Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sources, distribution and temporal variability of trace metals in the Thames Estuary

  • Thames Estuary
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Water and intertidal sediment samples were collected from 28 stations along the Thames Estuary, from the tidal limit to the outer estuary. Surveys were conducted in 1997, 1999 and 2001 to assess spatial distributions and short-term variability. Highest concentrations of trace metals in water coincided with high turbidity in the mid-estuarine region, although the particle-associated fraction varied from 22% (As) to 95% (Pb). Theoretical dilution line (TDL) plots showed that dissolved metals were largely derived from a combination of diffuse (sediment desorption) and localised point sources (outfalls, industry). Dissolved Cu and Zn both exceeded environmental quality standard (EQS) levels during the survey period. The majority of sediment metals showed common distributional patterns, with increasing concentrations upstream. This increase was greatest for pollutant metals: Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. Partial extraction of sediment metals with 1 M HCl showed that >50% of Ag, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn were potentially bioavailable and that the proportion of bioavailable sediment metals also increased upstream. The majority of sediment metal concentrations exceeded Interim Sediment Quality Guideline threshold effects levels (TELs) over much of the estuary. Sediment concentrations of Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn also exceeded probable effects levels (PELs) at many estuarine sites. Despite improvements in recent years, the Thames Estuary remains chronically contaminated with a range of metals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andrews, M. J., 1984. Thames Estuary: pollution and recovery. In Sheehan, P. J., D. R. Miller, G. C. Butler & P. Bourdeau (eds), Effects of Pollutants at the Ecosystem Level. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester: 195–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Attrill, M. & R. Myles Thomas, 1995. Heavy metal concentrations in sediment from the Thames Estuary, UK. Marine Pollution Bulletin 30: 742–744.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bryan, G. W. & W. J. Langston, 1992. Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy-metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries—a review. Environmental Pollution 76: 89–131.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, J. D. & P. S. Liss, 1976. Estuarine Chemistry. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • CCME, 1999. Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life: Summary Tables. Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines, Canadian Council of Ministers for Environment, Winnipeg.

    Google Scholar 

  • CEFAS, 1997. Monitoring and surveillance of non-radioactive contaminants in the aquatic environment and activities regulating the disposal of wastes at sea, 1994. 59 Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report.

  • Danielsson, L. G., B. Magnusson, S. Westerlund & K. Zhang, 1982. Trace-metal determinations in estuarine waters by electrothermal atomic-absorption spectrometry after extraction of dithiocarbamate complexes into freon. Analytica Chimica Acta 144: 183–188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harino, H., S. C. M. O’Hara, G. R. Burt, B. S. Chesman, N. D. Pope & W. J. Langston, 2003. Organotin compounds in Mersey and Thames Estuaries a decade after UK TBT legislation. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 83: 11–22.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, D. J., 1988. Dissolved cadmium and lead in the Thames Estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin 19: 535–538.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinniburgh, J., 1998. Physical and chemical characteristics. In Attrill, M. J. (ed.), A Rehabilitated Estuarine Ecosystem. The Environment and Ecology of the Thames Estuary. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 27–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox, S., W. J. Langston, M. Whitfield, D. R. Turner & M. I. Liddicoat, 1984. Statistical-analysis of estuarine profiles. 2. Application to arsenic in the Tamar Estuary (SW England). Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 18: 623–638.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langston, W. J., 1983. The behavior of arsenic in selected United Kingdom estuaries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 40: 143–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langston, W., G. Burt & N. Pope, 1999. Bioavailability of metals in sediments of the Dogger Bank (Central North Sea): a Mesocosm Study. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 48: 519–540.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langston, W. J., P. E. Gibbs, P. L. Pascoe, B. S. Chesman, G. R. Burt, N. D. Pope & J. McEvoy, 2000. Tributyltin (TBT) impact in the Thames Estuary. 67 Thames Estuary Environmental Quality Series. Marine Biological Association, Plymouth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langston, W. J., B. S. Chesman, G. R. Burt, J. McEvoy & N. D. Pope, 2003. Bioaccumulation of metals in the Thames Estuary—1999. Thames Estuary Environmental Quality Series (8): 131 pp.

  • McEvoy, J., W. J. Langston, G. R. Burt & N. D. Pope, 2000. Bioaccumulation of metals in the Thames Estuary—1997. Thames Estuary Environmental Quality Series (2): 116 pp.

  • Nelson, L. A., 1979. Minor elements in the sediments of the Thames Estuary. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 9: 623–629.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, L. A., 1981. Mercury in the Thames Estuary. Environmental Technology Letters 2: 225–232.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly Wiese, S. B., C. L. MacLeod & J. N. Lester, 1997. A recent history of metal accumulation in the sediments of the Thames Estuary, United Kingdom. Estuaries 20: 483–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, N. D., J. Widdows & M. D. Brinsley, 2006. Estimation of bed shear stress using the turbulent kinetic energy approach—a comparison of annular flume and field data. Continental Shelf Research 26(8): 959–970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Power, M., M. J. Attrill & R. M. Thomas, 1999. Heavy metal concentration trends in the Thames Estuary. Water Research 33: 1672–1680.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scrimshaw, M. D. & J. N. Lester, 1995. Organochlorine contamination in sediments of the Inner Thames Estuary. Journal of Chartered Institute of Water and Environment Management 9: 519–525.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scrimshaw, M. D. & J. N. Lester, 1997. Estimates of the inputs of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine insecticides to the River Thames derived from the sediment record. Philisophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London. Series A 355: 189–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. D., R. A. Nicholson & P. J. Moore, 1973. Mercury in sediments from the Thames Estuary. Environmental Pollution 4: 153–157.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, C. & B. Ng, 1999. Distribution of copper, nickel and zinc in the Thames Estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin 38: 328–331.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tinsley, D., 1998. The Thames Estuary: a history of the impact of humans on the environment and a description of the current approach to environmental management. In Attrill, M. J. (ed.), A Rehabilitated Estuarine Ecosystem. The Environment and Ecology of the Thames Estuary. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 5–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, A., G. E. Millward & A. W. Morris, 1991. Particulate metals in five major North Sea estuaries. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 32: 325–346.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Support for this study from the Environment Agency (Thames Region) is gratefully acknowledged. We would particularly like to thank the EA fisheries staff at Crossness for assistance with small boats and use of laboratory facilities. We are also indebted to the crew of Thames Guardian for assistance with water sampling.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK

    N. D. Pope & W. J. Langston

Authors
  1. N. D. Pope
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. J. Langston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. D. Pope.

Additional information

Guest editors: R. J. Uncles & S. B. Mitchell / The Thames Estuary and Estuaries of South East England

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pope, N.D., Langston, W.J. Sources, distribution and temporal variability of trace metals in the Thames Estuary. Hydrobiologia 672, 49–68 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0758-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0758-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation