Resumen

GONZALEZ-LOZANO, María Cristina; MENDEZ-RODRIGUEZ, Lía C; LOPEZ-VENERONI, Diego G  y  VAZQUEZ-BOTELLO, Alfonso. Evaluation of sediment contamination in the port and coastal zone of salina cruz, oaxaca, mexico. INCI [online]. 2006, vol.31, n.9, pp.647-656. ISSN 0378-1844.

This study aims to evaluate recent sediments in the port and coastal areas of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico, the main oil and refined products supply center in the Mexican Pacific coast. The main pollutants from oil related activities, such as aromatic hydrocarbons (HA), extractable organic material (MOE) and heavy metals were measured, and their relation with toxicity and granulometric characteristics were determined. The study was carried out during three different seasons: dry season, rainy season after dredging the area, and rainy season in a calm period. Two defined zones were identified clearly according to total HA, MOE and physical and chemical water parameters. The harbor and outer port area exceeded HA values for non contaminated sediments and the lower quality limit that assures no effects on the biota according to sediments quality guidelines, in all three sampling seasons. Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn exceeded their low range values and their geoaccumulation index corresponds to moderate to strong contamination in the harbor and outer port area. The enrichment factor indicated anthropogenic contamination in both sites. Principal components analysis proved the separation of the two areas, the harbor and port zone and the coastal area, the latter with low pollutant contents and indicative of a zone with high depuration. The results can be useful as a baseline to establish the typical levels in port and neighboring area, and for licensing dredging activities in the harbor, inner port and access channels.

Palabras clave : Contaminación Portuaria; Metales Pesados; Sedimentos Marinos; Toxicidad.