Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4426819 Environmental Pollution 2007 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

Vertical profiles of C, N, δ15N and Pb were measured in the Mondego and Mira estuaries as markers that conveyed notions as to the relative influence of anthropogenic influence over the past decades. Recent carbon changes in both estuaries may reflect changes in estuarine productivity, probably as a consequence of sediment reworking and erosion, and also of losses in salt marsh area and dwarf eelgrass beds. δ15N values began to diverge considerably before the %C and %N and were higher in Mondego. δ15N signatures detected N enrichment at relatively low rates, and indicated that Mondego received more enriched N than Mira. Lead concentrations differed between estuaries, with higher concentrations in Mondego. The secular increase in %N, Pb, and δ15N signatures was significantly related to human density in the watersheds of the estuaries and were sensitive indicators of anthropogenic activity.

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