Figure 1.
Location of the Schelde estuary (A) and the study area (CRT) within the estuary (B).
Figure 2.
Detailed map of the study area.
Sampling locations for the subtidal samples, tidal flat and tidal marsh samples along a transect and the location of the CRT.
Figure 3.
Grain size and metal concentrations in the different zones of the estuary.
Grain size in winter (A), summer (B), organic matter (C) and metal concentrations (D–K) in estuarine sediments. For OM and metal concentrations: black for winter, white for summer. Average values with standard deviation for subtidal (n = 4, only winter) and restored marsh (CRT, n = 16) sediments.
Table 1.
Average metal concentrations (µg g−1) and sediment characteristics (% dw) in the different areas for winter and summer.
Table 2.
Correlation coefficients (R-values) between the different metals and sediment characteristics.
Figure 4.
Sediment and metal deposition.
Box plots (median, 25th, 75th percentile and standard deviation) of seasonal difference in deposited sediments (A) and deposited Cd (B) in a tidal marsh and restored marsh (CRT).
Figure 5.
Modeled Cd deposition in a developping marsh.
Modeled evolution of marsh elevation and Cd deposition. Elevation of the marsh and mean high water level (MHWL), both in m TAW (Belgian reference height) on the left Y-axis. Cd deposition (µg cm−2 a−1) on the right Y-axis.
Table 3.
Average metal concentrations (µg g−1), calculated metal deposition per surface unit (µg cm−2 y−1) and estimated total accumulated metals in the different zones of the Schelde estuary (103 kg y−1).
Table 4.
Estimated input and output of trace metals in the Schelde estuary (103 kg y−1), based on literature and own calculations (aBaeyens et al. (1997) [6]; bDe Smedt et al. (1997) [8]; cBaeyens et al. (2005) [38]; dThis study).