Baeyens, W.

Billon, G.

Gao, Y.

Gaulier, C.

Guo, W.

Superville, P.-J.

English

Open Marine Archive

Goldschmidt2017 Abstract 
 
The geochemical behaviour of trace metals 
in the water column of the Belgian Coastal 
Zone 
CAMILLE GAULIER1,2*, PIERRE-JEAN SUPERVILLE2, WEI 
GUO1, WILLY BAEYENS1, GABRIEL BILLON2 AND YUE 
GAO1 
1 Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium 
(*correspondence: camille.gaulier@vub.be) 
2 Lille 1 University, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France 
 
Most trace metals exhibit a dual role in marine waters, 
they act as nutrients in low concentrations, but have toxic 
effects in the higher concentration ranges. Continuous 
monitoring efforts in the Belgian Coastal Zone (BCZ) has led 
to a better understanding of the fate of trace metals in the 
marine environment. However, the toxicity of these trace 
elements is strongly linked with their biogeochemical 
speciation, which shows both seasonal and spatial variation. 
Furthermore, classical speciation measurements of dissolved 
vs. particulate trace metals do not correlate well with the 
bioavailability of these species. 
Here, we compare the classical trace metal sampling 
procedure with an assessment of their bioavailability using 
Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films (DGT). This dual approach 
allows to shed light on the relation between trace metal 
concentrations and the actual bio-available fraction. Based on 
stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements of 
suspended particulate matter (SPM) we attempt to trace back 
the origin and identify the anthropogenic fingerprint on the 
trace metal geochemistry. The BCZ is  an ideal place to study 
trace metal behaviour, as the proximity of strong industrial 
activity has led to high concentrations of trace metals, as well 
as a strong anthropogenic impact. For this study, six stations 
were selected and sampled during two sampling campaigns 
(March & November 2016): 4 stations in the harbour zone 
and 2 stations in the North Sea (~ 5km offshore). Our results 
show that: (i) particulate and total dissolved metal 
concentrations are higher at harbour stations than the offshore 
ones; (ii) The higher dissolved and particulate concentrations 
do not correlate with their bioavailability; and (iii) SPM in the 
harbour zone is likely from allochthonous sources, while in 
the offshore stations it is mainly from marine origin.  
These results indicate that, even though contamination is 
higher in the harbour zones, the effect of trace metal toxicity 
is most likely not higher than in the open sea. However, with 
increasing acidification of the ocean, the higher particulate 
trace metal concentrations might lead to increasing adverse 
effects on the coastal environment. 


The geochemical behaviour of trace metals in the water column of the Belgian Coastal Zone

http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/324374.pdf

The geochemical behaviour of trace metals in the water column of the Belgian Coastal Zone

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