Gas Chromatography coupled both to Low-Resolution and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Interpretation of this dataset is fully discussed in the companion article by Pizzini et al.

PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, and OCPs trapped and remobilized in the Lake of Cavazzo (NE Italy) sediments: Temporal trends, quality, and sources in an area prone to anthropogenic and natural stressors.

Under the present climatic emergency, the environmental quality of freshwater reservoirs is an increasingly urgent topic as its deterioration threatens humans and ecosystems. It is evident that pollution by natural and anthropogenic contaminants must be avoided or reduced. The Lake of Cavazzo (NE Italy) is a natural perialpine basin which, from the mid-20th century, has sustained several anthropogenic impacts that added to the effects of the intense regional seismicity.

Multidisciplinary dataset for geological and environmental studies in the lake of Cavazzo (Southern Alps).

The present dataset was collected to evaluate the environmental stressors on a lacustrine basin in the Eastern Alps of glacial origin that has been affected in recent years by natural and anthropogenic events such as the construction of a hydroelectric power plant and a series of strong earthquakes during 1976-1977. We collected sediment cores in different sites from the lake margins to the depocenter and performed a multiproxy analysis of sediment sample to highlight lake stratigraphy and major changes occurring at a decadal scale (Polonia et al., [1]).

Screening environmental risk evaluation of As and trace metals in soils and sediments from a developing area (Bắc Giang Province, Northern Vietnam).

Despite the key role that areas close to the rivers Cầu and Ngũ Huyện Khê (Bắc Giang Province, Northern Vietnam) play in the socio-economic development of Vietnam, poor information is available on the level of contaminants and their natural backgrounds in local soils and sediments. To partially fill this gap and to take into account for pressures and impacts on different zones and environment types (river sediments, crop fields, family wells, industrial and urban soils), the samples were collected and analyzed for fifteen trace elements at thirty sites distributed over the province. To overcome the lack of information on natural background and to identify the extent of the deviation from natural conditions, we coupled statistical analysis to contamination indices.

Dataset for the assessment of selected POP's pollution and effectiveness of environmental policies in the Bắc Giang Province and Cầu River (Northern Vietnam).

This data article presents the datasets obtained during the years 2011-2012 in the Provinces of Bắc Giang and Bắc Ninh (Northern Vietnam) in the framework of an International Cooperation project aimed at the restoration and preservation of natural resources together with the improvement of life conditions of the local population. All information relative to sampling strategy, location and description of the studied sites are reported, together with analytical data ( grain size, Total Organic Carbon, Organic Nitrogen, C/N ratio, δC, PolyChlorinated Biphenyls, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PolyBrominated Diphenyls Ethers, PolyChlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Furans, OrganoChlorine Pesticides, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons). In addition, maximum admitted levels, quality standards and emission limits set by the Vietnamese environmental regulations are reported in comparison to Italian ones for the following parameters and environmental compartments: noise, soils, air, drinking and groundwaters, sediments.

Can PBDE natural formation and degradation processes interfere with the identification of anthropogenic trends and sources? Evidences from sediments of the Nador Lagoon (Morocco).

This paper presents the first results related to PBDE concentrations in sediments of the Nador Lagoon (N-E Morocco), an area endangered by different pollutant sources. Analyses were performed by HRGC-LRMS and confirmed by HRGC-HRMS on selected samples. Total surficial concentrations were 0.

Sediment pollution and dynamic in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (southern Italy): insights from bottom sediment traps and surficial sediments.

Major and trace element, PAH, and PCB concentrations were measured in surface sediments and particles from sediment traps collected in the First and Second Basin of the Mar Piccolo (Gulf of Taranto) in two periods (June-July and August-September, 2013). The aim of the study was to evaluate pollution degree, sediment transport and particle redistribution dynamic within the area. Results confirm the higher contamination of sediments from the First Basin observed by previous researches, particularly for Cu, Hg, Pb, total PAHs, and total PCBs.

Recognizing different impacts of human and natural sources on the spatial distribution and temporal trends of PAHs and PCBs (including PCB-11) in sediments of the Nador Lagoon (Morocco).

The Nador Lagoon holds a major interest in present-day Moroccan socioeconomic development. This environment is exposed to a number of potential polluting sources, such as mine tailings, urban and industrial dumping, and untreated wastewater inputs from surrounding cities. The aim of this study was to assess concentrations and trends of persistent contaminants such as PCBs and PAHs and to identify their origin.

Historical pattern and mass balance of trace metals in sediments of the northwestern Adriatic Sea Shelf.

In view of the recent action in Marine Strategy Framework Directive, reconstructing the history of anthropogenic metal inputs and calculating the budgets for the northwestern part of the Italian Adriatic basin can provide a benchmark for comparison with new evidences and enlighten recent environmental changes. Among the metals, the attention was focused on Pb and Zn, as they provide the most significant anthropogenic signals. In 1988, areal distributions clearly identified the Po, Adige and Brenta rivers as the main sources of contaminants.

PBDEs and PCBs in sediments of the Thi Nai Lagoon (Central Vietnam) and soils from its mainland.

Concentration and distribution of PCBs, PCB 11, and PBDEs in both surficial sediment and soil samples, taken from a zone subject to recent accelerated development, were investigated to assess the environmental quality and understand both natural and anthropogenic processes that influence contaminant behaviors. Values of PCB and PBDE are in the lower range of those reported in literature, typical of low impacted coastal zones. This could be due to efficient processes of resuspension and removal.

An integrated approach to the assessment of pollutant delivery chronologies to impacted areas: Hg in the Augusta Bay (Italy).

Assessing pollution levels and trends in heavily impacted environments is important but hardly achievable due to the difficulty of recovering suitable undisturbed sediment records. An integrated approach is here presented to solve this kind of problem. It was adopted in the Augusta Bay (Italy) for the study of Hg historical inputs and present trends.

Soils and sediments of the Thua Thien-Hue Province (central Vietnam): recognizing trace element sources and the likely influence of natural events.

Trace element concentrations have been measured in soil and sediment samples taken from the Thua Thien Hue (TT-H) Province and the Tam Giang-Cau Hai (TG-CH) Lagoon in 2002 and 2004. Results show that the lagoon is only slightly contaminated by elements such as Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, whereas As, probably naturally enriched in this Asian region, reaches values above the lowest internationally accepted sediment quality guidelines. Concentrations in soils are ascribable to natural sources and distributions in the TG-CH Lagoon are mainly influenced by river inputs, with Ag and Cd undergoing estuarine desorption processes.

PCBs in Central Vietnam coastal lagoons: levels and trends in dynamic environments.

PCBs were analysed in surficial sediments and selected sediment cores collected between 2002 and 2008 in Central Vietnam coastal lagoons. The aim was to determine contamination levels and trends, and to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic pressures and natural events. Samples were mostly fine-grained with low total PCB concentrations (0.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in two salt marsh sediments of the Venice Lagoon.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in two dated salt marsh cores of the Venice Lagoon to assess their input chronology and to evaluate the importance of atmospheric deposition as a source. Sampling sites were chosen in order to evidence the differences between areas located leeward and windward with respect to inputs originating in both the city of Venice and the industrial area. Concentrations of PCB indicators (0.

PCDD/Fs in sediments of Central Vietnam coastal lagoons: in search of TCDD.

Samples from nine Central Vietnam coastal lagoons, together with three soils and sediments collected in two freshwater reservoirs of the Thua Thien-Hué province, were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Total concentrations are low, from 192 to 2912 pg g(-1) and depth profiles in Tam Giang-Cau Hai (TG-CH) sediment cores show only minor changes over time in PCDD/F input and composition. Octachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) is the prevailing congener (approximately 90%), indicating combustion as the main PCDD/F source to these coastal systems, whereas natural formation might be partly responsible for the presence at depth.

Historical PCB fluxes in the Mexico City Metropolitan Zone as evidenced by a sedimentary record from the Espejo de los Lirios lake.

The accumulation of PCBs over time was studied in a sediment core collected from Espejo de los Lirios, an ecological reserve located within the heart of Cuatitlan Izcalli, in the Northern part of Mexico City Metropolitan Zone. A (210)Pb-derived chronology, was used to reconstruct the historical PCB fluxes to the site during approximately 84 yr (1911-95). The highest input fluxes occurred in the 1977, after a significant increase after the late 1940s.

Recent sedimentary history of organic matter and nutrient accumulation in the Ohuira Lagoon, northwestern Mexico.

(210)Pb-derived sediment accumulation rates, as well as a suite of geochemical proxies (Al, Fe, delta(13)C, delta(15)N), were used to assess the time-dependent variations of C, N, and P fluxes recorded in two sediment cores collected at Ohuira Lagoon, in the Gulf of California, Mexico, during the last 100 years. Sedimentary C, N, and P concentrations increased with time and were related to land clearing, water impoundment, and agriculture practices, such as fertilization. C:N:P ratios and delta(13)C suggested an estuarine system that is responsive to increased C loading from a N-limited phytoplankton community, whereas delta(15)N values showed the transition between an estuarine-terrestrial to an estuarine-more marine environment, as a consequence of the declining freshwater supply into the estuary due to the channeling and impoundment of El Fuerte River between 1900 and 1956.

Pollution historical trends as recorded by sediments at selected sites of the Venice Lagoon.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and hexaclorobenzene (HCB) were determined in three sediment cores of the Venice Lagoon: I1, from the San Giuliano Canal that is likely the main source of pollutants for the study area; E, representing the lagoon sediment of the zone of Campalto; and M3, typical of a salt marsh environment and mostly subject to atmospheric inputs. Maximum concentrations were found in core I1: 25-1858 ngI-TE kg(-1) (PCDD/Fs), 1.7-13 microg kg(-1) (HCB), and 107-717 microg kg(-1) (PCBs) are surficial and peak values, respectively.

Heavy metals in marine coastal sediments: assessing sources, fluxes, history and trends.

Examples are presented from the Adriatic Sea, the Ligurian Sea and the Venice Lagoon to illustrate different approaches to the study of anthropogenic metals in marine coastal sediments. These examples refer to studies of areal distribution and transport mechanisms, individuation of the sources, sediment dating, chronology of the fluxes, present and past trends. In particular, some of the findings achieved in studying the Venice Lagoon are discussed from the point of view of anthropogenic changes both in sediment composition and contaminant fluxes.

Distribution of heavy metals in sediments of the Venice Lagoon: the role of the industrial area.

We sampled eighteen stations in the lagoon and nine in the canals of the industrial area of Porto Marghera. At each lagoon site a short core, 10 cm long, was taken and immediately extruded to obtain four slices 2.5 cm thick.