Pollutant loads from the drainage basin to the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

In order to assess the actual pollutant loads from the drainage basin, the twelve major tributaries of the Venice Lagoon were monitored and studied in the period 1998-2000 in the framework of the DRAIN project. A specific sampling scheme was designed to investigate the effects of the different regimes, including floods, in the transport of total and dissolved metals, nitrogen and phosphorous species as well as organic micropollutants. The loads were calculated from data collected during the year of 1999, since this year displayed a value close to the mean in terms of the distribution of total rainfall on the drainage basin. The annual values for the different pollutants are reported and discussed. A comparison with the estimates of previous investigations highlights the significant advancement provided by the DRAIN project results in the understanding of the drainage basin contribution to the pollution of the lagoon. Finally, the importance of flood events on the overall balance of materials and pollutants delivered to the lagoon is emphasized.     

Atmospheric bulk deposition to the Lagoon of Venice Part II. Source apportionment analysis near the industrial zone of Porto Marghera, Italy

Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to measurements of atmospheric deposition of total particulate (TSP), inorganic elements (Al, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Si, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, V and S) and organic compounds (PAH, PCB, HCB and PCDD/F) collected in four stations, all located in the Lagoon of Venice. Aerosols at the scale of the basin (i.e., within a distance of 20 km) were mainly characterised by two end-members, one natural (composed of mineral particulate and marine spray) and one anthropogenic (with at least two different source components), affecting the sites in various ways. Variability at the two distant (>20 km) sites (Valle Dogà, Valle Figheri) was mainly due to natural components, whereas the other two stations (city of Venice, Dogaletto, approximately 5 km) were mainly impacted by industrial (and urban) sources. Total annual inputs were compared with the limits recently set by law (maximum allowed discharge=MAD). In the year of study, MAD values were exceeded for total As, Cd, Hg, Pb, dissolved Zn, PAH and PCDD/F. These results indicate that industrial sources gave rise to a quasi-permanent compositional (background) effect near the industrial area. The risk associated with atmospheric deposition should be quantified within the DSPIR framework to avoid future negative consequences in populations living in the vicinity of Porto Marghera.     

Objectives and structure of the DRAIN project: an extensive study of the delivery from the drainage basin of the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

The Venice Lagoon and its drainage basin form a vast system, where historical and recent cities, large and medium-small industrial districts and intensive agricultural activities coexist within a peculiar environment. The drainage basin constituted of an ensemble of tributary sub-basins with contrasting characteristics and freshwater fluxes; the hydraulic pathways are generally complex and not univocally established. With the main objectives to measure the annual freshwater discharge into the Venice Lagoon and to estimate the related load of pollutants, an intense field activity was carried out in the ambit of the DRAIN project. The 12 main tributaries of the drainage basin were monitored for more than 2 years (1998-2000), obtaining a relevant data set of hydrodynamic, physico-chemical and chemical data. Integrative investigations were also developed in a multidisciplinary approach, covering the existing knowledge gaps on the hydrology and behaviour of such a complex system. The paper describes the characteristics of the system, the selected approach to investigate it, and the main project outcomes.     

Freshwater discharge from the drainage basin to the Venice Lagoon (Italy)

The twelve major tributaries of the Venice Lagoon (accounting for the 97% of the inputs from the drainage basin) were monitored in the framework of the DRAIN project (1998-2000) in order to obtain a detailed knowledge on the hydrological regimes and to measure the mean annual freshwater discharge from surface runoff. The study represents an essential step in the estimate of the pollutant load delivered to the lagoon that must necessarily be based on a solid understanding of the fluxes of material out of the drainage basin. Due to the influence of the tide in the majority of the gauging sections, a specific methodology for the measurement of the discharge was developed. The main results of the study are described, underlining the differences in the regime of the investigated streams. A rainfall-runoff analysis evidenced the different characteristics of the monitored tributaries, in terms of specific hydrological features, morphology of the individual sub-basins, management of the water resource and spatial distribution of rainfall. An estimate of the maximum peak discharge from the drainage basin is finally obtained from data of an extreme flood event occurred in November 1999.     

Characterisation of heavy metal discharge into the Ria of Huelva

The Ria of Huelva estuary, in SW Spain, is known to be one of the most heavy metal contaminated estuaries in the world. River contribution to the estuary of dissolved Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and As were analysed for the period 1988-2001. The obtained mean values show that this contribution, both because of the magnitude of total metals (895.1 kg/h), composition, toxicity (8.7 kg/h of As+Cd+Pb) and persistence, is an incomparable case in heavy metal contamination of estuaries. The amount and typology of heavy metal discharge to the Ria of Huelva are related to freshwater flow (and, consequently, to rainfall); as a result, two different types of heavy metal discharge can be distinguished in the estuary: during low water (50% of the days), with only 19.3 kg/h of heavy metals, and during high water or flood (17% of the days), where daily maximum discharge of 72,475 kg of heavy metals were recorded, from which 1481 kg were of As, 470 kg of Pb, and 170 kg of Cd. In the most frequent situation (77% of the days), the Odiel River discharges from 90% to 100% of the freshwater received by the estuary. Despite this, the high concentration of heavy metals in the Tinto River water causes this river to discharge into the Ria of Huelva 12.5% of fluvial total dissolved metal load received by the estuary.     

Atmospheric bulk deposition to the lagoon of Venice Part I. Fluxes of metals, nutrients and organic contaminants

First available data on atmospheric fall-out were provided by sampling monthly bulk depositions in four sites inside the Lagoon of Venice (550 km2). Sampling was carried out monthly during the period July 1998-July 1999, in one site near an industrial area (Porto Marghera; site D), another site in the city of Venice (site A), and the remaining two in the southern- and northernmost ends of the Lagoon (Valle Figheri, site C; Valle Dogà site B). The following determinations were carried out for each samples: pH, conductivity, grain-size, particulate load, and dissolved nutrients (N, P). Samples were then subdivided into soluble and insoluble fractions, and Al, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Si, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Ti, V, S, P, Se and Sb were analysed on both fractions. Total organic micropollutants (PAH, PCB, HCB, DDT, PCDD/F) were measured. As regards particle size distribution, there was great variability among sampling sites. The percentage of the < or =2 microm grain-size fraction was higher in the southern and northern ends of the Lagoon. Small differences were found among sites for major elements, whereas higher variability was observed for inorganic and organic micropollutants, with standard deviations between 20% and 60% of the fluxes measured. Major differences in annual fluxes between the most polluted sites (mostly D and A) and background (site B) were seen for Cd (0.26 vs. 0.06 mg m(-2) year(-1)), Hg (41 vs. 15 microg m(-2) year(-1)), PCB ( approximately 2500 vs. approximately 500 ng m(-2) year(-1)) and HCB ( approximately 8000 vs. approximately 1000 ng m(-2) year(-1)). Comparisons with previous data, collected in the periods 1993-1994 and 1995-1997, were only available for a few trace metals. A definite decline in the annual Pb flux in the city of Venice was detected, from 18 to 13 mg m(-2) in 1996/1997 and 1995/1996 respectively, to approximately 5 mg m(-2) in the present study. Total annual deposition was calculated by means of two different methods, which gave very similar results: (i) the mean value of deposition in the four sites was multiplied by lagoon area (550 km2); (ii) the monthly rain isopleths were combined to normalize deposition values. The figures are: 15-34 kg of Hg and Sb, approximately 200 kg of As, approximately 100 kg of Cd and PAH, 0.7-1.3 tons of Cr, Ni and V, more than 2 tons of Cu and Pb, 17 of Zn, 55 of total P, approximately 200 of Al, and 3900 of DIN. Total fluxes of organics inside the lagoon were: PAH approximately 100 kg; HCB approximately 1 kg; DDT approximately 0.4 kg. PCB and PCDD/F fluxes were approximately 500 g and approximately 10 g, corresponding respectively to 0.1 and 0.4 g I-TE. The correlations between fluxes of inorganic micropollutants and grain-size were significant. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to investigate more accurately relationships between the insoluble and dissolved fractions of inorganic micropollutants and grain-size fractions. In particular, significant correlations were highlighted between the dissolved fraction of As and the < or =1 mum particle size fraction. Relations between levels of SigmaPCDDF, SigmaPCDD, PCB and PAH congeners and grain-size revealed significant correlation coefficients for the remote sites (B, C), and none in the urban and industrial sites (A, D). In particular, significant correlations were highlighted between SigmaPCDDF, SigmaPCDD and particle size fraction < or =2 mum, and between benzo(a)pyrene and PCB 167 and particle size fraction 4-8 mum.     

Heavy metals in organisms and sediments from Turkish Coast of the Black Sea, 1997-1998

During the period 1997-1998, macroalgae, sea snail, mussel, fish and sediment samples were collected at different stations of the Turkish Black Sea coast in order to establish the concentration of selected heavy metals. Heavy metals analyzed were Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cu. The results showed that the Turkish Black Sea coast is facing heavy metal pollution. The metal concentrations in macroalgae, sea snail, mussel and sediment samples are very high. However, Cd, Pb and Cu concentrations in anchovy fish decreased, while Co, Fe, Zn, Cr, Mn and Ni contents had changed when compared previous data. The metal levels in macroalgae did not follow the same pattern as concentrations in sediments at the same station. On the other hand, concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in sea snail, mussel and fish samples were related to sediment data in the examined stations.     

经济发达县域耕地土壤重金属污染评价及其影响因素分析——以江苏省昆山市为例

通过对昆山市14个区镇91个土壤样品中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Ni、Hg、Zn 8种重金属测定分析,对该市耕地土壤重金属污染进行评价并进行重金属污染的影响因素分析.结果表明,昆山市耕地土壤存在不同程度的轻微污染,重金属Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Hg、Zn均超过国家土壤背景值,旱地、水田中均以Hg污染范围较广、变异系数较大.综合污染指数表现为水田(1.15)＞旱地(1.00).区镇耕地重金属污染评价表明千灯、陆扬、石浦、锦溪、石牌处于警戒值之内,蓬朗、周庄、张浦、正仪、周市、巴城、淀山湖、花桥、陆家轻度污染;昆山市耕地土壤中重金属元素均未超过土壤环境基本容量,能够保证作物品质和农业持续发展.同时,研究表明区域重金属轻微污染具有复合污染的特性,Cd、Pb相关性最高(P=0.621 0), Pb与Hg、Cu、Zn、Cu与Cr也有相关性(0.438 7、0.426 0、0.350 9、0.394 0),区域重金属的轻微污染受人为因素影响显著,研究指出应加强对区域优先控制污染物Hg、次优先控制污染物Pb、Cd、Zn、Cu、Cr的控制与治理.     

Heavy metals in water, sediments, plants and fish of Kali Nadi U.P. (India)

The distribution of heavy metals viz., Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in the water, sediments, plants and fish samples collected from the Kali Nadi (India) have been determined. The studies have shown that there was considerable variation in the concentration of heavy metals from one sampling station to the other which may be due to the variation in the quality of industrial and sewage wastes being added to the river at different places. The orders of the concentration of heavy metals in water, sediments, plants (Eicchornia crassipes) and fish (Heteropnuestes fossilis) were Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd; Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Cr > Co > Cu > Pb > Cd; Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Co > Pb > Cr > Cd and Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Pb > Co > Cr > Cu > Cd, respectively.     

Partitioning of metals in sediments from the Odiel River (Spain)

The Odiel River runs through an area known as the Iberian pyrite belt in the province of Huelva in the southwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Its waters are acidic and contain large amounts of heavy metals from erosion and mining activity. In addition, the Odiel River estuary is one of the most industrialized areas in southern Spain and, consequently, receives the discharge of industrial and urban waste. Seventeen sediment samples from the Odiel and its main tributaries were analyzed for this study. The chemical partitioning of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr and Co) in each sample was determined in four fractions (acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable and residual). The total content of each of the metals was also determined. The results showed high concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, undoubtedly as a result of contamination from the mining and industrial activity mentioned above. However, the concentrations of the other metals analyzed were low since there are no sources of pollution by them in the Odiel River. Based on the chemical distribution of metals, we found that Cd, Zn and Cu are the most mobile metals (i.e., metals that can pass easily into the water under changing environmental conditions). Cd is the metal that showed the highest percentages in the acid-soluble fraction (the most labile) and the lowest in the residual fraction. However, Pb, Fe, Cr and Ni are present in the greatest percentages in the residual fraction, which implies that these metals are strongly linked to the sediments.     

江苏省浅水湖泊表层沉积物中重金属污染特征及其风险评价

为揭示江苏省浅水湖泊表层沉积物重金属污染特征,采集江苏省8个浅水湖泊的表层沉积物,测定了8种重金属的含量,并利用地积累指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对沉积物重金属的污染现状以及潜在生态风险程度进行评价。结果表明:江苏省8个浅水湖泊表层沉积物中Mn、Zn、Cr、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Pb的平均含量分别为634~1 031、66~138、76.0~97.5、39.2~56.3、25.2~50.1、9.9~27.1、0.15~2.98、24.6~51.6mg/kg。地积累指数法评价结果表明,Cd是江苏省8个浅水湖泊表层沉积物中最主要的污染物,Zn、Cu、As、Pb、Ni在一些湖泊为轻度污染,Mn和Cr处于无污染水平。Hkanson潜在生态风险指数法评价结果显示,各湖泊综合潜在生态风险程度的高低顺序为:长荡湖石臼湖白马湖滆湖高邮湖洪泽湖澄湖骆马湖,长荡湖达到严重生态风险水平,石臼湖存在重生态风险,白马湖与滆湖处在中等生态风险水平,而骆马湖、洪泽湖、高邮湖以及澄湖重金属污染则处于低生态风险水平。     

经济发达县域耕地土壤重金属污染评价及其影响因素分析

通过对昆山市14个区镇91个土壤样品中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Ni、Hg、Zn 8种重金属测定分析，对该市耕地土壤重金属污染进行评价并进行重金属污染的影响因素分析。结果表明，昆山市耕地土壤存在不同程度的轻微污染，重金属Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Hg、Zn均超过国家土壤背景值，旱地、水田中均以Hg污染范围较广、变异系数较大。综合污染指数表现为水田（115）>旱地（100）。区镇耕地重金属污染评价表明千灯、陆扬、石浦、锦溪、石牌处于警戒值之内，蓬朗、周庄、张浦、正仪、周市、巴城、淀山湖、花桥、陆家轻度污染；昆山市耕地土壤中重金属元素均未超过土壤环境基本容量，能够保证作物品质和农业持续发展。同时，研究表明区域重金属轻微污染具有复合污染的特性，Cd、Pb相关性最高(〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗=0621 0)， Pb与Hg、Cu、Zn、Cu与Cr也有相关性（0438 7、0426 0、0350 9、0394 0），区域重金属的轻微污染受人为因素影响显著，研究指出应加强对区域优先控制污染物Hg、次优先控制污染物Pb、Cd、Zn、Cu、Cr的控制与治理。     

水体悬移质对重金属吸附规律研究 ——以长江宜昌段为例

随着长江三峡工程的建设,上游来水的流速在坝区附近减缓,随江水而下的大量泥沙在此沉淀,将使坝下（长江中下游）水中的悬移质浓度降低、粒径改变 ,从而改变水环境容量。利用长江宜昌江段的周年悬移质样及水样,研究了悬移质对重金属（铜、锌、铅、镉及铬）的吸附特征。结果表明,悬移质对上述金属的吸附可用Freundlich型及Langmuir型等温式较好进行拟合;当较高浓度的金属污染物排入江水后,在吸附及沉淀的共同作用下,浓度明显降低;单位悬移质的吸附量随悬移质浓度降低而上升,但总吸附量降低,从而导致水中的金属污染物的平衡浓度升高。所得结果为预测水环境容量提供了依据。     

江阴市典型河流沉积物重金属污染和风险评价

在摸清河流表层沉积物重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As)含量的基础上,利用综合污染指数和地累积指数评价其污染状况,计算潜在生态风险和人体健康风险。结果表明,江阴市河流沉积物已经受到重金属污染企业和城市径流双重影响,Cu、Zn、Pb峰值在汛期,As、Cr峰值在非汛期;污染负荷指数和地累积指数评价结果显示非汛期污染略轻,地累积指数法引入背景波动参数而使其评价结果较乐观。重金属潜在生态风险都为轻微风险级别;致癌风险处于10~(-3)数量级,非致癌风险数量级为10~(-7),致癌风险为人体健康风险主要承担者。潜在生态风险汛期高,人体健康风险非汛期高,这可能是重金属元素对致癌风险以及生态风险的贡献不同所致。     

天沙河沉积物中重金属污染特征与生态风险评价

采集天沙河表层沉积物,检测其中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb 6种重金属的含量,分别采用内梅罗指数法(NI)、地累积指数法、Hakanson生态风险指数法和淡水生态系统沉积物基准法(SQGs)对沉积物中重金属污染的特征和生态风险进行评价,并对几种评价方法进行比较。结果表明：鉴于各采样点重金属的污染特征,采用内梅罗指数法和Hakanson生态风险指数法所得结果一致,杜阮河段、白沙河段及天沙河上游污染较严重,天沙河中下游污染程度相对较低;就各重金属的污染特征而言,采用地累积指数法和Hakanson生态风险指数法所得结果基本一致,Cd和Cu污染较严重,其次是Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr;而采用SQGs法的风险评价与其它方法所得结果存在一定差异,其主要原因是SQGs法基于污染物的生物毒性效应,而其他方法多反映单一重金属污染效应或多种重金属综合污染效应     

Heavy metal contamination of brown seaweed and sediments from the UK coastline between the Wear river and the Tees river

The concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Ag were determined in the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus and intertidal surface sediments from coastal locations of northeast England. Levels of heavy metals similar to those of polluted areas of the British coastline were detected. There is evidence of contamination (especially with Zn and Pb) in sediments from sites affected by colliery spoil and from the Wear estuary. The pelitic fraction ( < 63 microm) is usually more enriched in heavy metals, but it represents a very small percentage of the bulk samples. The fine-grained sand is a very important repository of contaminants especially where particles of colliery spoil, secondary mineral, and amorphous phases are present. Aqua regia-extracted Zn, Cu, and Pb in sediments are significantly correlated with those in seaweed. Despite the closure of all base metal and coal mines, and the cessation of many industrial activities in the region, sediments and brown algae are contaminated with heavy metals. The control site (Holy Island) and the Tees estuary appear to be the least affected.     

Aeolian contributions of trace metals to marine sediments of Kuwait

Concentrations of silver, cadmium, chromium, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, vanadium, and zinc were determined in dust fallout samples from eight inland locations in Kuwait. Results were used to calculate enrichment factors for metals relative to their abundance in the continental crust using Fe as the conservative element. Five metals (Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, and V) showed enrichment factors that were approximately unity (1.3–4.7). Higher enrichment factors for the rest (24–421) suggested an anthropogenic contribution for Ag, Cd, Pb, and Zn. However, all metals in dust fallout (except Pb and Zn) showed a degree of enrichment relative to unpolluted marine sediments that was approximately unity, suggesting a substantial aeolian contribution to trace metals in marine surface sediments. Higher enrichments for Pb and Zn probably reflect a larger input from local pollution sources. This is particularly true for lead, the enrichment of which showed a stronger association with the distribution of urban population. Probable contributions of aeolian transport to a band of elevated lead concentrations in marine surface sediments are discussed.     

南昌市街道灰尘重金属时空分布特征及健康风险评估

分析了南昌市夏季和冬季街道104个灰尘样品中的V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd和Pb含量，并利用地积累指数（Igeo）计算其污染程度，并参考美国国家环保局(US EPA)推荐的健康风险模型评价灰尘重金属暴露的人体致癌和非致癌风险，通过主成分和相关分析识别南昌市灰尘重金属的可能来源。结果表明：南昌市街道灰尘中重金属Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb含量均显著高于江西省土壤背景值，而V、Co和As含量与江西省土壤背景值含量相近。重金属V、Co和As含量无显著季节差异，但冬夏季节含量的空间异质性较高，而Cu在季节和空间分布上均表现出显著的季节差异，其它重金属的高值区均分布在南昌市中心及老工业园附近；Igeo结果表明Cd、Cu、Zn和Cr的污染程度相对较高，而V、As和Co污染程度较轻；重金属3种暴露途径的风险排序为手-口暴露>皮肤接触暴露>呼吸暴露，其中儿童会遭受更大的非致癌风险。除了灰尘As和Cr对儿童的暴露在局部区域HQ和HI值大于1，其它重金属对不同人群的HQ和HI值均小于1。总体而言，南昌市灰尘重金属的致癌风险CR均在安全阈值范围内，大小排序为Cr > As > Co > Ni > Cd。南昌市灰尘重金属的来源广泛，其中As、Co和V主要来源于岩石风化，其它重金属元素主要来源于交通和工业等人类活动。 关键词： 街道灰尘；重金属；时空分布；健康风险；南昌市     

三峡库区土壤重金属污染评价及其来源

三峡库区由于特殊的地理位置及生态脆弱性，其重金属污染状况备受关注。以三峡库区重庆段为研究区域，利用多目标调查数据，在分析土壤中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Hg、Pb和Zn等8种重金属积累特征的基础上，运用多元统计分析、污染指数法、潜在生态风险评估法以及层次分析法与加权平均评价模型法等方法进行了重金属来源分析和污染评价。研究结果表明: 三峡库区重庆段表层土壤中8种重金属的平均含量顺序为：Cr（8145 mg·kg-1）>Zn（716 mg·kg-1）>Ni（3154 mg·kg-1）>Pb（2527 mg·kg-1）>Cu（2353 mg·kg-1）>As（739 mg·kg-1）>Cd（021 mg·kg-1）>Hg（006 mg·kg-1）；多元统计分析表明Cd和Cr含量主要受到人为活动的影响，Ni、Zn和Cu含量则主要受到区域地质背景的影响，Hg、Pb和As则受到两者的共同影响。各综合评价方法结果趋于一致，均表明大部分样品（>849%）的重金属污染水平属于清洁或轻度污染水平，只有少数样品（<151%）达到中度或重度污染水平，这些样品主要采集于巫山、涪陵、忠县境内。综合分析，认为忠县和涪陵境内土壤出现中度或重度重金属污染主要受其工业生产的影响，巫山境内则主要受到其成土母质的影响。研究结果可为三峡库区土地可持续利用和生态发展提供基础数据与理论依据     

Statistical comparison and correlation of zinc and lead in estuarine sediments along the western coast of Mauritius

Cr, Zn and Pb were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) from urban and rural estuarine sediments collected along the western coast of Mauritius during the period July 2002-January 2003. The mean concentration of Cr (225.4 mg kg(-1)), Zn (107.0 mg kg(-1)) and Pb (27.0 mg kg(-1)) in sediments along the six estuaries can be considered below those from contaminated estuarine sediments. Zn and Pb were significantly higher in urban sediments downstream St. Louis River compared to a rural estuary at Tamarin at 5% significance level. Zn was also significantly lower in Tamarin compared to Petite Riviere Noire estuary. Cr was however not significantly different in sediments from the six estuaries and could be considered of basaltic origin and were correlated to neither lead nor zinc. The concentration of Zn and Pb were greatest in the more urbanised upper and lower reaches of the St. Louis estuary during the period of study and were also significantly positively correlated in the estuarine sediments indicating that the cycling of Pb and Zn were linked indicating a common source for Pb and Zn. The potential sources of Pb and Zn in the urban estuarine sediments were considered to arise from road runoff causing significant quantities to be trapped. At present, compared to contaminant levels found in the UK and elsewhere, Mauritius still looks relatively uncontaminated but there is growing concern about heavy metal contamination in urban estuaries. There is therefore a need for long-term studies in estuarine management to involve integrated strategies in which water-sediment interactions in estuaries need to be considered and international standards for sediment quality developed. Such studies undertaken in the future would further the understanding of the biogeochemical processes of estuarine systems in Mauritius which could then be used in environmental development schemes and effective coastal zone management.