Sources and Metal Pollution of Sediments from a Coastal Area of the Central Western Adriatic Sea (Southern Marche Region, Italy)

Sediments represent a critical compartment of marine coastal ecosystems due to the toxic and long-lasting effects contaminants buried therein. Here, we investigated properties surficial sediments in front Southern Marche Region coast (Central Adriatic Sea, Italy). The grain size was determined by X-ray sedigraphy. TN OC contents were elemental analysis. concentrations Al, Fe, Mg, K, S, Ca, Ti, P, Na, Mn, Li, As, Ba, Ga, Pb, Sr, Zn ICP-OES evaluate their spatial patterns temporal trends. A Q-mode Factor Analyses applied resulted identification three compositional facies (Padanic, Coastal, Residual) characterized common biogeochemical, mineralogical, sedimentological properties, transport pathway, source. Some pollution indicators, such as enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, load index calculated assess deviation from natural background levels. results showed As Ba human activities 20th century. Furthermore, general decreasing Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sc, V, Y levels suggested change sedimentation processes during last decades.