Radiotracer estimates of benthic activity effects on trace metal diffusion into mangrove sediments

Potential influences of the whole benthic organismsʹ activity (i.e., coupled faunal and microbial effects) on 58Co, 51Cr and 65Zn diffusion into surface mangrove sediment layers (0–6 cm depth) were evaluated in 36 h experiments. Benthic activity indices (BAI) were proposed, calculated as the relative percent difference between untreated sediments and formaldehyde-treated sediments data in relation to untreated sediments data. Benthic activity was estimated as responsible for 32%–44% of total inventories within sediments, being the chromate anion spiked the less affected radiotracer, while 65Zn was the most sensitive. Benthic activity was quantitatively evidenced as a control on trace metal diffusion into the sediments, contributing to determine the sediment role as a metal sink. This influence can also affect metal potential bioavailability, considering that recently diffused metals can be more readily available to biological uptake.