Joselyn Jimenez (PhD)

Behavior of ETMs in the surface sediments of the Gulf of Morbihan and the Bay of Quiberon : Spatial distribution, speciation, bioavailability and relation to sediments of ports and rivers.

Abstract

Surface sediments in the Gulf of Morbihan and the Bay of Quiberon were analyzed in order to characterize the trace metals elements, their behavior, the processes that control their spatial distribution, their speciation, reactivity and bioavailability. Potential sources of metals were looked for, based on the analysis of nearby harbors and river basin’s sediments. The analyses were done on the fraction below 63 µm of the sediments collected in April 2013. MTEs total concentration and speciation were obtained from total and selective attacks, respectively.The enrichment of Zn, Cu, Cd et Pb was identified in the surface sediments of the Gulf of Morbihan. Pb lability and bioavailability were shown in the sediments of the Bay of Quiberon. The MTEs behavior of the Morbihan’s coast is mostly controlled by the land-sea gradient. However, harbors and rivers form sources of ETMs, principally of Cu and Zn.

Supervisors
David Menier

Members of the jury
Évelyne Goubert
François Chabaux
Alexandra Coynel
José Borrego Flores

Rapporteurs
Christophe Hémond

Keywords
TMEs (Trace Metallic Elements)
Speciation
Biodisponibility
Estuarian sediments
Metal content
Sea
Metal pollution
France
Bay of Quiberon