Influence of chemical parameters (heavy metals, organic matter, sulphur and nitrogen) on toxicity of sediments from the Mar Piccolo (Taranto, Ionian Sea, Italy)

Multiple linear regression analysis carried out using available lead, nickel and manganese concentrations, as well as sulphur and non-humic carbon as independent variables and toxicity units as the dependent variable, accounted for a good percentage of the total variance of data (R2=91%). Nevertheless, sulphur and not humic carbon were the only significant components (p-value: 0.022 and 0.023, respectively).