Spatial distribution of elements in near surface sediments as a consequence of sediment origin and anthropogenic activities in a coastal area in northern Italy

Abstract The study reports the results of a geochemical survey in coastal area northern Italy with focus on distribution chemical elements near surface sediments as result both sediment origin and anthropogenic activities. In addition to emphasizing source-to-sink element dynamics area, main purpose this paper is ascertain if anthropic presence could have altered composition urban industrial areas. We considered 173 sampling sites, collected soil material from depth 90–110 cm. Major trace assessment milled 2 mm fraction was conducted using WDXRF for Al, As, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, Zn Zr. addition, Loss On Ignition (LOI) determined. Principal component analysis (PCA) cluster (CA) were performed data interpretation. concentration heavily related origin. major LOI, Rb V characterizes alluvial plain sediments. These materials Apenninic finer texture carbonates respect other area. Coastal display general wider range variation concentrations (i.e. Ti Zr) due dual particular, greater Mn Zr content enriched by heavy minerals (e.g. garnet, chromite, zircon) Alpine origin, while lesser back Near areas always contain higher Pb same not impacted settlements. This likely consequence movement made men over last 2000 years. suggest that adopted calculation background values might need be increased reach unaltered