Effect of forced aeration on the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients and metal(loid)s as a remedy for hypoxia in a permanently stratified estuary (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea).

The Timavo River estuary (northern Adriatic Sea) is characterised by strong thermohaline stratification that keeps the deep waters hypoxic. The consequence is an harmful algal bloom at the surface in summer that can be mitigated with a forced aeration system installed at the bottom to improve water oxygenation. The nutrient and metal(loid) cycle was investigated, before and during reoxygenation, using an in situ benthic chamber coupled with sampling and analyses of the water column, sediments and porewater. Dissolved oxygen (DO) decreased along the water column and quickly within the benthic chamber when aeration was not in operation, resulting in hypoxia (2.29 mg L-1) at the bottom and consequent increase in nutrient and metal(loid) concentrations. In contrast, DO levels increased during the activation of the forced aeration system, which proved effective in mitigating oxygen depletion and the efflux of metal(loid)s and nutrients into the overlying water.

Dissolved gaseous mercury production and sea-air gaseous exchange in impacted coastal environments of the northern Adriatic Sea.

The northern Adriatic Sea is well known for mercury (Hg) contamination mainly due to historical Hg mining which took place in Idrija (Slovenia). The formation of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) and its subsequent volatilisation can reduce the amount of Hg available in the water column. In this work, the diurnal patterns of both DGM production and gaseous elemental Hg (Hg0) fluxes at the water-air interface were seasonally evaluated in two selected environments within this area, a highly Hg-impacted, confined fish farm (VN: Val Noghera, Italy) and an open coastal zone less impacted by Hg inputs (PR: Bay of Piran, Slovenia). A floating flux chamber coupled with a real-time Hg0 analyser was used for flux estimation in parallel with DGM concentrations determination through in-field incubations. Substantial DGM production was observed at VN (range = 126.0-711.3 pg L-1) driven by both strong photoreduction and possibly dark biotic reduction, resulting in higher values in spring and summer and comparable concentrations throughout both day and night. Significantly lower DGM was observed at PR (range = 21.8-183.4 pg L-1). Surprisingly, comparable Hg0 fluxes were found at the two sites (range VN = 7.43-41.17 ng m-2 h-1, PR = 0-81.49 ng m-2 h-1), likely due to enhanced gaseous exchanges at PR thanks to high water turbulence and to the strong limitation of evasion at VN by water stagnation and expected high DGM oxidation in saltwater. Slight differences between the temporal variation of DGM and fluxes indicate that Hg evasion is more controlled by factors such as water temperature and mixing conditions than DGM concentrations alone. The relative low Hg losses through volatilisation at VN (2.4-4.6% of total Hg) further confirm that static conditions in saltwater environments negatively affect the ability of this process in reducing the amount of Hg retained in the water column, therefore potentially leading to a greater availability for methylation and trophic transfer.

Environmental impact of potentially toxic elements on soils, sediments, waters, and air nearby an abandoned Hg-rich fahlore mine (Mt. Avanza, Carnic Alps, NE Italy).

The decommissioned fahlore Cu-Sb(-Ag) mine at Mt. Avanza (Carnic Alps, Italy) is a rare example of exploited ore deposits, as the tetrahedrite (Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13) is the main ore mineral found. This multi-compartmental geochemical characterisation approach provides one of the first case studies regarding the geochemical behaviour and fate of Hg, Sb, As, Cu, and other elements in solid and water matrices and of Hg in the atmosphere in an environment affected by the mining activity of a fahlore ore deposit. Elevated concentrations of the elements (Cu, Sb, As, Pb, Zn, Hg) associated with both (Zn-Hg)-tetrahedrite and to other minor ore minerals in mine wastes, soils, and stream sediments were observed. Concentrations in waters and stream sediments greatly decreased with increasing distance from the mining area and the Igeo index values testify the highest levels of sediment contamination inside the mine area. Thallium and Ge were associated with the "lithogenic component" and not to sulfosalt/sulphide minerals. Although mine drainage water often slightly exceeded the national regulatory limits for Sb and As, with Sb being more mobile than As, the relatively low dissolved concentrations indicate a moderate stability of the tetrahedrite. The fate of Hg at the investigated fahlore mining district appeared similar to cinnabar mining sites around the world. Weak solubility but the potential evasion of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) into the atmosphere also appear to be characteristics of Hg in fahlore ores. Although GEM concentrations are such that they do not present a pressing concern, real-time field surveys allowed for the easy identification of Hg sources, proving to be an effective, suitable high-resolution indirect approach for optimising soil sampling surveys and detecting mine wastes and mine adits.

Gaseous mercury evasion from bare and grass-covered soils contaminated by mining and ore roasting (Isonzo River alluvial plain, Northeastern Italy).

High amounts of mercury (Hg) can be released into the atmosphere from soil surfaces of legacy contaminated areas as gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0). The alluvial plain of the Isonzo River (NE Italy) suffered widespread Hg contamination due to the re-distribution of Hg-enriched material discharged by historical cinnabar mining at the Idrija mine (Slovenia), but an assessment of Hg0 releases from the soils of this area is still lacking. In this work, Hg0 fluxes at the soil-air interface were evaluated using a non-steady state flux chamber coupled with a real-time Hg0 analyser at 6 sites within the Isonzo River plain. Measurements were performed in summer, autumn, and winter both on bare and grass-covered soil plots at regular time intervals during the diurnal period. Moreover, topsoils were analysed for organic matter content and Hg total concentration and speciation. Overall, Hg0 fluxes tracked the incident UV radiation during the sampling periods with daily averages significantly higher in summer (62.4 ± 14.5-800.2 ± 178.8 ng m-2 h-1) than autumn (15.2 ± 4.7-280.8 ± 75.6 ng m-2 h-1) and winter (16.9 ± 7.9-187.8 ± 62.7 ng m-2 h-1) due to higher irradiation and temperature, which favoured Hg reduction reactions. In summer and autumn significant correlations were observed between Hg0 fluxes and soil Hg content (78-95% cinnabar), whereas this relationship was not observed in winter likely due to relatively low emissions found in morning measurements in all sites coupled with low temperatures. Finally, vegetation cover effectively reduced Hg0 releases in summer (∼9-68%) and autumn (∼41-78%), whereas the difference between fluxes from vegetated and bare soils was not evident during winter dormancy due to scarce soil shading. These results suggest the opportunity of more extended spatial monitoring of Hg0 fluxes particularly in the croplands covering most of the Isonzo River alluvial plain and where bare soils are frequently disturbed by agricultural practices and directly exposed to radiation.

Concentration of mercury in human hair and associated factors in residents of the Gulf of Trieste (North-Eastern Italy).

The Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) is the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea most highly contaminated by mercury (Hg) due to fluvial inputs from the Isonzo/Soca River system, draining over 500 years' worth of cinnabar extraction activity from the Idrija mining district (Western Slovenia). The aim of this research is to investigate the concentration of Hg in hair samples taken from the general population of the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region coastal area, as a marker of chronic exposure to Hg. Three hundred and one individuals - 119 males and 182 females - were recruited by convenience sampling in Trieste in September 2021. An amount of approximately 100 mg of hair was collected from the occipital scalp of each participant to measure the respective Hg concentrations (expressed as mg/kg). Moreover, participants completed a self-report questionnaire collecting extensive socio-demographic and life-style information. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed to investigate factors associated with increased levels of Hg concentration in hair. A mean Hg concentration in hair of 1.63 mg/kg was found, slightly above the 1.0 mg/kg threshold recommended by the WHO for pregnant women and children, although still well below the no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) of 10 mg/kg. Among respondents, 55.6% showed a Hg concentration in hair > 1 mg/kg, 22.9% > 2 mg/kg, and 2 participants exhibited Hg levels > 10 mg/kg. The adjusted mean hair Hg level increased in those subjects who reported a preference for shellfish/crayfish/mollusks (RC = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.16; 0.55), whereas it decreased in those who reported a preference for frozen fish (RC = -0.23; 95%CI: - 0.39; - 0.06). Though a risk alert for Hg exposure for coastal residents from FVG is deemed unnecessary at this time, it is recommended that pregnant women limit their ingestion of locally caught fish to < 4 servings/month.

Occupational exposure to mercury from cinnabar enriched sand in workers of Grado Beach, Gulf of Trieste (North-eastern Italy, upper Adriatic Sea).

Health and safety of occupations entailing extensive skin contact with cinnabar-enriched sand in beaches of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region (North-eastern Italy) have been questioned for possible skin absorption of mercury (Hg). One hundred mg hair was collected from the occipital scalp of 50 male workers of Grado beach and 121 males from FVG general population. Factors associated with hair Hg content were investigated by multivariable logistic (considering Hg levels >1 vs ≤1 mg/kg) and log-transformed linear regression. The median hair concentration of Hg in male beach workers was 0.70 (IQR = 0.42; 1.34) mg/kg, lower than FVG general population's [1.29 (IQR = 0.87-2.06) mg/kg (p < 0.001)]. In both regression models the hair Hg increased with fish consumption, both among beach workers of Grado and FVG general population. The mean Hg levels in beach workers of Grado fell within an acceptable range, not requiring restrictions of their occupational activities.

Gaseous Mercury Exchange from Water-Air Interface in Differently Impacted Freshwater Environments.

Gaseous exchanges of mercury (Hg) at the water-air interface in contaminated sites strongly influence its fate in the environment. In this study, diurnal gaseous Hg exchanges were seasonally evaluated by means of a floating flux chamber in two freshwater environments impacted by anthropogenic sources of Hg, specifically historical mining activity (Solkan Reservoir, Slovenia) and the chlor-alkali industry (Torviscosa dockyard, Italy), and in a pristine site, Cavazzo Lake (Italy). The highest fluxes (21.88 ± 11.55 ng m-2 h-1) were observed at Solkan, coupled with high dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) and dissolved Hg (THgD) concentrations. Conversely, low vertical mixing and saltwater intrusion at Torviscosa limited Hg mobility through the water column, with higher Hg concentrations in the deep layer near the contaminated sediments. Consequently, both DGM and THgD in surface water were generally lower at Torviscosa than at Solkan, resulting in lower fluxes (19.01 ± 12.65 ng m-2 h-1). However, at this site, evasion may also be limited by high atmospheric Hg levels related to dispersion of emissions from the nearby chlor-alkali plant. Surprisingly, comparable fluxes (15.56 ± 12.78 ng m-2 h-1) and Hg levels in water were observed at Cavazzo, suggesting a previously unidentified Hg input (atmospheric depositions or local geology). Overall, at all sites the fluxes were higher in the summer and correlated to incident UV radiation and water temperature due to enhanced photo production and diffusivity of DGM, the concentrations of which roughly followed the same seasonal trend.

The Legacy of the Idrija Mine Twenty-Five Years after Closing: Is Mercury in the Water Column of the Gulf of Trieste Still an Environmental Issue?

Mercury (Hg) contamination in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) due to mining activity in Idrija (Slovenia) still represents an issue of environmental concern. The Isonzo/Soca River's freshwater inputs have been identified as the main source of Hg into the Gulf, especially following periods of medium-high discharge. This research aims to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of dissolved (DHg) and particulate (PHg) Hg along the water column in the northernmost sector of the Gulf, a shallow and sheltered embayment suitable for the accumulation of fine sediments. Sediment and water samples were collected under unperturbed and perturbed environmental conditions induced by natural and anthropogenic factors. Mercury in the sediments (0.77-6.39 µg g-1) and its relationship to grain size were found to be consistent with previous research focused on the entire Gulf, testifying to the common origin of the sediment. Results showed a notable variability of DHg (

Mercury vertical and horizontal concentrations in agricultural soils of a historically contaminated site: Role of soil properties, chemical loading, and cultivated plant species in driving its mobility.

The long term vertical and horizontal mobility of mercury (Hg) in soils of agricultural areas of a historically contaminated Italian National Relevance Site (SIN Brescia-Caffaro) was investigated. The contamination resulted from the continuous discharge of Hg in irrigation waters by an industrial plant (Caffaro S.p.A), equipped with a mercury-cell chlor-alkali process. The contamination levels with depth ranged from about 20 mg/kg dry weight (d.w.) of soil in the top (plow) layer to less than 0.1 mg/kg d.w. at 1 m depth. The concentrations varied also spatially, up to one order of magnitude within the same field and showing a decreasing trend from the Hg source (i.e., irrigation ditches). The concentration profiles and gradients measured were explained considering Hg loading, soil properties, such as the texture, organic carbon content, pH and cation exchange capacity. A Selective Sequential Extraction (SSE) was also applied on soil samples from an ad hoc greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of different plant species in influencing Hg speciation in soils. Although most of the extracted Hg was included in scarcely mobile or immobile forms, some plant species (i.e., alfalfa) showed to importantly increase the soluble and exchangeable fractions with respect to the unplanted control soils, thus affecting mobility and potential bioavailability of Hg.

Can Sediments Contaminated by Mining be a Source of Mercury in the Coastal Environment Due to Dredging? Evidence from Thermo-Desorption and Chemical Speciation.

The sediments in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy) are contaminated by mercury (Hg) due to historic mining which took place in Idrija (Slovenia). Despite many studies having been done regarding Hg, no information is available on the potential impact of dredging required along the main channel approaching the Port of Monfalcone. Sixteen surface sediment samples were collected along the channel to determine both total Hg concentration and chemical species using the thermo-desorption (TD) technique. Six samples were also chosen to apply a selective sequential extraction (SSE). The TD technique showed the maximum Hg release approximately at 260 and 335°C, corresponding to metacinnabar (ß-HgS) and cinnabar (α-HgS), respectively. The SSE demonstrated that Hg was mainly associated with poorly soluble or insoluble compounds (98.7%). A resuspension event over a limited period of time can be considered of negligible impact to the water column due to the scarce Hg mobility from sediments.

Prediction of Trace Metal Distribution in a Tailings Impoundment Using an Integrated Geophysical and Geochemical Approach (Raibl Mine, Pb-Zn Alpine District, Northern Italy).

When mines are decommissioned, tailings piles can act as sources of contamination for decades or even centuries. Tailings, which usually contain high concentrations of metals and trace elements, can be reprocessed for a secondary recovery of valuable elements with an innovative approach to a circular economy. This study offers new results for tailings ponds characterisation and chemical content prediction based on an integrated geophysical-geochemical approach. The study of the Raibl Pb-Zn tailings impoundment was done using bulk chemical analysis on borehole samples, Electrical Resistivity Tomography surveys, and Ground Penetrating Radar measurements. We found valuable and statistically significant correlations between the electrical resistivity of the mining impoundments and the metal distribution, thus providing a practical opportunity to characterise large volumes of metal-bearing tailings. In particular, these results can be useful to aid in the development of environmental monitoring programs for remediation purposes or to implement economic secondary recovery plans.

Mercury and arsenic mobility in resuspended contaminated estuarine sediments (Asturias, Spain): A laboratory-based study.

Estuarine sediments must be dredged to allow for navigation, and where these sediments are placed after dredging depends upon guidelines based only on the total concentration of contaminants. However, resuspension events could seriously affect the mobility and speciation of contaminants, including potentially toxic trace elements stored in sediments. The effects of resuspension on the cycling of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) between the sediment and water column was investigated in a mesocosm study. Four experiments were conducted in three estuaries in northern Spain based on samples collected from sites which have been impacted by decommissioned Hg and As mines and periodically subjected to dredging activities. Designed to mimic the resuspension of particles, each of the experiments revealed that the release of Hg and As species does not only depend on the total concentration in the sediments (16.3-50.9 mg kg-1, for As and 0.52-5.01 mg kg-1 for Hg). The contribution from porewaters and the subsequent reductive dissolution and/or desorption appear to be the main processes responsible for the abrupt increase in dissolved Hg and As species (maximum release of 427% and 125%, respectively). In some cases, As and Hg continued to remain at high concentrations in the water column even after the experiments were completed, thus testifying to their critical persistence in the dissolved form. Conversely, at the other sites, the restoration of pre-resuspension conditions was observed only a few hours after resuspension, mainly due to the role of Fe oxy-hydroxides which provides suitable surfaces for adsorption and/or co-precipitation involving dissolved Hg (maximum removal of -58%) and As (maximum removal of -25%) species. The results of this research could be helpful to take appropriate decisions regarding dredging especially at the Nalòn estuary, where the release of dissolved As(V) and MeHg appeared to be favoured by sediment resuspension.

Trace elements in the estuarine systems of the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea): A chemometric approach to depict partitioning and behaviour of particulate, colloidal and truly dissolved fractions.

Estuaries are transitional water systems where the hydrodynamic processes governing water circulation actively influence suspended particle transport and deposition. In the estuarine mixing zone, the strong physico-chemical gradients resulting from the interaction between river freshwater and seawater may affect the distribution, mobility and fate of several potentially toxic compounds, among which trace elements are of major concern. Knowledge regarding the partitioning behaviour of trace elements would provide essential scientific support for the environmental management of estuaries. In this study, trace element occurrence and phase partitioning among suspended particulate matter, colloidal material and the truly dissolved fraction were investigated in the main Italian and Slovenian estuarine environments of the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea). Further information about the water quality at the river mouths was provided and, in addition to the traditional evaluation of single chemical parameters, a multi-way principal component analysis was employed in order to depict disparities among sampling sites, water layers and seasonal conditions with the final aim of evaluating trace element phase partitioning. Results indicated that the suspended particulate matter acts as the main effective vehicle for Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb, and enhanced adsorption processes resulted in elevated partitioning coefficients, especially for Fe and Pb. Although disparities occurred between sampling sites and seasons, trace elements showing affinity for the solid phase appeared to be partially bound to the colloidal material. Conversely, As and Cs prevailed in the truly dissolved fraction, especially in seawater and showed scarce affinity for both the suspended particles and colloids.

Organotin compounds in touristic marinas of the northern Adriatic Sea: occurrence, speciation and potential recycling at the sediment-water interface.

Butyltin compound (BTC) contamination was evaluated in two north Adriatic marinas, San Rocco (Italy) and Lucija (Slovenia). BTC sedimentary concentrations (121 ± 46 and 352 ± 30 ng Sn g-1 in San Rocco and Lucija, respectively) evidenced the past use of antifouling paints, confirmed by the reduced tributyltin content (~ 46%) with respect to the sum of BTC. Elemental and organic carbon isotopic (δ13C) analyses of bulk sediments and its lipid and humic substances were performed in order to evaluate their role in BTC partitioning and preservation. The δ13C of sedimentary bulk and refractory organic matter suggested that diagenetic processes could play a role in the preservation or release of pollutants. No contamination was found in water collected from the benthic chamber and thus, fluxes at the sediment-water interface were not assessed, except for MBT efflux at Lucija (28.9 ng Sn m-2 day-1). Nevertheless, BTC concentrations in porewaters (up to 75 ng Sn l-1) and rather low sediment-porewater partitioning coefficients (Kd) with respect to the data reported in the literature would suggest a potential risk of the reintroduction of BTC into the water column at both sites: at Lucija, sedimentary contamination is high despite the greater Log Kd, whilst at San Rocco, the low BTC concentration is associated with a reduced sediment affinity.

Dissolved Gaseous Mercury Production at a Marine Aquaculture Site in the Mercury-Contaminated Marano and Grado Lagoon, Italy.

Dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) production was examined in relation to ultraviolet radiation within a marine aquaculture site in the contaminated Marano and Grado Lagoon (Italy). The measured rates of DGM production relative to time elapsed (17.06 and 20.68 pg h-1, respectively) were substantially (6-20 times) higher than what has been observed in other marine Hg studies. We measured similar levels of DGM relative to dissolved total mercury (THgD) (0.84%-8.91%) at these sites in comparison to uncontaminated marine sites, however relative to other moderately-contaminated marine sites in Portugal the % DGM/THgD was high. These results suggest a substantial capacity for Hg volatilization from these highly contaminated lagoons to the atmosphere due to photoreduction mechanisms.

Diurnal fluxes of gaseous elemental mercury from the water-air interface in coastal environments of the northern Adriatic Sea.

A crucial step towards developing a more complete understanding of mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycling in coastal environments is the measurement of the fluxes of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), at the water-air interface (W-A interface). A floating flux chamber coupled with a real-time atomic adsorption spectrometer (Lumex-RA 915M) was applied to measure GEM concentrations, and to estimate the diurnal evasion flux at the W-A interface during three seasonal campaigns at four selected sites: two in a lagoon-based fish farm, one in an open lagoon environment highly impacted by long-term activities from the Idrija mercury mine (Slovenia), and an uncontaminated area of the Gulf of Trieste, the Bay of Piran (Slovenia). In this study, the regional background concentration measured at the uncontaminated site of atmospheric GEM (from 1.60 ±â€¯0.95 to 2.87 ±â€¯1.52 ng m-3) was determined. GEM fluxes at the W-A interface were found to be significantly higher during the summer (from 51.2 ±â€¯8.8 ng m-2 h-1 to 79.9 ±â€¯11.4 ng m-2 h-1) and correlated to incident solar radiation and water temperature. This finding confirms the importance of these two parameters in the photoreduction and biotic reduction of Hg2+ to dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM), which is volatile and easily released to the atmosphere in the form of GEM. These new insights will be of help for future estimates of Hg mass balance in one of the most contaminated areas in the Adriatic Sea.

Historical accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements resulting from mining activities in estuarine salt marshes sediments of the Asturias coastline (northern Spain).

The extensive extraction activity of mercury ores in Asturias (northwest Spain), also rich in As and Sb, has impacted the Nalón river estuary. The objective of this research was to assess the historical evolution of As-Hg-Sb accumulation in the salt marsh sediments of this area. For this purpose, sediment cores were collected from two different salt marshes (eastern and western river banks) in the estuarine environment to evaluate the degree of anthropogenic enrichment and the geochronology of As-Hg-Sb accumulation. Core subsampling was performed by cutting 2-cm-thick slices of sediments. The subsamples were then analysed for several physical and chemical parameters. Sedimentation rate was assessed by measuring short-lived radionuclides (excess 210Pb and 137Cs). Pre-mining levels of As-Hg-Sb were observed at core depths below 50 cm. In the less extended salt marsh (eastern river bank), maximum As-Hg-Sb concentrations of 87.48, 3.66, and 5.75 µg·g-1, respectively, were found at the core top as a consequence of long-term mining activity in the area. The vertical distribution of As-Hg-Sb was influenced by the single-point contamination sources, whereas grain-size variability and diagenetic remobilisation did not seem affected. Geochronological measurements showed that the depositional fluxes of As-Hg-Sb were influenced by anthropogenic input after 1900, when mining activity in the area was most intense. Hg mining ceased in 1969; however, the corresponding core profiles did not show a drastic decreasing trend in element fluxes, implying that the river drainage basin retains some "memory" of contamination which affects riverine sediments. A preliminary gross estimation of total As-Hg-Sb "trapped" in the Nalón river salt marsh sediments amounted to approximately 18.7, 1.0, and 0.7 t, respectively. These morphological structures suffer erosive processes, thus representing a potential source of these elements associated with sediments; consequently, management conservation and monitoring of salt marshes should be taken into consideration from this environmental point of view.

Mobility of metal(loid)s at the sediment-water interface in two tourist port areas of the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea).

One of the main environmental issues affecting coastal marine environments is the accumulation of contaminants in sediments and their potential mobility. In situ benthic chamber experiments were conducted at two tourist ports (marinas) located in the Gulf of Trieste, one in Slovenia and one in Italy. The aim was to understand if and where recycling at the sediment-water interface (SWI) may affect metal(loid)s. Short sediment cores were also collected near the chamber to investigate the solid (sediments) and dissolved phases (porewaters). Both diffusive and benthic fluxes were estimated to elucidate the release of metal(loid)s at the SWI. Total element concentrations and their labile fractions were determined in sediments to quantify their potential mobility. The total element contents were found to be two orders of magnitude higher in the Italian marina than in the Slovenian one, especially for Hg (up to 1000 mg kg-1), whereas the labile fraction was scarce or null. The opposite occurred in the Slovenian marina. Metal(loid)s in porewaters showed a clear diagenetic sequence and a close dependence upon the suboxic/anoxic conditions of sediments. The results suggest that although the sediments of the Italian marina exhibit the highest total metal(loid) concentration, these elements are scarcely remobilisable. Conversely, in the Slovenian marina, sediments seem to be comparatively more prone to release metal(loid)s at the SWI.