*3.4. Statistical Analyses*

Statistically significant differences of metal concentrations (dissolved and particulate) among the three sectors of the system, i.e., the inlets, the inner part of the lagoon and the freshwater spring, were explored by independent *t*-test on log transformed values to correct for departure from normality. The relationships among the considered variables were tested by using non-parametric Spearman coefficient. A probability level below < 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Statistical analyses were carried out using the IBM SPSS software v. 21.0 (IBM corp, Armonk, NY, USA).
