Heavy metal distribution in estuarine sediments: a comparison of a seagrass bed and adjacent bare sediment

Seagrasses are highly productive and dynamic ecosystems, which supply a range of ecosystem services. Despite this, seagrass communities are globally in decline, largely due to anthropogenic influences. Urban and agricultural development, coupled with poor land management practices, can result in increased pollutants entering estuaries. Sediments below seagrass beds have been relatively well established as nutrient sinks. However, few studies have looked specifically at the concentration of heavy metals in seagrass bed sediment compared with adjacent bare sediment. This paper presents some preliminary findings for looking into the relationship of heavy metals in seagrass bed sediment compared with adjacent bare sediment within a temperate estuary of eastern Australia. Of the metals and elements tested, aluminium, barium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sulphur and strontium were found in significantly higher concentrations within seagrass bed sediments compared to adjacent bare sediment