Metals loads into the Mediterranean Sea: estimate of Sarno River inputs and ecological risk

The metals pollution in the Sarno River and its environmental impact on the Gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea) were estimated. Eight selected metals (As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment samples. Selected metals concentrations ranged from 0.32 to 1,680.39 μg l −1 in water DP, from 103.6 to 7,734.6 μg l −1 in SPM and from 90.7 to 2,470.3 mg kg −1 in sediment samples. Contaminant discharges of selected metals into the sea were calculated in about 13,977.6 kg year −1 showing that this river should account as one of the main contribution sources of metals to the Tyrrhenian Sea.