Trace metals from different anthropic sources on the mid-west coast of Asturias: Concentrations, dispersion and...

The central coast of Asturias (Spain), which has suffered significant anthropogenic impacts during the last 150 years, has been studied using 71 sediment samples to establish a preliminary scenario of the geochemical and environmental state of sediments, relating them to their potential sources. In general, As (max 28.5 μg g^-1), Cd (max 1.1 μg g^-1), Pb (max 123.5 μg g^-1) and Zn (max 572 μg g^-1) were the elements that presented the greatest concern due to 97.2 % of the sediment samples presented Cd concentrations higher than the regional baseline, 91.5 % of the samples for Zn, 90.1 % for Pb and 78.9 % for As. Additionally, Hg presents a particular case due to the existence of a natural geological anomaly which favours the presence of high concentrations. Nevertheless, anthropic activity contributes with a significant effect on the concentration of this element in the coastal environment.