安徽省宣城市南部地区土壤重金属元素地球化学特征

利用1∶25万土地质量地球化学调查数据分析和研究了安徽省宣城市南部地区土壤中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn 8种重金属元素的地球化学特征以及重金属异常来源。调查发现地质背景是土壤元素含量的主控因素,调查区表、深层土壤重金属元素含量空间分布特征与地质背景、沉积环境表现出显著的空间一致性,重金属高含量成土母岩(荷塘组、皮园村组、蓝田组等地层)是土壤重金属元素高异常的主要影响因素,此外矿山开采、大气干湿沉降也是土壤重金属高异常的影响因素之一,土壤中Pb、Hg、Cd、Cr元素具有大气干湿沉降的输入来源。调查区土壤重金属污染风险主要影响指标为Cd,土壤Cd超过农用地土壤污染风险管制值的样品比例为2.56%,形态分析结果显示土壤Cd以离子交换态为主,结合农作物调查发现在土壤Cd高异常区存在一定的生态风险。     

广西象州与横县碳酸盐岩分布区土壤中Cd形态分布特征及影响因素

广西壮族自治区碳酸盐岩分布面积为96 372 km2,约占全区陆地国土面积的407%。由碳酸盐岩风化形成的土壤中Cd、Pb、Hg等重金属元素普遍富集。初步评价发现,农作物籽实对Cd的吸收量与土壤Cd含量无对应关系,农作物Cd超标多出现在土壤Cd含量较低的地区。进一步研究发现,Cd高含量的土壤中普遍含有铝土矿、Fe Mn结核等颗粒。为了探索土壤中Cd存在形态及其影响因素,选择了含铝土矿和铁锰结核的横县土壤和无铝土矿与铁锰结核的象州土壤,系统研究了土壤Cd形态差异及其影响因素。结果表明：(1)象州土壤中Cd主要以活动态形式存在,生物可利用性高,横县土壤中Cd主要以稳定态形式存在,生物可利用性低。(2)pH值为60是象州土壤Cd活动态含量的突变点,pH值在60处含量达到最大值;而在横县,pH降低使活动态Cd比例增加。(3)象州土壤中活动态Cd随有机质增加而增加,表明Cd被有机质弱吸附;而横县土壤有机质含量与Cd形态无明显相关性。(4)由铝土矿导致的土壤高Cd含量,多以残渣态形式存在,不会对动植物造成危害。     

中国西南典型地质背景区土壤重金属分布及生态风险特征

中国西南有22.3%的耕地重金属含量超标,区内广泛分布的峨眉山玄武岩和碳酸盐岩被认为是土壤中重金属的主要母质来源。目前,中国西南地区,尤其是峨眉山玄武岩分布区土壤重金属生态风险的研究程度仍有待提升,不同地质背景区(成土母岩)土壤中重金属含量、空间分布与生态风险缺乏对比。本文选择四川省典型地质背景区采集土壤样品,采用原子荧光光谱法、电感耦合等离子体质谱/发射光谱等方法测定重金属元素(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn)含量和pH数据,结合地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法,研究了重金属元素的含量、空间分布特征和土壤重金属生态风险。结果表明:(1)玄武岩区土壤中Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Zn的含量高于碳酸盐岩区,也高于四川和全国背景值。各元素含量分别为四川背景值的3.25、1.08、5.08、1.72、1.55、1.63倍和全国背景值的2.60、1.40、6.87、1.47、1.87、1.91倍;(2)As、Cr、Pb的高含量区域与碳酸盐岩分布区对应,Cd、Cu、Hg、Ni、Zn的高含量区域与峨眉山玄武岩的空间分布对应;(3)地累积指数表明玄武岩分布区土壤中Cd、Cu、Ni、Zn污染程度高于碳酸盐岩区;(4)研究区内生态危害程度较高的元素为Cd、Cu和Hg;其在玄武岩分布区"强生态危害"及以上的比例比碳酸盐岩区分别高出22.4%、1.15%和26.0%。本研究揭示:(1)研究区内土壤中重金属元素的含量、分布及生态风险与地质背景密切相关;(2)产生这一规律的原因在于母岩中元素含量的差异、成土过程中元素的地球化学行为及元素次生富集等因素综合作用的结果;(3)研究区土壤酸碱度偏低(pH平均值为5.5),需预防土壤进一步酸化引起的重金属活化风险。     

淮南新庄孜矿煤矸石充填复垦土壤中镉的迁移特征

镉（Cd）是严重危害人类健康的一种重金属元素,具有较强的生物毒性。为了保证矿区充填复垦土地种植农作物的生态安全,以淮南新庄孜矿煤矸石充填复垦治理区为对象,对其土壤和煤矸石中镉元素的含量进行了跟踪分析研究,结果表明,煤矸石充填复垦区土壤中垂直方向上各层镉元素含量均高于淮南市土壤背景值和中国土壤背景值,其中靠近填充物——煤矸石的土壤镉含量超标率最高,从土壤中镉元素的水平和垂直空间分布来看,复垦充填物——煤矸石因受淋溶作用造成的重金属元素的排放和迁移直接或间接污染了复垦土壤的生态环境,其中镉元素已经出现富集,甚至达到了污染水平。      

承德市富硒土壤区镉的地球化学特征及生态风险评价

硒是人体必需的生命元素,开发富硒农产品是提升人体硒摄入的安全有效途径,富硒土地资源是开发富硒农产品的基础。然而,近年来全国开展的多目标地球化学调查发现,富硒土壤中重金属元素镉通常较高,不利于富硒土地开发利用,因此,研究富硒土壤区镉的地球化学特征和生态风险状况对于富硒土地开发具有重要的指导意义。文章对承德市富硒土壤区表层土壤中主要的重金属元素镉的地球化学特征及生态风险进行评价,旨在为承德市富硒土地开发利用提供科学依据。采用“七步提取法”研究了表层土壤镉的形态特征。同时,配套分析了苹果、玉米样品中的重金属元素镉的含量,以了解其生物有效性。结果显示:承德市富硒土壤区表层土壤镉在全区均较富集,在新积土和中性粗骨土、水田中显著富集。研究区圈定了4处镉轻度污染土壤,均在表层土壤镉的高值区。表层土壤镉形态平均含量大小顺序为:水溶态 < 离子交换态 < 强有机结合态 < 腐殖酸结合态 < 铁锰氧化物结合态 < 碳酸盐结合态 < 残渣态,生态风险相对较低。表层土壤镉未对苹果和玉米样品产生影响,苹果和玉米中镉均不超标。承德市富硒土壤区表层土壤镉的生态风险较低,暂不影响承德市富硒土地开发利用。     

山东省东部地区农业生态地球化学调查及生态问题浅析

介绍了山东省东部地区农业生态地球化学调查、评价工作取得的一些基本成果和存在的生态地球化学问题。认为在表生作用或人类活动等因素影响下,表层土壤中Zn、Pb、Cu、Se、Cd、S、P、Hg、N、有机碳(OrgC)等元素或指标含量明显大于深层土壤;该区总体上地球化学环境质量优良,Ⅲ类和劣Ⅲ类土壤仅占全区总面积的0.13%,主要分布在矿集区和城镇周边,超标元素为Cd、Cr、Ni、Hg。浅层地下水大部分元素或指标处于自然低背景含量水平,部分水样的总硬度、溶解性总固体、NO2-、F-含量超标,已不适合饮用。该区存在的生态地球化学问题是:山地丘陵区土壤pH值低;沿海地带土地贫瘠;局部表层土壤重金属明显富集,已对农作物安全产生影响。认为人类活动(采金污染、城市化、工业化发展等)和自然地质背景作用是引起该研究区局部土壤重金属富集的重要原因。     

三峡库区澎溪河消落带土壤中重金属形态分布与迁移特征研究

消落带是水域与陆地的过渡地带,对水环境有着至关重要的影响。本文以三峡库区消落带面积最大的澎溪河流域作为研究区域,采集消落带土壤及其沿岸土壤样品,分析重金属形态分布特征,并使用地质累积指数法和风险评价准则(RAC)对重金属污染程度及生态风险进行评价。研究表明,消落带土壤中Pb、Cu、Cr、Cd、Zn和Ni平均含量分别为68.70、36.96、55.10、0.68、108.26、31.68 mg/kg,污染程度依次为CdPbZnCuNiCr,以Cd和Pb污染较为突出,普遍高于长江干流土壤,远高于重庆地区土壤。Cd的RAC值为20.62%,呈中等环境风险;其形态稳定性最差,以可还原态和酸提取态为主。Pb、Cu、Cr、Zn、Ni的RAC值为5.45%~10.0%,环境风险较低;且均以残渣态为主,占总量的54.69%~83.05%。以消落带沿岸土壤为对照,消落带形成后土壤中各重金属总量均有不同程度升高,且不同重金属在其增量部分的形态存在差异,Cr和Ni的增量部分以残渣态为主,Cd、Pb、Zn的增量以非残渣态为主。研究发现,由于受到水域与陆地污染源的双重影响,澎溪河流域重金属具有由沿岸向消落带沉积富集的趋势。     

Spatial distribution, source identification and affecting factors of heavy metals contamination in urban–suburban soils of Lishui city, China

An investigation on spatial distribution, possible pollution sources, and affecting factors of heavy metals in the urban–suburban soils of Lishui city (China) was conducted using geographic information system (GIS) technique and multivariate statistics. The results indicated that the topsoils in urban and suburban areas were enriched with metals, such as Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Spatial distribution maps of heavy metal contents, based on geostatistical analysis and GIS mapping, indicated that Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn had similar patterns of spatial distribution. Their hot-spot areas were mainly concentrated in the densely populated old urban area of the city. Multivariate statistical analysis (correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and clustering analysis) showed distinctly different associations among the studied metals, suggesting that Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Zn had anthropogenic sources, whereas Co and V were associated with parent materials and therefore had natural sources. The Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents were positively correlated with soil organic matter, pH, and sand content (p < 0.01). It is concluded that GIS and multivariate statistical methods can be used to identify hot-spot areas and potential sources of heavy metals, and assess soil environment quality in urban–suburban areas.     

云南省宣威市农耕区土壤重金属元素分布影响因素及生态风险评价

为探究云南省碳酸盐岩风化区重金属污染特征及分布影响因素,选取云南省宣威市农垦区为研究对象,利用1:5万土地质量地球化学调查成果,通过分析表层土壤重金属元素累积特征及分布规律,并结合土壤理化性质及地形因素等数据,研究驱动农垦区土壤重金属元素富集的影响因素,并利用富集指数法(EF)和潜在生态风险评价(RI)进行污染评价.结...     

山东省东部地区农业生态地球化学调查与评价

介绍了山东省东部地区农业生态地球化学调查与评价工作取得的一些基本成果以及该区存在的生态地球化学问题。调查与评价结果显示,Zn,Pb,Cu,Se,Cd,S,P,Hg,N,OrgC等元素或指标在表生作用或人类活动等因素影响下,使表层土壤含量明显大于深层;总体上该区地球化学环境质量优良,Ⅲ类和劣Ⅲ类土壤仅占全区总面积的0.13%,主要分布在矿集区和城镇周边,主要污染元素为Cd,Cr,Ni,Hg。浅层地下水大部分元素或指标处于自然低背景含量状态,部分水样总硬度超标,溶解性总固体、NO2-和F-等超标,已不适合饮用。该区存在的生态地球化学问题有：①山地丘陵区土壤pH值低,且表层土壤具有向强酸、强碱两极化发展的趋势,易引起重金属元素活化,危害人类健康;②沿海地带土地贫瘠,N,P和有机质等营养水平多属缺乏级;③莱州-烟台和牟平-乳山矿集区以及人口密集的城镇地带表层土壤Hg,Cd,Pb,Zn,Se,S等元素污染严重。地质高背景、酸性的表生环境和工业污染的共同作用,是造成环境中重金属元素含量较高的主要原因。     

典型内陆湖泊沉积物氮、磷和重金属分布特征及生态风险评价——以武汉市武湖为例

城市内陆型湖泊湿地对城市生态系统具有重要的作用。以武汉市武湖为例,采用数理统计、营养盐指数、地累积指数和潜在生态风险指数等方法,对武湖表层沉积物中的氮、磷、有机质和重金属的平面分布特征、影响因素、富集污染程度、生态风险进行评价。结果表明: 武湖西北部表层沉积物中总氮、总磷和有机质的含量明显高于东南部,武湖周边地表径流和农田是营养元素的主要来源,旱地较水田有利于沉积物中总磷的富集; 武湖沉积物中有机质为内源水生植物和外源陆生植物的混合来源,与总氮具显著正相关关系; 沉积物中重金属含量总体较低,局部呈现高镉,平面上总体北部高于南部; 沉积物中重金属富集程度和潜在风险较低,局部地区镉和铅为轻微富集,镉和汞具中等潜在风险; 沉积物的潜在生态风险为低至中等,潜在生态风险与沉积物中镉的分布高度一致。     

白音诺尔铅锌矿区河流沉积物重金属的形态分布特征

为了研究内蒙古赤峰市巴林左旗白音诺尔铅锌矿区采矿对哈力黑河生态环境造成的影响,从上游向下游采集了6个河流沉积物样品,测定其pH、LOI、粒度以及As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd等5种重金属的总量和赋存形态,并对测试结果进行分析。研究结果表明:（1）1#尾矿库是造成沉积物中Pb、Zn和Cd等重金属显著升高的主要原因。（2）沉积物重金属与粗粉砂（16~63 μm）的相关系数为0.79~0.95,表明重金属易富集于粗粉砂上,而沉积物的pH和有机质对重金属总量的变化影响不显著。（3）沉积物中As和Pb以残渣态和铁锰结合态为主,分别占总量的78.82%~89.87%和36.96%~78.20%。Cu和Zn以残渣态、强有机结合态和铁锰结合态为主,分别占总量的76.38%~85.96%和74.94%~90.34%。Cd则以离子交换态、碳酸盐结合态和强有机结合态为主,占总量的51.15%~79.53%,而离子交换态Cd占了总量的5.72%~49.63%。因此,Cd对河流生态环境的潜在威胁最大。（4）离子交换态Cd与沉积物pH相关系数为-0.813,两者呈极强负相关性。当沉积物pH由弱酸性转化为弱碱性时,离子交换态Cd含量从33.44%降低至5.72%,显著减小。     

山东省小清河沿岸土壤重金属污染分布及迁移规律

通过对山东省小清河流域土壤重金属污染现状的调查研究,查明土壤重金属污染状况,元素来源和分布迁移规律,从而为该区土壤重金属污染的科学治理提供有效依据。研究发现,小清河沿岸地区的重金属污染主要表现为As、Cd、Cr、Ni等元素的污染;依据内梅罗污染指数评价方法发现研究区存在重金属污染的土壤总面积为880.5 km2,未受到重金属污染的土壤面积为1 822.1 km2,分别占全区总土壤面积的32.58%和67.42%,其中上游的济南市城区北园镇至华山镇区域的小清河两岸是重污染区。对小清河流域土壤重金属来源的探析表明,大气干湿沉降是土壤重金属污染的主要来源;土壤重金属的生物有效性评价显示重金属元素Cd的活动态比例高达56.17%,活化迁移能力强,是该区对生态环境危害性最大的污染因子。此外,As、Cd、Cr、Pb等重金属元素的活动态含量明显受pH值和Corg含量的制约,在低pH值、高Corg含量的土壤区应高度重视As和Cd的污染问题。     

雄安新区白洋淀表层沉积物重金属地球化学特征及生态风险评价

【研究目的】白洋淀为雄安新区核心生态功能区,为支撑白洋淀湿地生态修复与保护,系统开展了全淀区表层沉积物环境质量调查。【研究方法】在白洋淀湿地采集表层沉积物样品484组,查明了白洋淀表层沉积物重金属地球化学特征,并采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法等多种方法开展了重金属生态风险评价。【研究结果】白洋淀表层沉积物重金属含量普遍偏高于河北省表层土壤重金属含量背景值,府河入淀口及白沟引河入淀口为重金属元素主要富集区,入淀河流输入为白洋淀重金属主要来源;环境地球化学综合评价结果为清洁无污染等级分布面积144.54 km²,占表层沉积物分布总面积的96.68%;各重金属污染程度由重到轻排序为Cd＞Cu＞Hg＞Pb＞Zn＞Ni＞Cr＞As,Cd元素污染程度等级以中度和偏中度为主,Cu元素以轻度和清洁为主,其他元素以清洁无污染为主;重金属潜在生态风险以轻度和中度为主,河流入淀口所在淀区重金属潜在生态风险高于其他淀区,潜在生态风险由高到低排序为南刘庄＞烧车淀＞小白洋淀＞王家寨＞藻苲淀＞捞王淀＞池鱼淀＞泛鱼淀。【结论】白洋淀表层沉积物环境质量总体较好,南刘庄等局部淀区存在重金属污染潜在生态风险,以Cd元素污染最为突出。创新点：采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法等多种方法,系统评价白洋淀湿地表层沉积物重金属污染程度和生态风险;重金属地球化学特征分析与主成分分析法相结合,揭示表层沉积物重金属污染主要来源为河流输入。     

Partitioning of metals in sediments of the Haraz River (Southern Caspian Sea basin)

The Haraz River flows northwards through the Iranian Alborz mountains in the central region of Mazandaran province and empties into the Caspian Sea. This area has been a rich source of minerals from times immemorial. About 45 mines (coal, limestone, sand and gravel, etc.) have been operational for the last eight decades. Towards the estuary, the river receives a discharge of industrial, agricultural and urban wastes. Eight sediment samples from the Haraz River and its main tributaries were collected and analyzed for base metals as well as Sr and Fe. The chemical partitioning of metals (Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, Co and Sr) in each sample was determined in four fractions (acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable and residual). The total content of each metal was also determined. The results showed relatively higher concentrations of Cd, As, Sr and Pb in comparison to that of shale. However, based on the chemical partitioning of metals, it is found that Pb, Co, Cd and Sr are the most mobile metals. In spite of the high As concentrations in sediments, it is not likely that this element is a major hazard for the aquatic environment, since it is found mainly in the residual fraction. Cadmium is the metal that showed the highest percentages in the acid-soluble fraction (the most labile) and the lowest in the residual fraction. However, 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.     

Distribution and speciation of heavy metals and their sources in Kumho River sediment,Korea

The interaction between heavy metals and river sediment is very important because river sediment is the sink for heavy metals introduced into a river and it can be a potential source of pollutants when environmental conditions change. The Kumho River, the main tributaries of the Nakdong River in Korea, can be one of the interesting research targets in this respect, because it runs through different geologic terrains with different land use characteristics in spite of its short length. Various approaches were used, including mineralogical, geochemical, and statistical analyses to investigate the distribution and behavior of heavy metals in the sediments and their sources. The effect of geological factor on the distribution of these metals was also studied. No noticeable changes in the species or relative amounts of minerals were observed by quantitative X-ray diffraction in the sediments at different stations along the river. Only illite showed a significant correlation with concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments. Based on an average heavy metal concentration (the average concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 1.67, 20.9, 99.7, 125, 97.6, 149, 298 ppm, respectively), the sediments of the Kumho River were classified as heavily polluted according to EPA guidelines. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments were as follows: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Co > Cd. In contrast, contamination levels based on the average I _geo (index of geoaccumulation) values were as follows: Pb > Cd > Zn > Cu > Co = Cr > Ni. The concentrations of heavy metals increased downstream (with the exception of Cd and Pb) and were highest near the industrial area, indicating that industrial activity is the main factor in increasing the concentrations of most heavy metals at downstream stations. Sequential extraction results, which showed increased heavy metal fractions bound to Fe/Mn oxides at the downstream stations, confirmed anthropogenic pollution. The toxicity of heavy metals such as Ni, Cu, and Zn, represented by the exchangeable fraction and the fraction bound to carbonate, also increased at the downstream stations near the industrial complexes. Statistical analysis showed that Pb and Cd, the concentrations of which were relatively high at upstream stations, were not correlated with other heavy metals, indicating other possible sources such as mining activity.     

河北阜平县表层土壤重金属对人体健康的风险评估

河北省阜平县矿产资源丰富,矿产开发会产生大量重金属污染物,近年来大力发展果农业,也会对表层土壤造成一定影响,目前该县表层土壤重金属现状尚不清晰.为评估阜平县农业重点区表层土壤重金属污染特征和对人体健康的影响,本文按照1:5万土地质量调查规范要求,布设标准网格在该县农业重点区采集表层土壤样品647组,采用原子荧光光谱、电...     

Experimental modeling of the immobilization of heavy metals at the carbonate adsorption–precipitation geochemical barrier

Experimental data obtained on the adsorption–precipitation immobilization of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni) from acidic and neutral solutions by calcite and dolomite demonstrate that interaction of solutions of heavy metals with these minerals at pH > 7.8–8.1 leads to a significant decrease in the concentrations of the metals because of the crystallization of carbonates of these metals. Except Pb, which is equally removed from solutions by both minerals, the immobilization efficiency of the metals on dolomite is greater than on calculate at the same pH. Residual Zn, Cd, Co, and Ni concentrations are immobilized by chemosorption, which is the most efficient for Cd and less significant for Co, Ni, and Zn. It is proved that artificial geochemical barriers on the basis of carbonate rocks can be efficiently applied to protect environment from contamination with heavy metals.     

Release of heavy metals during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales in western Hunan,China

Weathering of heavy metal enriched black shales may be one of the most important sources of environmental contamination in areas where black shales are distributed. Heavy metal release during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales (LCBS) in western Hunan, China, was investigated using traditional geochemical methods and the ICP-MS analytical technique. Concentrations of 16 heavy metals, 8 trace elements and P were measured for samples from selected weathering profiles at the Taiping vanadium ore mine (TP), the Matian phosphorous ore mine (MT), and Taojiang stone-coal mine (TJ). The results show that the bedrock at these three profiles is enriched with Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Th, U, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, and P. Based on mass-balance calculation, the percentages of heavy metals released (in % loss) relative to immobile element Nb were estimated. The results show significant rates of release during weathering of: V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, U, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Tl for the TP profile; Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Th, Cd, and Sn for the MT profile; and Sc, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Th, Cd, Sn, and Tl for the TJ profile. Among these heavy metals, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Sn show very similar features of release from each of the three weathering profiles. The heavy metals released during weathering may affect the environment (especially topsoil and surface waters) and are possibly related to an observed high incidence of endemic diseases in the area.     

Effect of municipal wastewaters on bottom sediment geochemistry and benthic foraminifera of two Red Sea coastal inlets, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Al-Arbaeen and Al-Shabab inlets are two Red Sea coastal inlets lying on the mid-coast of Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. Forty-four surface sediment samples were collected from these inlets and surrounding areas during June 2010. Water depths and the overlying environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen) of these samples were measured. Sediment samples were analyzed for variables, such as loss on ignition (LOI, organic matter), CaCO₃, heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb) and benthic foraminifera to assess any changes in the environment of the inlets and surrounding areas. Variables distribution patterns indicated that mud sediments dominated the inlets and enriched by LOI, heavy metals and Ammonia tepida–Quinqueloculina seminula assemblage, whereas coarse (sand–gravel) sediments dominated the substrates of surrounding areas and enriched by CaCO₃ and Coscinospira hemprichii–Peneroplis planatus–Varidentella neostriatula assemblage with low values of LOI and heavy metals. Highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb were recorded inside the inlets, especially near the discharge points, and they were positively correlated with the LOI and mud fraction indicating their affinity to anthropogenic materials. However, highest concentrations of Fe and Mn were typically recorded in the whole study area. These metals were positively correlated with the LOI values of the surrounding area, but in the inlets they were negatively correlated with the LOI, indicating an existence of reducing conditions caused by limited dissolved oxygen conditions at bottom waters of the inlets. Changing the environment within the inlets, according to higher concentrations of heavy metals and LOI, is probably responsible for the existence of the low density and diversity of benthic foraminifera and the absence of (reefal) symbiont-bearing species.