Elemental composition of intertidal shellfish sandbanks sediment samples within Ría de Arousa, Spain

Abstract

The GEOMA Research group from the University of Vigo implements a solution to improve the knowledge of the sediment dynamics, the stability of the ecosystem substratum, and its response to the predicted Climate Change outcome (INTERM). The INTERM solution is based on sedimentological monitoring of sandbanks at specific locations of clam exploitation in the Ría de Arousa (Pontevedra, Spain).  Here we show the results of X-ray Fluorescence analysis carried out on the bulk fraction of sediment samples collected in five locations with current (Camaxe, Xastelas, O Sarrido, and O Bohido) or stopped (Lombos de Ulla) shellfish activity. The analyses were conducted at the CACTI facilities (Uvigo) using an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer by Wave Scattering (Siemens SRS3000). This study is part of the “Accelerating and upscaling transformational adaptation in Europe: demonstration of water-related innovation packages (TRANSFORMAR)” coordinated by the Universiteit Antwerpen and funded by the European Union’s Horizon program (H2020_101036683).