| Title | Climate change impacts on sediment quality of Subalpine reservoirs: Implications on management |
| Abstract | Reservoirs are characterized by accumulation of sediments where micropollutants may concentrate, with potential toxic effects on downstream river ecosystems. However, sediment management such as flushing is needed to maintain storage capacity. Climate change is expected to increase sediment loads, but potential effects on their quality are scarcely known. In this context, sediment contamination by trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and organics (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAHs, Polychlorinated Biphenyls PCBs and C > 12 hydrocarbons) was analyzed in 20 reservoirs located in Italian Central Alps. A strong As and a moderate Cd, Hg and Pb enrichment was emphasized by I, with potential ecotoxicological risk according to Probable Effect Concentration quotients. Sedimentation rate, granulometry, total organic carbon (TOC) and altitude resulted as the main drivers governing pollutant concentrations in sediments. According to climate change models, expected increase of rainfall erosivity will enhance soil erosion and consequently the sediment flow to reservoirs, potentially increasing coarse grain fractions and thus potentially diluting pollutants. Conversely, increased weathering may enhance metal fluxes to reservoirs. Increased vegetation cover will potentially result in higher TOC concentrations, which may contrast contaminant bioavailability and thus toxicity. Our results may provide elements for a proper management of contaminated sediments in a climate change scenario aiming at preserving water quality and ecosystem functioning. |
| Source | Water (Basel) 9 (9) |
| Keywords | Contaminated sedimentsDamsDesiltationSedimentation rateTrace metals |
| Journal | Water (Basel) |
| Editor | Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.3390/w9090680 |
| Authors | Marziali, Laura; Tartari, Gianni; Salerno, Franco; Valsecchi, Lucia; Bravi, Clara; Lorenzi, Erika; Genoni, Pietro; Guzzella, Licia |
| Text | 461567 2017 10.3390/w9090680 Scopus 2 s2.0 85029166460 Contaminated sediments Dams Desiltation Sedimentation rate Trace metals Climate change impacts on sediment quality of Subalpine reservoirs Implications on management Marziali, Laura; Tartari, Gianni; Salerno, Franco; Valsecchi, Lucia; Bravi, Clara; Lorenzi, Erika; Genoni, Pietro; Guzzella, Licia CNR IRSA; Lombardy Region Reservoirs are characterized by accumulation of sediments where micropollutants may concentrate, with potential toxic effects on downstream river ecosystems. However, sediment management such as flushing is needed to maintain storage capacity. Climate change is expected to increase sediment loads, but potential effects on their quality are scarcely known. In this context, sediment contamination by trace elements As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn and organics Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAHs, Polychlorinated Biphenyls PCBs and C > 12 hydrocarbons was analyzed in 20 reservoirs located in Italian Central Alps. A strong As and a moderate Cd, Hg and Pb enrichment was emphasized by I, with potential ecotoxicological risk according to Probable Effect Concentration quotients. Sedimentation rate, granulometry, total organic carbon TOC and altitude resulted as the main drivers governing pollutant concentrations in sediments. According to climate change models, expected increase of rainfall erosivity will enhance soil erosion and consequently the sediment flow to reservoirs, potentially increasing coarse grain fractions and thus potentially diluting pollutants. Conversely, increased weathering may enhance metal fluxes to reservoirs. Increased vegetation cover will potentially result in higher TOC concentrations, which may contrast contaminant bioavailability and thus toxicity. Our results may provide elements for a proper management of contaminated sediments in a climate change scenario aiming at preserving water quality and ecosystem functioning. 9 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85029166460 origin=inward Articolo in rivista Molecular Diversity Preservation International 2073 4441 Water Basel Water Basel Water Basel Water. Basel lucia.valsecchi VALSECCHI LUCIA gianni.tartari TARTARI GIANNI liciamaria.guzzella GUZZELLA LICIA MARIA franco.salerno SALERNO FRANCO laura.marziali MARZIALI LAURA DTA.AD002.552.001 Invasi Regione Lombardia |
