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365279 
Journal Article 
Spatial distribution and bonding forms of heavy metals in sediments along the middle course of the River Elbe (km 287c390) 
Veen, A; Ahlers, C; Zachmann, DW; Friese, K 
2006 
Yes 
Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica
ISSN: 0323-4320
EISSN: 1521-401X 
WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH 
WEINHEIM 
34 
214-222 
German 
Sediments of eight groyne fields along the middle course of the River Elbe (river km 287c390) were geochemically studied. The 78 sediment samples were analysed for pH and grain size distribution. The grain size fraction <2 µm was used for mineralogical and chemical analysis: semiquantitative clay mineral analysis; total element content (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), total inorganic and organic C, and bonding form fractionation with a six-step sequential chemical extraction. The latter was performed on selected samples (n=32). The sediments along the Elbe's course are still contaminated with heavy metals far above the local geogenic background level. An enrichment factor of more than 15 was calculated for zinc. Cr and Ni are the elements with the lowest enrichment. The bonding form analysis of selected heavy metals shows a dominance of relatively immobile bonding forms, e. g. the moderately reducible and the residual fraction, which implies a relative low mobility potential. Only Zn poses a higher potential threat to the environment, since it has a higher percentage of the first three extracted phases: adsorbed, carbonate, and easily reducible fraction. 
aluminium; cadmium; calcium; chromium; copper; heavy metals; iron; lead; manganese; nickel; organic carbon; particle size distribution; pH; potassium; rivers; sediment; spatial distribution; zinc; Germany; Western Europe; Europe; Developed Countries; European Union Countries; OECD Countries; aluminum; hydrogen ion concentration; Mn; polluted sediments; potential of hydrogen; Water Resources (PP200); Pollution and Degradation (PP600); Industrial Wastes and Effluents (XX400)