Ecotoxic metals in water and sediment of the southeastern part of the of Šibenik harbor, Croatia

Šibenik harbor is located in the lower part of the Krka river estuary. During last fifty years in the southeastern part of the Šibenik harbor (southern shore of the peninsula Mandalina) military port and repair shipyard were located. Currently, there has been building-out of nautical centre. Long-lasting port and shipyard activities contaminated surrounding aquatic environment with ecotoxic metals. Intention of this research was to identify present ecotoxic metals concentrations in water and sediment as a result of this contamination. In order to define its influence on the environment, we measured total mercury, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc concentrations in the water columns from three sampling sites. Measured concentrations were compared with ones from referent site located in the western part of the Šibenik harbor (Martinska). Concentrations of the ecotoxic metals were also analyzed in bulk and the fine fractions (< 63µm) in the sediment. Ecotoxic metals concentrations found in the water were not significantly elevated indicating weak anthropogenic influence. On the other hand, measured concentrations of the ecotoxic metals in sediment samples are significantly higher of naturally present concentrations. That is consequence of strong input o