METALS OF THE BOTTOM MUDS IN BELIZE CITY HARBOR, BELIZE

Seven bottom samples extending from the ocean up through Belize Harbor and City were acid leached (EPA method 200.7) and analyzed using indu ctively coupled plasma spectrometry to measure the bioavailability of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. Soil and environmental chemists would compare d ata to world averages of unpolluted soils, these samples were higher t han this average by a factor of 10 for Cd, 4 for Cu, 2. 7 for Zn and 2 .6 for Pb. Geochemists argue that it's hard to find unpolluted soil so their comparison is with world average of ancient (pre-man) shales an d the Belize samples were higher than this shale average by a factor o f 30 for Cd, 3.7 for Pb, 2.2 for Cu and 1.7 for Zn. Ecologists would a rgue that the metal effect on the biota is the correct way to analyze the data by using the biological effects toxicity method, and this way the samples were above the lower limit by a factor of 5.1 for Cd, 2.9 for Cu and 1.6 for Pb. By all three lines of reasoning, it can be con cluded that Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, in that order, pose environmental probl ems. Since this site is located in the middle of Belize Barrier Reef, a highly sensitive environmental area that is also economically import ant to Belize, it poses a critical problem that needs to be addressed further. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.